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SalaryTeacher of Social Science (Criminology, psychology and sociology)
Erasmus Darwin Academy is a non-denominational and non-selective Academy, welcoming students of all backgrounds from our local community. Our mission is very clear. To provide ‘Excellence for All’ and to equip students with the knowledge, skills and character in order to prepare them for life in modern Britain. We are incredibly ambitious for our students and believe that providing students with endless opportunities will turn them into confident and determined young people. Our students’ achievements at EDA go beyond the Academic, their achievements as a person are just as important. All students, staff and families support this mission and work hard to make it come alive.
At Erasmus Darwin Academy, every teacher has the right to teach and every student has the right to learn. Our curriculum is broad, balanced and aspirational for all students. Our Academy values are lived and not just laminated. All students are here to learn; reading, writing and oracy are at the heart of our daily curriculum. Our students are taught to be confident, articulate and determined throughout their learning experiences and daily interactions with staff and peers. Our Academy’s Personal Development offer is extensive and extra-curricular activities form a huge part of our CARE curriculum. Our students are specifically taught how to behave via a well-designed behaviour curriculum.
The development of our staff is core to our well-being strategy and central in ensuring that we are able to deliver our mission. We will offer you:
High standards and high expectations whilst ensuring workload is balanced Professional development opportunities to develop both pedagogy and leadership Friendly and supportive staff body Highly compliant and polite students A work laptop Increased non-contact time to allow for further lesson planning and preparation Increased leadership time if you are applying for a leadership role Friendly cover arrangements A visible and supportive Senior Leadership Team A collective team of staff working under our mission to improve the Academy further The successful candidate must demonstrate a strong passion for working with young people and a genuine desire to improve their life chances. They must demonstrate their understanding in the pedagogy of teaching and learning, alongside the skills required for effective classroom management. All candidates must demonstrate their commitment to ensure our students develop as young people and secure the best outcomes possible for their future.
We are seeking to appoint a well-qualified, effective and enthusiastic specialist in Social Sciences to join us at this highly successful, heavily over-subscribed school which is firmly established as one of the highest performing secondary schools in the region (and in the top 10% of schools nationally). We gained ‘Good’ in our 2023 Ofsted inspection and as part of the Local Authority’s quality assurance strategy, we have gained Category 1 status, which is the highest category of school performance, for five years running.
We gained ‘Good’ in our 2023 Ofsted inspection and the following quotes were made by the Inspection Team:
‘Leaders across the school have high expectations for pupils’ academic achievement’
‘Leaders have placed pupils’ personal development at the heart of their curriculum. This means that pupils are well prepared for life in modern Britain’
‘Low level disruption is very rare, and pupils understand leader’s expectations’
‘Leaders in the school have a clear and precise understanding of the provision and priorities for development. They promote an honest and transparent relationship with all staff’
‘Staff take a proactive approach to ensure that all pupils are kept safe. They are tenacious in following up concerns’
‘Leaders are clear about what they want pupils with SEND to achieve’
‘Teachers have good subject knowledge, and support pupils well to learn the curriculum’
‘100% of EDA staff who completed the Ofsted questionnaire stated they were happy to work at EDA’
Social Sciences are a fundamental part of our children’s education. All students have the opportunity to study Sociology in Key Stage 4 and we have a very healthy uptake of Psychology, Criminology and Sociology at Key Stage 5. We offer a number of cultural opportunities linked to our Social Science curriculum.
This position is suitable for ECTs.
We invite applications from excellent classroom practitioners who can motivate, engage and inspire our students and work collaboratively with colleagues.
In return, we offer an incredibly positive working environment, passionately believing that our human resources are our most important and valuable resources. Therefore, our staff wellbeing strategy is at the heart of our ongoing improvement work, meaning that middle and senior leaders are committed to ensuring that all staff are happy, cared for, listened to and professionally equipped to fulfil their role to the highest possible standard. Furthermore, opportunities for career progression regularly arise, with the Academy having an excellent record of training and developing our own teachers and leaders from within.
Salary: Pay range between £30,000 - £46,525 per annum according to the Academy Pay Policy. We welcome visits, arranged via appointment using the email address below.
CLOSING DATE: Friday 22nd March 2024
START DATE: 1st September 2024
To apply for the post, please complete the application form and return to the Headteacher’s PA, Miss Jade Skelding, either by post or email j.skelding@eda.staffs.sch.uk by 9am Fri 22nd March 2024.
For further information regarding the Academy, please visit our website at www.erasmusdarwinacademy.co.uk
OUR SOCIAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
Social Science Curriculum (Key Stage 4)
In Year 10 students are given the option to study Sociology at GCSE. In Years 10-11 students have six hours of Sociology over a fortnight and we have a scheme of learning which follows the AQA GCSE specification. In addition, Sociology has an ambitious curriculum, which has been designed to encourage awe and wonder for an exciting new subject not previously studied. Owing to the discursive nature of the subject, students are encouraged to engage in opportunities in lessons to probe and question Sociological Theories in order to deepen their understanding of a range of Social issues in contemporary society. Quite often Sociology touches on some areas of study previously taught in other subjects and this allows students to appreciate the interconnections between subjects in education, as well as immersing them into a new subject, which widens their curriculum opportunities. Over the duration of the course, we support and encourage students, ensuring that they have the necessary skills in Sociology for the next stage in their life long educational journey, whether that be A Levels, college course or employment.
Advanced Social Science Curriculum (Key Stage 5)
In Years 12 and 13 we study the AQA A Level Sociology and Psychology. In A Level Sociology, we study a number of topics such as Families, Education and Media and for Psychology; we study topics such as Social Influence, Memory, Psychopathology and Schizophrenia. Classes are taught by two members of staff and wherever possible one member of staff will teach all of the lessons for that subject and year group. Years 12 and13 have nine taught hours over the fortnight with students expected to do independent study as well as work in class.
Facilities
The Social Sciences Department has just one dedicated classroom equipped with a projector and Smart Board. There are plans to provide another classroom with similar facilities in the very near future, owing to the increasing numbers of students wishing to study Social Sciences at both KS4 and KS5. There are also a number of visualisers within the department for staff use. A range of bespoke teaching resources are available for all subjects, all easily accessible on a google drive shared area.
Staffing
Our current Social Sciences Team consists of the following staff:
Miss Kerry Toolan (Subject Leader) and Mrs Claire Dodge (Key Stage 4 Progress Leader). Other staffing currently supports the delivery of Psychology. Outcomes in Social Science:
Our attainment outcomes in GCSE Sociology can be seen in the table below.
Sociology
EDA 2022
EDA 2023
Sociology (Grades 7-9)
27%
23%
Sociology (Grades 6-9)
45%
43%
Sociology (Grades 5-9) Strong Pass
70%
57%
Sociology (Grades 4-9) Standard Pass
64%
62%
Our attainment outcomes in A Level Psychology, Criminology and Sociology can be seen in the table below.
Psychology
EDA 2019
EDA 2022
EDA 2023
A*-A
5%
7%
8%
A*-B
19%
44%
20%
A*-E
100%
100%
100%
Sociology
EDA 2019
EDA 2022
EDA 2023
A*-A
30%
23%
11%
A*-B
60%
53%
37%
A*-E
100%
100%
100%
Criminology
EDA 2022
EDA 2023
A*-A
44%
4%
A*-B
83%
38%
A*-E
100%
100%
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to a ‘disclosure’ check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Further details regarding this check are available from schools or by visiting www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service
