Head of Department – History and RS

Salary: MPS/UPS + TLR 2 (£7,042)   

Responsible to: Senior Leadership Team Member    

Contract: Full-time, permanent

Framework: To work within the framework of teachers’ pay and conditions, current legislation and the policies of the school.

Murray Park School, an 11-16 foundation school, is a rewarding and professionally stimulating place to work. Over the past five years, we have undergone rapid and sustained improvement, moving from a Requires Improvement judgement to Good (September 2022), alongside significant improvements in Progress 8 outcomes. We are over-subscribed and will reach  maximum capacity of 1400 students in September 2027, reflecting the confidence in the school from our community. We are now entering the next phase of our development and are seeking high-quality staff who share our ambition to continue improving outcomes for all students.

Our approach is underpinned by a warm-strict culture: we combine consistently high expectations with genuine care, ensuring every student feels a strong sense of belonging while being fully prepared for their future. This is realised through clear routines, shared practices, and a collective commitment to getting the small things right every day. Staff who thrive here are those who value consistency, clarity, and a culture of continual improvement.

The successful candidate will:

• Be committed to securing the best possible outcomes for all students, particularly those who are disadvantaged or vulnerable.
• Demonstrate strong subject expertise and a clear understanding of effective pedagogy using evidence informed practice.
• Maintain consistently high expectations and uphold our shared routines and practices.
• Value continual improvement, both personally and across a team, with a willingness to engage in coaching and professional dialogue.

For leadership posts, we are additionally looking for colleagues who:

• Can coach and develop others, fostering a culture where all staff continually improve.
• Are thoughtful curriculum leaders, able to apply evidence-informed practice and cognitive science principles to curriculum design and implementation.
• Contribute meaningfully to whole-school priorities as part of the wider leadership team.

Staff at Murray Park benefit from:

• A genuine commitment to staff wellbeing, with careful consideration given to workload when introducing new initiatives.
• Flexible working opportunities, including the ability to work off-site at points during the week.
• High levels of staff retention, with most vacancies arising through school growth rather than turnover.
• A centralised and robust behaviour system, including internal Alternative Provision, ensuring classrooms remain disruption-free.
• A comprehensive CPD programme rooted in evidence-informed practice and professional collaboration.
• A clear and consistent approach to teaching, balancing high-quality shared practice with professional autonomy.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should a suitable number of applications be received. As such, an early application is encouraged.