Job Description

Twickenham School

Richmond upon Thames
36,412 - 53,994 per year

Salary:

Teachers Main to Upper Pay Scale (Outer: 36,412 - 53,994 + TLR)

Job type:

Full Time, Permanent

Start date:

September 2025

Apply by:

31 August 2025

Job overview

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We are seeking a Head of Department - Humanities to join our team at Twickenham School, part of Bourne Education Trust.

As Head of Department, you will be responsible for the learning and achievement of all pupils in the department, ensuring equity of opportunity for all, achieving the highest possible standards in work and conduct. All teachers are required to carry out the professional duties and responsibilities of a schoolteacher as defined by 'Teachers' Standards' and set out in the current 'School Teachers Pay and Conditions Document'.

About Twickenham School

Twickenham School is a high-performing mixed secondary school for students aged 11-16 in Twickenham, south west London. As part of the Bourne Education Trust (BET), a successful multi-academy trust comprising twenty-four schools across Surrey, Hampshire, and the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, we are committed to "Transforming schools...changing lives." Guided by our core values of Perseverance, Responsibility, Integrity, Dedication, and Empathy, we strive for excellence in everything we do.


We offer a broad and balanced curriculum designed to stretch and challenge every student, fostering a love of learning that lasts a lifetime. Our facilities are among the best in the borough, with the building completely rebuilt in 2015, upgraded in 2018, and further investments planned. The new Aspire centre, opened in September 2022, and the new drama studio will be opened in September 2025.

Details

Position: Head of Department - Humanities


Contract: Full time, permanent


Start Date: 1/9/2025


Salary: Teachers Main to Upper Pay Scale (Outer: 36,412 - 53,994 + TLR)

Benefits

Generous workplace pension through Teachers' Pension Scheme (Employer contribution 28.68%) Condensed school year with two week half term in October Ongoing training, learning and development opportunities Recognition policies for exceptional performance and long service Well-being support, including 24/7 online GP access, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), online wellness support and free eye tests and flu vaccinations Access to savings on your everyday spending including groceries, homeware, entertainment and holidays, through My Staff Shopbenefits platform Work-life balance, and family friendly policies and processes Free on-site parking and cycle to work scheme Occupational sick pay

Key responsibilities include:

Ensure excellent standards of teaching & learning across the subject. Take responsibility for the strategic overview of the department, including self-evaluation and the improvement plan for the department. Monitor student progress and implement strategic intervention for the department. Deliver the curriculum as relevant to the age and ability of the individuals and classes you teach, preparing and developing teaching materials, programmes and pastoral arrangements as appropriate.

Requirements include:

Essential

Qualified Teacher Status or equivalent. Ability to demonstrate an awareness, understanding and commitment to the protection and safeguarding of children. Ability to evidence effective continuous professional development

Desirable

Experience of teaching in relevant subject area Experience in coordinating a subject
For full job description and requirements, please see applicant pack on our careers website.

Our Culture

At Bourne Education Trust, we value colleagues who are:

Reflective, optimistic and aspirational Collaborative and innovative Committed, engaged and professional Advocates for equality and inclusivity

How to apply for this role:

Please click 'Apply' to be redirected to our careers site. From there, you can access our applicant information pack and complete our online application form. Please note CVs without a fully completed application form will not be considered.

The closing date for this role is the 31st August 2025

Bourne Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare and safety of its staff and pupils, and follows rigorous safer recruitment procedures. We expect all candidates to meet the highest standard of safeguarding and successful applicants will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Bourne Education Trust is committed to equality of opportunity for all colleagues, pupils and other stakeholders. Applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. In advertising our vacancies, we are committed to accommodating diverse needs. If you require the applicant job pack to be supplied in a different format, please don't hesitate to contact us and we will do our best to provide a suitable alternative.

Attached documents

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Applicant Info Pack
19.12MB
School prospectus
14.35MB

About

Twickenham School

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Twickenham School

Percy Road, Twickenham
Middlesex
TW2 6JW
United Kingdom

+44 208 894 4503

Twickenham School is looking to expand its team of outstanding teachers for 2024. Due to local popularity and our continual growth we are in the fortunate position to be able to recruit additional staff for September 2024. We are always keen to hear from excellent local teachers who wish to join our Twickenham family so please get in touch to share your experiences even if we are currently not recruiting in your specialism currently.



