AddressHEAD OF HISTORY AND POLITICS
Information for Applicants
We are delighted that you are considering joining Putney High School. This is an incredible
community in which to teach, work and learn and this role offers an opportunity to play a part in
one of the UK’s most exciting and successful schools.
Based in Putney, SW London, with a reputation for academic excellence and expert pastoral
care, we are a down-to-earth, innovative and unashamedly ambitious school where girls
achieve exceptional results and go on to an array of impressive destinations in the UK and
abroad.
The wealth of passions our pupils pursue is testament to an education that is intellectually thrilling
and fun, and to a dedicated staff body who interest, inspire and support our students to thrive.
We are known for our pioneering initiatives in everything from biophilia and design thinking to the
science of learning, and for our leading co-curricular programme. Our superb facilities include a
purpose-built Sixth Form Centre, a cutting-edge centre for Science, Music, Drama and Debating
and the only girls’ school boathouse on a famous stretch of the River Thames.
With a focus on continued professional development, membership of leading organisations and a
superb package of personal benefits provided by the GDST, this is an opportunity to join a warm
and inclusive organisation which has been a powerful voice in education for over 150 years, and
to enjoy the camaraderie of a fantastic group of colleagues.
Thank you for your interest in our school. We hope you will make an application and we very
much look forward to meeting you.
Jo Sharrock
Headteacher
MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD
At Putney High School we are:
INNOVATIVE - Forward-thinking in our approach to
teaching and learning, ours is a culture that is
modern, relevant and inspires the idea-makers of the
future.
INCLUSIVE - We offer a holistic education that
focusses on the individual and is outward looking -
encouraging integrity, compassion, respect and social
responsibility.
INTREPID - Interested and interesting, we are
unafraid to stretch our wings and to blaze trails,
curious to explore and to challenge limits.
INTELLECTUAL - Scholarly in our approach to
learning, we are creative in our thinking and bold in
our ambitions.
OUR VALUES
THE SCHOOL
Academic with a very modern edge, Putney is a dynamic
and down-to-earth school that nurtures bright and
imaginative students.
Our unique brand of modern scholarship provides an
outstanding education that is bold, broad and above all,
relevant. We prepare students for the future by building
confident, hopeful young people, with agile, entrepreneurial
mindsets, equipping them with skills in everything from
design thinking to PPE. Our students go on to become
leaders in fields from medicine to politics, architecture to
the environment. Curiosity abounds with fun and
challenging lessons across an exceptionally rich curriculum
and with exciting co-curricular activities to match.
The school is set on a leafy campus in Putney, close to the
River Thames. As the largest school of the Girls’ Day
School Trust (GDST) we have been leading the way in girls’
education since 1893 and today provide a happy and
progressive environment in which over 1000 pupils aged
between 4 and 18 years old can flourish.
We are consistently ranked among the top performing
schools both in London and the UK and are known for
producing young people who are ambitious, rounded and
responsible. They pursue their interests with passion and
humour while building the skills, self-awareness and
confidence to throw open doors and make their mark in the
world.
THE DEPARTMENT & THE ROLE
THE HISTORY & POLITICS
DEPARTMENT
Through the study of History at Putney students gain not
only an understanding of the past but of the world in
which they find themselves. In our teaching, we place
great importance on the role of debate and discussion,
developing a deep enjoyment of academic challenge,
and engendering a passion for uncovering past worlds.
In Year 7, 8 and 9 students follow a broadly
chronological study from 1066 until 1945 taking in
aspects of British History, the Islamic World, Empire, the
Transatlantic Slave Trade and the World Wars.
History is a popular choice at GCSE. We study Edexcel
iGCSE completing units on the Russian Revolution,
Stalinist Russia, the Cold War and China, 1900-1989. At
A-Level we study Edexcel History taking in units on
America, Indian Independence, and Tudor Rebellions.
We offer students a free choice of topic for their
coursework.
In Politics, we follow the AQA A Level syllabus, studying
UK and US politics in Year 12 and political ideologies in
Year 13. Our classes embrace the fast-changing,
debate-driven nature of the study of Politics and this,
combined with our thriving Politics Society, contributes to
the ongoing popularity of Politics A Level.
Our History and Politics students are passionate about
the topics they study and a large majority of our A Level
students go on to study History or Politics related
courses at university.
Accountable to:
Deputy Head (Academic)
Salary:
GDST Teachers scale
Dependent on Experience
Hours:
Full Time
Starting:
September 2024
In recent years we have had considerable success in
supporting applications to Oxford and Cambridge for
History, History and Politics, PPE and HSPS.
We offer extensive co-curricular opportunities to
students to support their learning in lessons. There are
thriving student-led History and Politics Societies that
give students the opportunity to present on topics that
interest them, lead discussion and debates and co-
ordinate events such as mock elections, assemblies,
and conferences. As well as day trips, we run regular
residential trips to Berlin and Ypres and have run trips to
the USA and Krakow in the past.
The department currently consists of 5 teachers. We are
also supported by a GDST Consultant Teacher and a
supportive group of History Heads of Department from
across the Trust.
THE PERSON
The successful candidate will have the following key skills and attributes:
Skills Required
Leadership;The ability to lead and manage people to
work towards a common goal.
Decision making skills: The ability to solve problems
and make decisions.
Teamwork: the ability to work collaboratively with
others.
Communication skills: the ability to make points
clearly and understand the views of others.
