Are you ready to step into a leadership role where your vision shapes an entire department's curriculum?

Can you foster an environment where critical thinking and analytical skills thrive among students of all abilities?

Are you looking for a seamless transition from a temporary contract into a permanent, secure leadership position?

About the Role

This is a pivotal middle-management leadership position requiring a dynamic and forward-thinking educator. The successful candidate will take full strategic responsibility for the History department, driving academic excellence and fostering a lifelong love for the subject. This full-time role starts in September on a temporary-to-permanent basis, providing the perfect opportunity to ensure the school and department are the right cultural fit for your long-term career goals. You will lead a team of dedicated specialists, oversee curriculum development, and ensure high-quality teaching and learning across all secondary key stages.

About the School

Situated in Wakefield, this well-established school is renowned for its safe, supportive, and disciplined environment. The school operates as a close-knit community where both students and staff are encouraged to excel under the ethos of respect and high expectations. Boasting strong academic traditions alongside modern facilities, the academy provides an exceptionally well-structured behaviour management system, allowing teachers to focus entirely on delivering high-impact lessons. It is an institution that deeply values professional development, collaboration, and the holistic well-being of its workforce.

Key Requirements

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS): Holds QTS, QTLS, or an equivalent recognised UK teaching qualification.
• Enhanced DBS: A valid Enhanced DBS clearance registered on the Update Service (or a willingness to apply for one).
• Leadership Background: Prior experience as a Second in Department, Subject Lead, or a demonstrable readiness to step up into middle management.
• Eligibility to Work: Valid legal entitlement to work full-time in the UK.

Essential Skills

• Visionary Leadership: The ability to inspire, motivate, and lead a team toward shared academic goals.
• Effective Communication: Articulating complex historical concepts clearly to students of varying abilities.
• Organisation & Time Management: Balancing a demanding teaching timetable with administrative leadership duties.
• Emotional Intelligence: Empathy and active listening skills to support both student well-being and staff morale.
• Adaptability: Flexibility to respond positively to changing educational landscapes and school priorities.
• Analytical Thinking: Diagnosing learning gaps within the department and creating actionable solutions.

Core Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Provide a clear vision for the History department, aligning departmental goals with the wider academy's improvement plan.
• Curriculum Design: Oversee the development and implementation of a rich, engaging, and diverse History curriculum across KS3, KS4, and KS5.
• Team Management: Line-manage, support, and deploy departmental staff, conducting regular performance reviews and fostering a collaborative team culture.
• Teaching Excellence: Deliver high-quality, inspiring History lessons that serve as a model of best practice for the department.
• Student Progress Monitoring: Track, analyse, and report on student attainment data, implementing targeted interventions where necessary to close gaps.
• Resource Management: Manage the departmental budget effectively, ensuring resources are utilised efficiently to enhance learning.
• Mentorship: Provide guidance and mentorship to Early Career Teachers (ECTs) and training teachers within the department.
• Exam Preparation: Oversee the moderation and preparation for GCSE and A-Level examinations, ensuring adherence to exam board specifications.
• Extracurricular Enrichment: Organise educational visits, lectures, and workshops to bring history to life outside the traditional classroom setting.
• Community Engagement: Promote the department through open evenings, parents' evenings, and whole-school communication channels.

What We Offer:

• A supportive, collaborative working environment.
• Opportunities for career progression and ongoing professional development.
• The chance to make a significant impact on the lives of students.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• A Refer a Friend scheme where you could earn a £300 Love2shop voucher (subject to terms and conditions).

Could this be the ideal role for you?
Click "Apply Now" to submit your application for the role of a Head of History. For more information, please contact or call to speak to the secondary team.