Head of Social Sciences

The purpose of your role will be:

• To be accountable for leading, managing and developing the subject area.


• To raise standards of student attainment and achievement within the whole subject/curriculum area and to monitor and support student progress.


• To ensure the provision of an appropriately broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum for students studying in the department, in accordance with the aims of the academy and the curricular policies determined by the Governing Body and Principal.


• To teach the relevant subject across the age and ability range.


• To facilitate and encourage a learning experience which provides students with the opportunity to achieve their individual potential.


• To effectively manage and deploy staff, financial and physical resources within the department.


• To share and support the school’s responsibility to provide and monitor opportunities for personal and academic growth.

Your main areas of responsibility will fall under the areas of:

• Operational and strategic planning (including formulating the subject and faculty improvement plans, and leading the development of appropriate syllabuses, resources, schemes of work, marking policies, assessment and teaching strategies)


• Ensuring the delivery of an appropriate, comprehensive, high quality and cost effective curriculum and leading development of the subject and its delivery


• Staff development (including recruiting, building and managing an effective team of motivated staff)


• Student outcomes (including ensuring the effective operation of target setting, monitoring and evaluation systems and the input and maintenance of accurate student data)


• Pastoral system (including being a form tutor to a selected group of students)


• Teaching, including acting as an outstanding role model

We would like to hear from you if you:

• Hold QTS (or equivalent) and a relevant undergraduate degree, and, ideally, management training


• Demonstrate successful teaching of GCSE at good or better level


• Have experience of initiation and effective management of change


• Show evidence of raising achievement in present post and showing good value added for groups


• Have knowledge of current curriculum developments in subject and their implications


• Have good knowledge and understanding of current educational thinking


• Show good understanding of how children learn and how to raise standards of achievement


• Have good communication skills in speech and writing


• Display excellent organisational skills


• Are able to build and sustain professional standards and relationships with students


• Are able to contribute towards creating a safe and protective environment

For a full job description and person specification, please download the Job Pack.

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.

Our core values of determination, integrity, curiosity and empathy inspire and nurture a passion for learning and success with a strong sense of inclusivity, individuality and responsibility. We use our voices purposefully as global citizens.

The foundations of achieving our vision are:

• Outstanding curriculum, with outstanding quality and breadth of education


• Exceptional teachers who support students' passion for learning with the tools for success for every individual


• Relationships, routines and recognition that lead to a sense of belonging, wellbeing, mutual respect and exemplary behaviour both within Harris Lowe Academy Willesden and in our local community


• Post-16 excellence with a broad range of pathways, sporting academies and inspiring student leaders


• Arts and sports specialisms that embed essential skills and enable exceptional performance

Our moral purpose is to ensure our students and staff have access to the best possible futures and contribute positively to society through an outstanding careers/development programme, excellent leadership, and coaching.

From its origins as the first city academy, the exceptional education we provide takes advantage of the opportunities offered by our privileged location and facilities in the most vibrant, multi-cultural city in the world. The enthusiasm, discipline and ambition of our students combined with the high expectations, outstanding teaching and creative dedication of our staff makes our vision a reality.