IB Diploma Programme Individuals & Societies Teacher

About Liberty Woodland School Sixth Form

Liberty Woodland School is opening an exciting new Sixth Form in September 2027, extending our IB provision into post-16 education.

Our Sixth Form will combine strong academic outcomes with the development of independent, thoughtful and capable young adults. We aim to provide students with a highly personalised experience in which they are well known, appropriately challenged and prepared for university, apprenticeships and the wider world.

As a new and growing Sixth Form, we are seeking enthusiastic, knowledgeable and adaptable teachers who are excited by the opportunity to help establish and shape our IB Diploma Programme (DP) provision.

The Role

We are seeking an excellent part-time Individuals & Societies teacher to join our new Sixth Form from June 2027.

The successful candidate will have the subject knowledge and enthusiasm to deliver one or more IB Diploma Programme Individuals & Societies subjects. Our anticipated provision includes:

• Business Management

• Psychology

• Geography

• Other DP Individuals & Societies subjects, depending on student choices and the expertise of the successful candidate.

We recognise that Business Management, Psychology and Geography are distinct subject specialisms and do not expect candidates necessarily to be able to teach all three. We welcome applications from teachers with expertise in one or more of these areas.

The exact teaching allocation and part-time commitment will be determined by student subject choices and the successful candidate's qualifications, experience and areas of expertise.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who would enjoy helping to shape a new Sixth Form and its curriculum from the outset.

Key Responsibilities

Teaching and Learning

The successful candidate will:

• Plan and deliver high-quality, engaging lessons that meet the requirements of the IB Diploma Programme.

• Teach at Standard Level and/or Higher Level as required.

• Develop students' subject knowledge, conceptual understanding, critical thinking and independent learning skills.

• Create learning experiences that encourage inquiry, discussion, analysis, research and the application of knowledge to real-world contexts.

• Maintain high academic expectations while providing appropriate support and challenge for individual students.

• Use assessment effectively to identify strengths, areas for development and appropriate next steps.

• Provide regular, constructive feedback that enables students to make progress.

• Prepare students effectively for DP internal and external assessments.

• Support students in developing effective study, research and examination skills.

IB Diploma Programme

The successful candidate will:

• Develop and maintain a strong understanding of the philosophy, requirements and assessment practices of the IB Diploma Programme.

• Plan and teach in accordance with the relevant IB subject guide.

• Embed relevant Approaches to Teaching and Approaches to Learning (ATL) within the curriculum.

• Promote the attributes of the IB Learner Profile.

• Support students with Internal Assessments and other subject-specific coursework while maintaining IB expectations regarding academic integrity.

• Participate in standardisation, moderation and collaborative planning where appropriate.

• Contribute to interdisciplinary and cross-curricular opportunities across the Diploma Programme.

• Engage with relevant IB professional development and remain informed about changes to DP curriculum and assessment requirements.

• Make connections, where appropriate, between their subject and the DP Core, including TOK, CAS and the Extended Essay.

• Be willing to supervise Extended Essays within an appropriate subject area.

Previous IB Diploma Programme teaching experience is desirable but not essential. Appropriate professional development and IB training can be provided for teachers who are new to the Diploma Programme.

Curriculum Development

As a member of the founding Sixth Form teaching team, the successful candidate will play an important role in developing our provision. This may include:

• Developing schemes of work and curriculum maps for their DP subject(s).

• Selecting appropriate learning resources and digital platforms.

• Developing assessment calendars and approaches to tracking student progress.

• Contributing to decisions about future Individuals & Societies subject provision as student numbers increase.

• Working collaboratively with colleagues to establish consistently high expectations across the Sixth Form.

• Helping to develop a culture of academic curiosity, independence and intellectual challenge.

The successful candidate should therefore be comfortable working within a developing provision and willing to contribute ideas, expertise and initiative.

Student Support

The successful candidate will:

• Develop positive and professional relationships with Sixth Form students.

• Monitor academic progress and respond promptly where students require additional support or challenge.

• Encourage students to become increasingly responsible for managing their own learning.

• Support students in developing effective organisation, time management and independent study habits.

• Communicate effectively with parents and carers regarding student progress where appropriate.

• Work collaboratively with pastoral and academic colleagues to support students' wellbeing and achievement.

• Contribute to university, apprenticeship and careers preparation where this relates to their subject expertise.

Wider Contribution

As a member of a new Sixth Form team, the successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the wider development of our post-16 provision. This may include:

• Supporting Sixth Form information evenings, open days and recruitment events.

• Contributing to enrichment opportunities, trips, visiting speakers and academic activities.

• Supporting students with university and apprenticeship applications where appropriate.

• Participating in relevant staff meetings, professional development and collaborative planning.

• Contributing to the development of Sixth Form policies, procedures and academic expectations.

• Supporting the continued development of the IB ethos across Liberty Woodland School.

• Playing an active role in establishing the culture and identity of our new Sixth Form.

Safeguarding

Liberty Woodland School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Maintain the highest standards of professional conduct and safeguarding practice.

• Follow the school's safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures.

• Complete all required safeguarding training.

• Report concerns promptly in accordance with school procedures.

• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with students.

The successful applicant will be subject to the school's safer recruitment procedures, including appropriate references, identity and qualification checks and an enhanced DBS check.

Person Specification

Essential

The successful candidate will:

• Have strong subject knowledge in at least one relevant Individuals & Societies discipline.

• Have the qualifications and/or experience necessary to teach one or more of Business Management, Psychology or Geography at post-16 level.

• Demonstrate the potential to deliver high-quality teaching within the IB Diploma Programme.

• Have high expectations for student achievement and personal development.

• Be able to develop positive and respectful relationships with young people.

• Understand the importance of inquiry, critical thinking and independent learning within post-16 education.

• Be able to assess student work accurately and use assessment to improve learning.

• Demonstrate excellent communication, organisation and interpersonal skills.

• Be willing to contribute to curriculum development within a new Sixth Form.

• Be able to work collaboratively while also demonstrating initiative and independence.

• Be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people.

• Be committed to ongoing professional learning and development.

Desirable

It would be advantageous for candidates to have:

• Previous experience teaching the IB Diploma Programme.

• Experience teaching at Key Stage 5 or an equivalent post-16 qualification.

• Experience teaching Business Management, Psychology and/or Geography at DP, A Level or equivalent.

• The ability to teach more than one Individuals & Societies subject.

• Experience teaching both Standard Level and Higher Level courses.

• Experience supervising Extended Essays or similar independent research projects.

• Experience supporting Internal Assessments or substantial coursework.

• Experience with TOK, CAS or other elements of the DP Core.

• Experience contributing to the establishment or development of a new Sixth Form or academic programme.

• IB-recognised professional development or a willingness to undertake appropriate IB training.

The Person We Are Looking For

We are particularly interested in teachers who are excited by the opportunity to help build something new.

The successful candidate will be academically ambitious for students while recognising that excellent Sixth Form education involves much more than examination results. They will value relationships, independence, curiosity and the development of young people who can think critically, communicate confidently and take responsibility for their learning.

They will be flexible and comfortable working within a growing Sixth Form where subject provision and teaching hours may develop in response to student numbers and subject choices.

This part-time position, commencing in September 2027, provides an opportunity to join Liberty Woodland School at an important stage in its development and to play a significant role in establishing a distinctive, ambitious and forward-thinking Sixth Form.

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