We are currently seeking to fill the position of Head of History.

Description

Required for: September 2025

Location: Vincent Square - Westminster Under School

Contract: full-time, permanent

Salary: Westminster Under School has its own salary scale, and new members of staff are placed at a point relevant to their qualifications and experience. Details of salary will be discussed at interview with those candidates who are short-listed. 

There is also an associated responsibility allowance with this role.

The deadline for applications is 17:00 on Tuesday 22nd April 2025. Interviews will take place shortly after the closing date.

We are recruiting for a Head of History at an exciting time for the Under School.  A key part of this role over the next year will be to support with the development of our new curriculum for Reception to Year 2, and adapt the current schemes of work for a co-educational environment as we look forward to expansion to become a co-educational school for children aged four to 13 from September 2026. The role will deliver well-developed and thorough lesson, as well as managing the History department.

The subject is taught by several teachers across the School, all of whom contribute to the department. There is a strong academic but progressive ethos and at the heart of it is the enjoyment of not just the subject but an overall love of academic endeavour and critical thinking. History is taught chronologically throughout the School, from the ancient Egyptians in Year 3 up to Victorian Britain until 1901 in Year 8. Pupils excel and enjoy both taught History lessons and the wider extra-curricular nature of History at the Under School.

Each year group has at least one History trip each year, for example, to Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament - both on our doorstep, or further afield such as to the Battlefields of northern Europe, or to study Anne Frank in Amsterdam. History Society takes place regularly at lunchtimes where pupils seize the opportunity to research independently and present to other adults and pupils about a historical event or theme of their choosing. Moreover, a majority of the senior part of the School participates in the annual Townsend Warner competition.

Line managed by the Assistant Master, Teaching and Learning, the Head of History will be expected to:

• Teach in any year groups from Years 3 up to Year 8, including pupils taking the Scholarship examinations for Westminster, Eton and any other senior schools.
• Build on an exciting, inspiring and academically robust, chronologically-based curriculum across all Key Stages, involving a variety of tasks and development of wider skills and knowledge, e.g., study skills, PSHE, RSE and wellbeing, use of technology within lessons, Fundamental Values, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
• Contribute to the Department Development Plan, in liaison with the Assistant Master, Teaching and Learning.
• Ensure that all groups of pupils are catered for, including exceptionally high achievers and SEND pupils.
• Liaise and develop links with colleagues in the History department at the Senior School and in similar schools, participating in cluster groups to keep up to date with good practice and syllabuses.
• Organisation and delivery of the History post-exam programme for Year 8 (where applicable).
• Support and give advice to teachers of other subjects and explore opportunities for cross-curricular work.
• To act as a strong, positive Head of Department who leads by example, being involved in tasks that all Heads of Department are involved with, e.g.:
• Lesson observations and learning walks.
• Book looks and checking appropriate marking.
• Organisation of trips and visits and other extra-curricular activities.
• CPD for colleagues in the department including INSET, ensuring they are kept up to date with new methods, resources, pedagogy, etc.
• Ensure displays are changed regularly, relevant and well-maintained.
• Organise and oversee assessments and examinations.
• Ensure proper budgeting within the department.
• Liaise with the Librarian to ensure the History section of the Library has a good range of books for all parts of the School, linking with the curriculum but also in addition to it.
• Chair departmental meetings and attend regular HoDs meetings.
• Meet with teachers, parents and/or pupils to monitor pupil progress and address concerns, if they are raised
• Promote and develop Health and Safety and e-Safety policies within the department
• Be fully conversant with, and supportive of, all School policies

Additionally, all colleagues are expected to be involved in the wider school including being a Form Tutor, supervision during break and lunch times, getting involved with Games, attending Parents’ Evenings, accompanying school residential trips, and so on. Whilst every effort has been taken to provide a comprehensive list of responsibilities, the post holder may be asked to complete other duties which could be considered relevant to the role, as directed by the Master or the Assistant Master, Teaching and Learning or other senior staff.

The School is an exceptionally supportive one, aiming to give all colleagues a positive work-life balance. We have a warm and friendly Common Room and beautiful facilities, including the largest Square in central London which pupils use every day. Additionally, the School will be moving to a completely new building in the Autumn of 2025, offering a huge amount of space, natural light and modern facilities. From September 2026, the School will expand to open a Reception class and will go co-educational in Reception, Year 3 and Year 7. The School will be completely co-educational in all year groups by 2028.

While the History department is exceptionally strong, and History is a well-loved subject amongst pupils, there is scope for continuing development and innovation with the appointment of an outstanding Head of History – especially in view of the School’s expansion and introduction of co-education from 2026, as outlined above.

The role includes a responsibility allowance which is commensurate with the responsibilities of the role and some additional time in terms of a reduction in lessons and/or other responsibilities.

If you have any questions about the role or would like to discuss anything further, please contact the Deputy Master, Michael Woodside (michael.woodside@westminster.org.uk), in the first instance and he will be delighted to speak with you.