Teacher of Religion and Philosophy

Location

Hammersmith and Fulham, Greater London | United Kingdom

Job description

Part-time Teacher of Religion and Philosophy

One-year fixed-term contract

Part-time (0.6FTE)

From September 2024

Salary dependent on experience

The school

St Paul’s Girls’ School is one of the country’s leading independent schools for girls aged 11-18, with approximately 800 students. It is an extraordinary school, offering a classical yet forward-thinking education, rooted in a love of academic discovery and enriched by a broad co-curricular programme, nurturing wellbeing provision and a strong commitment to partnerships and community initiatives. Aspirations and achievements go well beyond what one would normally expect from a school, making St Paul’s Girls’ School an exciting, lively, and stimulating place in which to work.

Students want to make a difference, and many go on to roles tackling some of the greatest challenges facing people and planet. Respect for environmental sustainability is expected of all staff, both in terms of minimising use of resources in daily operations and supporting the school’s aim of preparing students fully for life and work in the mid-21st century.

The department

Religion and Philosophy is taught from Year 7 to A Level. The Lower School (Years 7-9) are allocated 2 lessons a week studying comparative world religions and an introductory course in philosophy. From Year 10, students may choose to study the Edexcel IGCSE. In the Senior School, students study the AQA A Level course in Philosophy which has been selected for its challenge and rigour.

The department is currently staffed by four teachers. The numbers of students taking the A Level and IGCSE in 2023-4 are strong, with 2 and 3 sets in each year, respectively. The academically bright, enthusiastic nature of our students demands that lessons are challenging, dynamic and varied. Lively discussion is a feature of every lesson.

Examination performance is very strong, and a number of students choose to read philosophy-related courses at university, including Philosophy at Cambridge, and PPE and Philosophy and Theology at Oxford. A smaller but regular number of students apply to read single honours Theology. University preparation classes involve close reading of philosophical texts and aspects of theology.

The post and candidate profile

We are looking for an outstanding teacher of Religion and Philosophy to join the department from September 2024. It is a part-time one-year fixed-term position (0.6 FTE) teaching, ideally, across four days although it may be possible to compress this into three. The ideal candidate will be able to teach across the year groups (although the majority of the teaching will be for years 7-11), as well as participate in our varied programme of co-curricular activities. 

The candidate must be an enthusiast for the subject, well-organised and capable of effectively planning teaching and assessment. He or she must be able to demonstrate a love of learning and will understand the commitment required to teach in a highly academic school. Ideally, the successful candidate will have a good degree in Philosophy or Theology.

The school is a secular foundation and Religious Studies, not Religious Education, is taught in the classroom. The school ‘fosters independence and individuality’ and respects the varied faiths of the students and staff. Assemblies are non-religious in character. Nonetheless the Foundation states that, ‘Religious instructions consistent with the doctrines of the Church of England shall be given to pupils in attendance…’ This article is interpreted with considerable latitude, but the successful candidate will be at ease with both this stipulation and with the School’s traditional link to the Colet Foundation and the annual Founder’s Service at St Paul’s Cathedral.

The successful candidate will be expected to play a full part in the varied co-curricular life of the school and to share in the running and organisation of co-curricular activities, many of which take place outside normal school hours and sometimes during the holidays.

Application and interview procedures

Please submit applications using the forms provided on our website .

The school will shortlist applications as they are received and interviews may be arranged on a rolling basis, so early application is recommended.

Applications should be as soon as possible and by a closing date of Thursday 14 March.

We will consider applications as they arrive but it is likely that we will interview in the week commencing Monday 18 March. As part of this process, candidates will be expected to teach a lesson of 35 minutes for which a full prior briefing will be given.

St Paul’s Girls’ School is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and overseas police checks

St Paul’s Girls’ School is a “registered body” under the Police Act 1997 because employment here involves access to children under the age of 18. This post will require an enhanced DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly Criminal Records Bureau) before we can confirm an offer of employment. Unless you are a member of the DBS Update Service you will need to apply for a new disclosure, even if you already hold one. Former members of staff who are not on the Update Service who re-join us also require fresh disclosures, unless less than three months have passed between their leaving and their re-employment date. If you have lived or worked abroad for a period of 3 months or more during the past 10 years you will also need to provide appropriate paperwork, such as a police certificate of good conduct, from the countries you have lived in.

Safeguarding guidelines

The post-holder’s responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom they are responsible, or with whom they come into contact, will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with our child protection policy statement at all times. If, in the course of carrying out the duties of the post, the post-holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children at St Paul’s Girls’ School, they must report any concerns to our safeguarding designated lead or to the High Mistress.

Closing date: Thursday 14 March, 4pm

Interviews: Week commencing Monday 18 March

We will be undertaking online checks for all shortlisted candidates in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023.

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