Permanent. Full time, Monday - Friday.

Discover Psychology at Harrogate Grammar School HERE

We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly effective Programme Leader of Psychology to join our successful sixth form team. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the teaching and development of A Level Psychology across Years 12 and 13, shaping a dynamic and ambitious curriculum.

Psychology at HGS is a vibrant and intellectually challenging subject that encourages students to explore the human mind, behaviour and the science behind them. The successful candidate will lead the subject with clarity and purpose, ensuring high-quality teaching, strong outcomes and a culture of curiosity, challenge and academic rigour. The ability to teach Sociology would be an advantage.

Following the AQA specification, the curriculum develops students’ critical, analytical and research skills, equipping them for university and future careers. Students are introduced to key principles of psychological science, including theory development, hypothesis testing and research design, with these ideas revisited to deepen understanding.

Teaching is driven by questioning, discussion and real-world application. Students are encouraged to think like psychologists, challenge assumptions and explore concepts through engaging examples, from everyday behaviour to topics such as memory, social influence and obedience.

A strong emphasis is placed on subject literacy, structured analytical writing and confident discussion. Students design and conduct their own research, developing independence, resilience and intellectual curiosity. Through exploring diverse perspectives they build empathy and leave well prepared for further study and life beyond school.

The Programme Leader will drive standards, support student progress and contribute to the wider success of the sixth form.

About our School

At Harrogate Grammar School we provide a positive and inclusive environment where every student is supported to thrive academically personally and socially. Our dedicated and supportive staff build strong relationships with students families and the wider community creating a culture in which everyone feels valued and empowered. We are committed to high‑quality professional development enabling our staff to continually grow and evolve.

We are proud to be part of the Red Kite Learning Trust whose mission is to nurture ambition deliver excellence and enrich children’s lives through shared values of collaboration integrity and respect. Guided by our vision of ‘Excellence for All’ and our REACH values of Respect Excellence Adventure Commitment and Honesty we foster an ethos of ambition kindness and mutual respect.

Our broad and balanced curriculum is enriched by a wide range of opportunities beyond the classroom including music sport debating the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award school productions and sustainability initiatives. These experiences help our students develop confidence character and a lifelong love of learning.

Our aim is for every student to enjoy their time at school form lasting friendships and leave us as well‑rounded resilient young people ready to contribute positively to society.

Here’s what you can expect when you join us:

• Generous benefits, rewards and discounts: Full details HERE
• Flexible working options: We support work-life balance and are open to exploring suitable arrangements
• Supportive environment: We prioritise respect, equality, diversity, and well-being
• Community culture: Collaboration and generosity are at the heart of our team
• Professional development: We invest in your growth at every stage of your career

For more about Harrogate Grammar School, click the ‘view our careers page’ button.

About You

To be a good fit for this role, you will be:

• An inspiring subject specialist, with strong knowledge of Psychology at A Level and a passion for bringing theory, research and debate to life through engaging and thought‑provoking lessons.
• A curiosity‑driven practitioner, encouraging students to ask ‘what if?’ questions, construct psychological theories, deduce hypotheses and design research to test ideas and conclusions.
• An inclusive and reflective teacher and leader, committed to recognising diversity, challenging bias and helping students understand psychological concepts through real‑world and everyday examples.
• A collaborative and proactive leader, committed to shaping a supportive and forward‑thinking department and wider school community, while continually developing practice and leading others through professional learning.

Next Steps

Let’s Connect: We would love to speak to you to answer any questions you might have about this role or our school. To arrange a convenient time to speak in person, or visit us ahead of applying, please email Jill Todd at hgshr@hgs.rklt.co.uk.

Adjustments: Should you require any adjustments to our recruitment process, please include these within Part Two of our application form under the section ‘Disability and Accessibility’.

Applicant Guidance: Red Kite Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure. We are an equal opportunities employer which welcomes applications from all sectors of the community. We are committed to promoting diversity and want a workforce which reflects the local population of each of our schools. Our recruitment guidelines and privacy notice for applicants can be found HERE.

Ready to Apply: If you have all the info you need, click APPLY NOW to start your application.

Applications will be reviewed as received, so we encourage early application. This role may close early should a suitable candidate be found.