What makes Ridgewood  School Special?

At Ridgewood School we are extremely proud of our school and the high quality of education that we provide, including our popular and highly successful Sixth Form. Our school motto, ‘Prepare for the road ahead,’ represents our belief in preparing our students for their future, not only in terms of academic achievement, but also in terms of the training, enrichment and experiences which will enable them to become model citizens and responsible members of the community. Our school values: Respect-Responsibility-Resilience, underpin what we do every day and contribute to our ethos in everything we undertake as a school community. In our most recent Ofsted, we achieved a ‘Good’ rating in all categories, and we are committed to this trajectory of success for our students as we aspire to move from ‘Good to Great.’ As part of this journey, in July 2023, we joined Leger Education Trust and collaborate with other schools within the trust to develop both our students and staff and be the very best that we can be.

We are seeking an inspiring Deputy Curriculum Lead for RE and PSHCE to join our dedicated and highly professional team. Committed to excellence and continuous professional development, we pride ourselves on being a supportive and collaborative department where staff are encouraged to grow and innovate. We are passionate about ensuring our students experience a rich, inclusive curriculum that equips them to lead happy, healthy lives now and into adulthood, enabling them to thrive in a diverse and ever-changing world. This role offers an exciting opportunity to help drive the department forward across RE at KS3, KS4 Core RE, KS4 GCSE Option RE and KS5 RE, alongside PSHCE from Year 7 to Year 13, shaping both strategic direction and classroom practice to ensure the very best outcomes for all learners

Why is the role of Deputy Curriculum Lead of RE/PSHCE right for you?

We are committed to offering the staff who work at Ridgewood every opportunity to become the best they can be. Our training packages, for staff at all stages of their careers, are second to none. As well as our whole school and departmental training, we also offer a personalised coaching programme, NPQs and bespoke CPD, relevant to the person’s role.  In 2025, we received the Teacher Development Trust Gold Award, demonstrating our commitment and passion to providing excellent CPD for all teaching and associate staff.

If you are seeking a dynamic, innovative and caring school, dedicated to the development of staff and our students’ success, Ridgewood is the school for you.

We strongly encourage visits from potential candidates – please contact the school to arrange this.

The closing date for this post is 9am Friday 13 March 2026. Interviews will be held soon after.

Ridgewood School reserve the right to close this advert prior to the closing date above.

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants will undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers. The role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS certificate, the role is engaged in regulated activity and will therefore require a children’s barred list check. Shortlisted Applicants will be required to complete a self-disclosure.

The school operates a no smoking policy.

Purpose of the role

·        The post holder will help lead the RE/PSHCE Department, ensuring the teaching and learning in RE/PSHCE is of a consistently high quality, resulting in high levels of attainment and progress for students at all stages and levels of ability. 

·         The post holder will provide the staff they manage and lead with clear direction and support, resulting in a high performing team, whilst also working collaboratively as a member of the RE/PSHCE leadership team.

The post holder will play a key part in raising standards in the RE/PSHCE department, through their own excellent teaching and by supporting the professional development of their colleagues.

General responsibilities

·         To implement and support the aims of the school.

·         To support the implementation of the school improvement plan.

·         To work towards high standards in teaching and learning.

·         To actively maintain order and discipline.

·         To support the implementation of school policies.

·         To maintain practices which ensure the highest standard of pastoral care.

·         To attend meetings as and when required.

·         To undertake duties of a form teacher.

·         To liaise with parents where appropriate.

·         To actively seek opportunities for personal development.

·         To undertake such activities as can be reasonably expected by the headteacher.

·         Subject Teacher Responsibilities 

          To support all agreed initiatives by the department and school.

·         To encourage students to achieve the highest standards of work possible.

·         To make sure that all students have an equal opportunity to succeed.

·         To ensure that the learning environment is neat and well organised.

·         To ensure that high quality resources are used within the classroom.

·         To ensure that a variety of teaching methods and styles are used.

·         To undertake accurate and relevant assessment of students.

·         To work with the curriculum to produce up-to-date and relevant schemes of work.

·         To support initiatives developed by the pastoral team.

·         To work closely with the Curriculum Leader.

·         To assist the Curriculum Leader in meeting curriculum targets.

·         To take prime responsibility for designated aspects of curriculum administration.

·         To substitute for the Curriculum Leader when necessary.

·         To assist in the monitoring and evaluation of pupil progress and standards of work in the department.

·         To contribute to establishing strategies for maintaining effective pupil discipline within the department, dealing with referrals in accordance with school policy.

·         To assist the Curriculum Leader in the production of department self-evaluation and the department development plan.

·         To ensure that order and discipline are of a high standard within the department.

·         To encourage the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of young people in the department.

·         To assist the Curriculum Leader in the effective leadership and management of the department including:

•          assisting the Curriculum Leader in monitoring and evaluating the standards of teaching and learning in the subject area;
•         assisting the Curriculum Leader in the creation, consistent implementation and improvement of schemes of work which encapsulate key school teaching and learning strategies;
•         assisting with the production of short, medium and long-term plans for the development and resourcing of the subject;
•        overseeing the development and quality assurance of courses;
•        co-ordinating (where appropriate) exam entries and liaise with the relevant awarding bodies;
•        liaising with pastoral teams;
•        reporting levels and/or results;
•        assisting, where required, with examinations;
•        supporting all teachers within the department;
•        assisting the Curriculum Leader to ensure that members of the department follow procedures for feedback, assessment and homework.

This job role sits alongside the requirement for staff to abide by all school policies and relevant national and local requirements including terms and conditions and national standards.  This job profile is not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake other duties as necessary and appropriate.

Note: This job description is not your contract of employment or any part of it. It has been prepared only for the purpose of school organisation and may change either as your contract changes or as the organisation of the school is changed.