HOS History in Rugby

Houlton School is a dynamic and ambitious secondary school located in the heart of Rugby’s growing Houlton community. As part of the Transforming Lives Educational Trust (TLET), we are committed to delivering a high-quality, future-focused education that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and character to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Opened in 2021, Houlton School combines state-of-the-art facilities with a strong sense of tradition and community. Our stunning campus blends award-winning contemporary architecture with the iconic heritage of the former Rugby Radio Station, creating an inspiring environment for teaching and learning. With a curriculum built on academic rigour, creativity, and innovation, and a pastoral system designed to support every learner, Houlton School is an exciting place to work and grow. We are seeking passionate, forward-thinking professionals who want to be part of something truly special as we continue to shape the future of education.

At Houlton School, we are looking for an outstanding Head of Subject: History who is passionate about developing young people. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a thriving department, inspire outstanding teaching and learning, direct high-quality productions, and create unforgettable experiences that enable every pupil to flourish. If you are an innovative leader who thrives on collaboration, has high expectations for pupil achievement, and is ready to make a lasting impact within a forward-thinking school community, we would love to hear from you.

JOB PURPOSE: To provide high-quality leadership, management, and strategic direction for the department. The Head of Subject will ensure an inspiring, safe, and inclusive learning environment that drives high standards of pupil attainment, fosters creative expression, and champions the school’s ethos. As a subject leader, you will deliver excellent teaching, oversee the curriculum, manage departmental resources, and enrich the school community through vibrant co-curricular activities.

MAIN ROLE AND RESPONSIBILIES

Leadership, Management & Staff Development

• Departmental Oversight: Lead, manage, and deploy staff within the department effectively to secure high-quality teaching and learning.
• Performance Management: Actively engage in line management duties, supporting the professional development and performance tracking of departmental colleagues.
• Collaborative Culture: Foster a supportive environment within the team, participating in and promoting the school's robust Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes.
• Policy Implementation: Ensure all departmental operations strictly align with school policies, including Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety, and Child Protection. Teaching, Learning & Curriculum Design
• Exemplary Teaching: Undertake a designated programme of teaching, delivering stimulating, high-quality lessons tailored to the diverse educational needs of all pupils.
• Curriculum Development: Prepare, regularly update, and innovate schemes of learning and subject materials that meet internal and external quality standards.
• Core Skills Integration: Ensure that essential Literacy and Numeracy skills are naturally embedded into the learning experience.
• Behaviour & Environment: Maintain excellent discipline and a positive learning environment using restorative practices. Enforce high expectations regarding uniform, punctuality, and respectful behaviour. Pupil Achievement, Assessment & Tracking
• Data-Driven Progress: Utilise assessment data at a departmental level to set ambitious targets, monitor pupil progress, and implement timely interventions.
• Records & Reporting: Meticulously record and report on pupil attendance, development, and attainment. Formulate high-quality oral and written reports, assessments, and references.
• Systems Management: Actively and accurately utilise school Management Information Systems (SIMS, CPOMS, and Edulink) to log incidents, achievements, and tracking data.
• Rewards & Feedback: Oversee the consistent application of the school’s Rewards, Feedback, and Reporting policies within the department. Co-Curricular & Community Engagement
• Extended Learning: Promote and lead vibrant co-curricular Drama activities, productions, and clubs beyond the taught day to extend pupil learning and foster personal growth.
• School Marketing: Actively represent the department and support school marketing efforts by participating in Open Evenings, Parents’ Evenings, Review Days, and primary school liaison events.
• External Partnerships: Establish and maintain positive links with external creative agencies, practitioners, and community bodies to enhance the profile of Houlton School.

Resource & Environment Management

• Budget & Procurement: Oversee the strategic allocation, ordering, and management of equipment, and materials within the department.
• Resource Sharing: Collaborate with the wider team to ensure resources are shared efficiently and equitably for the maximum benefit of the pupils.
• Safe Learning Spaces: Ensure that all drama studios and performance spaces are safe, inspiring, well-maintained, and compliant with Health & Safety policies. Promptly report any facility concerns to the Site Manager.

This job description is current at the date shown, but following consultation with you, may be changed by leadership to reflect or anticipate changes in the job which are commensurate with the salary and job title. Safeguarding To be aware that all staff are responsible for the safeguarding and promotion of the welfare of children

As an employee within the TLET family, you can expect standard contractual benefits including sick pay, holiday pay, pensions* and pay reviews in accordance with STPCD and NJC national guidelines.

In addition, we are pleased to offer the current additional benefits for our staff:

• Access to the Health Assured employee assistance programme
• One "Thank You Day" per annum
• Eye care vouchers
• A cycle to work scheme
• Clothing (including coats) to be provided in accordance with PPE requirements across all sites

Where possible, we also aim to signpost opportunities for our staff to access discounts and special offers for the education sector. Recent examples have included:

• Gym membership in accordance with the agreed local discount
• Teacher discounts with certain retailers

• Further relevant qualifications / CPD
• Experience teaching History at KS5.
• Working with children with English as an Additional Language and/or SEND.
• Experience in leading a team
• Experience of planning and sequencing a curriculum
• Evidence of understanding of current research and pedagogy within the department

• QTS
• Degree in History or related subject
• Experience teaching History at KS3 and KS4
• Demonstrable enthusiasm for working with young people.
• Demonstrable experience of strong communication skills and high-quality teaching.
• Experience / confidence to lead a team.
• Ability to develop knowledge and understanding of the key concepts in History
• Evidence of understanding young people’s emotional and educational needs
• Knowledge of responsive and adaptive teaching
• Knowledge of behaviour management strategies
• Excellent numeracy and literacy skills
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• A good working knowledge of computer software packages including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Good time management skills
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information and issues appropriately
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to take responsibility and work with autonomy within set boundaries
• To establish good working relationships at all levels – pupils, teachers, senior management, board of trustees etc.
• Ability to self-evaluate learning needs and actively seek CPD
• Able to monitor and evaluate teaching, learning and school policy
• Able to identify the necessary resources which ensure high quality teaching and learning
• Able to assess the needs of individuals to inform the targeting of individual needs
• Calm
• Confident
• Flexible
• Reliable
• Professional and confident
• Committed to providing co-curriculum opportunities for pupils