Highgate is looking for an enthusiastic and inspiring teacher of Politics for a one-year post, starting at the beginning of the next academic year in September 2022. The position would suit an experienced teacher or an ambitious and creative entrant to the profession. 

Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in Politics, or a related degree such as PPE, International Relations, etc. from a university with an excellent reputation for Politics. Applicants should demonstrate a profound and continuing academic interest in their subject and an enthusiasm for sharing this passion with pupils and colleagues. The successful candidate will have a strong commitment to professional development, an enthusiasm for learning and a willingness to experiment, as well as the ability to reflect deeply on their practice. A genuine interest in the School’s academic extension programme will be an added recommendation. 

The School has considerable experience and success in guiding unqualified entrants to the profession through induction and into established teaching and leadership positions at the school. For all teachers new to Highgate, regardless of experience, there is a strong and supportive framework of induction. The role includes opportunities to contribute to the pastoral and co-curricular life of the school, both of which are valued highly at Highgate. We encourage applications from candidates who experience barriers and inequity due to their ethnicity, gender identity, physical or mental health, sexuality, and/or socio-economic background.  

The successful applicant will join an experienced department of six teachers who teach over 90 pupils in Highgate’s Sixth Form. Politics is one of the most popular subjects at A Level. The pupils follow the Edexcel specification, which covers UK Politics, Political ideologies, and US Politics. Outcomes in A-Level Politics are excellent, and well above national averages: in 2019, our Politics cohort of 42 achieved 48% A*, 83% A*/A and 100% A*-B; in the same academic year 10 pupils applied for Politics or a Politics related degree at university. Pupil outcomes over the next two years through Centre Assessed Grades and Teacher Assessed Grades were even better. Pupils regularly take up places at Oxford and Cambridge, as well as at overseas universities.  

The Politics department runs a weekly programme of extension classes to Year 12 pupils (often collaborating with the Economics, History or Philosophy departments) in the Lent term, introducing pupils to topics outside the scope of the A-level curriculum. This programme continues as a more bespoke mentoring programme for all Sixth Formers who intend to pursue Politics, or a related discipline, at university. Colleagues in the department also have a significant co-curricular footprint, including the extremely popular current affairs focused Masaryk Society (which attracts over 30 pupils from all years every week), the Junior Politics Society, the annual pupil publication the Arbiter, delivering academic lectures and taster lessons to Year 10 and Year 11 pupils, running mock elections and referendums, and many other ways besides.   

The department is well equipped and resourced, with its own classrooms and dedicated office, which is shared with colleagues in the Economics department. All of the classrooms have interactive whiteboards. The Politics Department is free-standing, but its members can and do teach History or Economics, though the ability to teach another subject is neither a requirement, nor a recommendation, for this post. 

For further details, please go to: 

https://www.highgateschool.org.uk/work-with-us/ss-teachers/teacher-of-politics/