Overview

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WORKING WITH US

At Harris Academy Falconwood, our vision, ‘Knowledge is Power, We make it stick,’ is more than just a motto: it’s the bedrock of everything we do. We passionately believe in providing a first-class education that goes far beyond the everyday. We understand that education is the most potent engine for social mobility, empowering young people to transcend their circumstances and seize opportunities that might otherwise remain out of reach. Our aim is to create a platform for true social mobility, tapping into every child’s unique potential and setting them on a path towards ambitious destinations and informed choices.

We achieve this through a broad, diverse, and ambitious curriculum, designed to do so much more than just impart facts. As highlighted in our recent Ofsted report from March 2025, students at Harris Academy Falconwood receive “a very strong education” and “achieve highly,” a direct result of our “carefully designed, ambitious curriculum” that “promotes pupils’ academic and personal achievements extremely well.” This curriculum supports students to not only learn the powerful knowledge they need to succeed academically, but also to develop great character, cultivate healthy habits for life, and profoundly broaden their horizons. We believe in nurturing the whole child, ensuring they are well-rounded individuals ready for the complexities of the modern world.

Our commitment to inclusion is paramount to our mission for all students to succeed. This is why we are proud that Ofsted recognised how “the needs of disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are identified and met well,” ensuring “all pupils the same high-quality experiences.” 

We want our students to emerge from Harris Academy Falconwood as confident, articulate individuals, fully equipped to navigate the demands of a fast-paced, ever-changing world. We strive to instil resilience and adaptability, so they can face challenges head-on. Beyond academic excellence, we want our students to not only recognise injustice but to actively challenge it. We foster an environment where kindness and support thrive, encouraging every student to contribute positively to the communities they belong to, and to truly understand and enjoy a sense of belonging right here at the academy. We know that a supported student is a successful student, which is why we pride ourselves on putting student personal development and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do to ensure every student goes on to live a happy and successful life.

Harris Academy Falconwood stands as a beacon of educational excellence. The academy’s recent, remarkable progress is a testament to the effective leadership of all staff and the hard work of our outstanding students.

To learn more about working in our academy and what we can offer you, view our academy page via the “why work at” button.

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ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY

Are you a passionate teacher looking for your next step? We are looking for a qualified, experienced teacher to join Harris Academy Falconwood as Head of History.

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MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

The purpose of your role will be:

• To be accountable for leading, managing and developing the subject area.
• To raise standards of student attainment and achievement within the whole subject/curriculum area and to monitor and support student progress.
• To ensure the provision of an appropriately broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum for students studying in the department, in accordance with the aims of the academy and the curricular policies determined by the Governing Body and Principal.
• To teach the relevant subject across the age and ability range.
• To facilitate and encourage a learning experience which provides students with the opportunity to achieve their individual potential.
• To effectively manage and deploy staff, financial and physical resources within the department.
• To share and support the school’s responsibility to provide and monitor opportunities for personal and academic growth.

Your main areas of responsibility will fall under the areas of:

• Operational and strategic planning (including formulating the subject and faculty improvement plans, and leading the development of appropriate syllabuses, resources, schemes of work, marking policies, assessment and teaching strategies)
• Ensuring the delivery of an appropriate, comprehensive, high quality and cost effective curriculum and leading development of the subject and its delivery
• Staff development (including recruiting, building and managing an effective team of motivated staff)
• Student outcomes (including ensuring the effective operation of target setting, monitoring and evaluation systems and the input and maintenance of accurate student data)
• Pastoral system (including being a form tutor to a selected group of students)
• Teaching, including acting as an outstanding role model

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We would like to hear from you if you:

• Hold QTS (or equivalent) and a relevant undergraduate degree, and, ideally, management training
• Demonstrate successful teaching of GCSE at good or better level
• Have experience of initiation and effective management of change
• Show evidence of raising achievement in present post and showing good value added for groups
• Have knowledge of current curriculum developments in subject and their implications
• Have good knowledge and understanding of current educational thinking
• Show good understanding of how children learn and how to raise standards of achievement
• Have good communication skills in speech and writing
• Display excellent organisational skills
• Are able to build and sustain professional standards and relationships with students
• Are able to contribute towards creating a safe and protective environment

For a full job description and person specification, please download the Job Pack.

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WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

Teacher Development

At Harris, we have curated professional development pathways that will guide you towards achieving your career ambitions. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. With a strong network of passionate educators, expert development initiatives and a multitude of opportunities for career progression, your journey with Harris could be the most rewarding one yet.

We offer a wide range of high quality teacher professional development programmes via the Harris Institute of Teaching and Leadership. Find out more here.

Flexible Working

We are committed to fostering a positive and supportive working environment for our staff, recognising that achieving a balance between professional and personal responsibilities is essential. We understand that each individual’s circumstances are unique, which is why we offer flexible working options that can be adapted to meet the needs of both the academy and our employees.

Benefits

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance (usually £2,000 for Inner London and £1,500 for Outer London), a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Teachers Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan, Employee Assistance Programme, and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website. 

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.

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APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION

Thank you for your interest in this position. If you would like to discuss this opportunity, or to request a visit, please email the academy via the Why work page on harriscareers. 

Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. This will be help you when completing your application, and throughout the recruitment process. 

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website. 

IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.