Self management skills: The ability to plan time
effectively and organise oneself well.
Knowledge Base
Excellent professional knowledge and understanding.
Excellent subject knowledge.
Understanding of national and examination curricular
requirements of the subject.
Up to date with professional developments in the
subject and other aspects of education.
Qualifications/Attainment
Qualified teacher status.
Good honours degree.
Post graduate qualifications desirable.
Experience
Experience as a subject teacher from KS3-5.
Experience of teaching A level and GCSE in the
subject for at least 2 cycles.
Experience of a management role desirable.
Experience of organising or participating in
extracurricular activities.
Attitude/Approach
Ability to enthuse.
Possess a positive attitude and approach to change
and development.
Enjoy rising to the challenges inherent in a school
environment.
Lifelong learner.
JOB DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership and management of others
Lead and manage the department, recruiting,
inducting, developing, deploying, motivating and
appraising members of the department to ensure that
they have clear expectations of their roles, and that
high performance standards are achieved and
maintained.
Empower members of the department to develop their
leadership potential to ensure continuous
improvement within the department.
Manage day to day requirements such as examination
entry and departmental timetables, delegating as
appropriate, to ensure the efficiency of the
department.
Chair departmental meetings to ensure that they are
used effectively to review performance and that
actions are recorded and implemented.
Regularly review and update department handbook.
Teaching and learning
Promote excellence in teaching and learning to
ensure all pupils develop their potential and are
equipped for life beyond school.
Exemplify in your own practice the skills of teaching
and learning typified by lead professionals and ensure
that good practice is shared throughout the
department.
Ensure that schemes of work are used, reviewed, and
modified to enable the maintenance and development
of high standards of teaching and learning.
Monitor pupils’ work and the classroom practice of
those in the department to ensure high standards are
maintained.
Keep up to date with developments in the subject area
and education in general to ensure that best practice
is adopted within the department.
Ensure the department’s delivery and development of
the curriculum is effective in meeting the needs of all
pupils.
Contribute to the broader life of the school by
supporting and leading curricular and extra-curricular
events.
Policy/Strategic direction and development
Contribute to whole school policy-making and
strategic planning as required by the Head.
Prepare, monitor, and update annual departmental
development plans in consultation with colleagues.
Take the lead in ensuring that school policies and
strategies are embedded in schemes of work and
departmental plans.
Monitoring, evaluation & assessment
Ensure that within the department individual pupil
progress is regularly assessed, recorded, and
reported and used to inform future teaching.
Monitor pupil progress through the use of
performance and benchmarked data to ensure that
high standards of learning are achieved and
maintained.
JOB DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBILITIES
Extra-curricular activities
Actively promote interest in History and Politics
outside the immediate physical and timetabled
confines of the department.
Marketing and external links, including public
occasions
Actively promote the department within the school
community to encourage pupils’ interest in the subject
area.
Contribute to the positive promotion and marketing of
the school and the GDST in the local and wider
community.
Lead the department’s contribution to marketing
events and external links.
Management of resources
Monitor and control the department’s allocated budget
and purchasing arrangements, to ensure the efficient
and effective use of all resources.
Identify future resourcing needs and aspirations for
the department for consideration in the school budget
planning process.
Ensure that all resources are fit for purpose and used
in accordance with health and safety guidelines.
Training & development of self and others
As a lead professional, set personal targets and take
responsibility for own continuous professional
development.
Be proactive in identifying training needs within the
department, ensuring that they are appropriately met,
and that all members of the department are active in
their own personal and continuous professional
development.
The school is part of the Girls Day School Trust, the UK’s leading network of 25 girls’ schools. As a member of the
GDST, the largest network of its kind, Putney is able to share resources to offer students an education like no-other,
and to connect staff within a supportive framework of like-minded educationalists.
As part of the GDST we can offer a variety of benefits:
WORKING FOR THE GDST
Competitive salaries compared with the state sector and other Independent schools
Access to extensive professional development opportunities
Training grants for qualifications
Generous GDST pension schemes
A discount of up to 50% on fees for children at GDST schools
Interest-free loans for training, computer purchase loans and travel season ticket loans
A Cycle to Work scheme
An extensive employee assistance programme
Competitive terms and conditions of employment
Within your application form, please complete a
detailed personal statement (section 5) instead of a
covering letter.
Please review the Job Description and ensure you
highlight how your skills and experience meet these
expectations.
Send all completed application forms to
recruitment@put.gdst.net
NB. CVs are not accepted without a fully completed
application form.
Closing Date: Monday 18 March 2024 at 9am.
Interviews will take place Wednesday 27 March 2024.
Any candidate wishing to seek additional information
should contact:
Email: recruitment@put.gdst.net
Tel: +44 (0)20 8788 4886
HOW TO APPLY
Candidates who are invited to interview will be required
to bring original identification documents (e.g. passport)
and if applicable proof of eligibility to work/reside in the
UK as well as documents confirming educational and
professional qualifications. A confirmation of your
address within the last three months is also required.
Putney High School and the GDST are committed to
safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and
applicants must be willing to undergo child protection
screening appropriate to the post, including checks with
past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
At Putney High School, we embrace and celebrate
difference. We are proud to be an equal opportunity
employer and do not discriminate against any employee
or applicant based on their age, disability, gender,
marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy and
maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual
orientation. To ensure this, all positions are subject to
blind shortlisting.