When Ofsted last visited Twickenham School they deemed our school to be a 'Good' school across all areas!



Here's what they had to say...



"Pupils feel happy at this school. They make any pupil who joins the school feel welcome, such as through the buddy system. Pupils are respectful towards each other and staff. Everyone is accepting of others, no matter what their personal characteristics and traits. Pupils display positive attitudes to learning. Teachers expect them to work hard and try their best." (Ofsted )



A word from our Headteacher Jonathon Lisseman



Our vision is for every student to become a confident and successful lifelong learner and to embody our school values of Perseverance, Responsibility, Integrity, Dedication, and Empathy (PRIDE).



Several guiding principles underscore our mission:


Fostering a culture where students develop creativity, resourcefulness, and resilience.

Ensuring the whole school is united and committed to ongoing self-improvement and excellence.

Prioritising the attraction, development, and retention of the very best teachers and staff.

Instilling pride in our students, staff, and families, encouraging them to contribute positively to both our school and the broader community.


The pillars of our success rest upon excellent teaching, dedication of all our staff, the positive mindset of our students, and the unwavering support from our parents.



What it's like to work at Twickenham School.



At Twickenham School we believe wholeheartedly in the power of community and it's only through the collaboration of teaching and support staff, students and stakeholders that we can reach our goals.



Here's what some of our staff community have to say about working at Twickenham School.


"Twickenham School is a wonderfully friendly and supportive school, therefore ideal for a teacher still in-training. Every teacher is approachable and a superb practitioner. I have learnt so much in a short time and always feel like any problem can be placed behind me very quickly. All feedback is extremely constructive, and I feel comfortable to ask for help or support from anyone, including any member of the SLT team."


Jill Downes, MFL ECT

''Here at Twickenham School, we're more than just colleagues; we're a tight-knit community, turning lesson plans into magic, challenges into triumphs, and finding joy in shaping young minds''.


''It's not just a job; it's our daily dose of laughter, learning, and making a real difference, together.''


''In our world every day really does feel like a shared adventure in the grand story of teaching."


Shabaz Iqbal, Deputy Head of Science*


"Twickenham School really is a special and unique environment. The needs of

every

student are met thanks to a dedicated and supportive school community. Every member of staff works with integrity and has immense pride in their work and you can't help but feel empowered and motivated as you progress through your journey in education."


Jo Gunning, Teaching Assistant and Head of EAL*



Academic Achievement



Twickenham School is on a positive journey showing an upward trajectory across all performance measures.



Our Progress 8 score has shifted in a positive direction with students making the progress expected. Our % Basics (English/Maths at 5+) has increased significantly since 2017 by almost 4 times in value!



Attainment has improved from being an average Grade of 4 (a standard GCSE pass) to an average Grade of 5 (a strong GCSE pass) across all subjects.



Our EBacc entry has steadily grown and the school is committed to increasing this further. Our EBacc APS has increased by approximately one whole grade to date.



Bourne Education Trust



Twickenham School is proud to be a part of the Bourne Education Trust (BET). Led by Alex Russell, CEO, and the executive team, BET aims to ensure that each school provides the best possible educational experience for the community it serves.



Being part of BET means being part of a community all working together for greater efficiency, effectiveness and connectedness in our education system.



Future Plans



Each year Twickenham School reviews and updates its key priorities within its wider school development plan. Our key priorities for the 2023 - 2024 academic year are:



Priority 1:



To promote a culture of active learning through quality first teaching so that all students make exceptional progress.



Priority 2:



To deliver an ambitious and inclusive curriculum so that all students become confident and aspirational, regardless of starting points



Priority 3:



To nurture an ethos of leadership at all levels, ensuring that every member of our community contributes to the success of the school.



Find out more about life at Twickenham



Want to see what it's really like in a day at Twickenham School? Follow us on social media Instagram, Facebookor Xto see what we get up to in and out of the classroom.

Or, if you would like to experience our ethos firsthand by taking a tour of the school then please email info@twickenhamschool.org.uk, FAO: Ms K Thackeray.

Please note that you are wholly responsible for fact checking in respect of the information provided by schools. Please also check for the latest visa and work permit requirements that may apply. Tes is not responsible for the content of advertisements or the policies adopted by advertising schools. Tes asks that all schools follow

Tes' Fair Recruitment Policy

.