Brighton College is seeking to appoint a Teacher of Politics to start in April 2025.
This role will be part time on a one-term fixed contract to cover parental leave. It is envisaged that it will be 0.6 Full Time Equivalent, although there will be the potential for this to be more for candidates who are eager to contribute to Games and Saturday fixtures.
The Department
The Politics Department consists of three members of staff, including the Head of Department. The subject is only taught as a curricular subject in the Sixth Form, although there are many ways to engage the younger years in political thinking via talks, clubs and activities. There are currently 47 pupils taking the subject in the Lower Sixth and 39 in the Upper Sixth. We follow the Edexcel A-level Politics course and teach the USA option for Component 3.
Public examination results in the department have been outstanding and the department consistently achieves 100% A*-B at A-level. We are also proud of the number of pupils who have progressed to politics-related undergraduate courses, with over half of pupils studying Politics taking it as part of their degree studies over the past two years.
A political education at Brighton College goes beyond the classroom. A comprehensive co-curricular and supra-curricular programme is offered, and it is expected that members of staff will help support, coordinate and further develop the offering.
Pupils currently benefit from the insights of a range of high-profile speakers including MPs, political journalists and leading academics.
We also run regular trips to London and Edinburgh. Closer to home, a broad-based extension programme operates in activities periods.
Role Specification
The successful candidate will be expected to teach UK Politics, UK Government and Core Political Ideas (Liberalism, Socialism and Conservatism), plus the chosen non-core idea (Feminism). Ability to teach US Politics is desirable, but not essential.
An ability to contribute towards the department’s extension programme, including a willingness to support pupils with applications to leading universities (including Oxford and Cambridge), will be a distinct advantage.
All teachers within the Department are expected to assist in the development of Schemes of Work and the creation of teaching resources.
All teachers at Brighton College are expected to contribute to the school’s pastoral system, generally as a tutor in one of our 14 houses (of which six are boarding houses and eight are day). There is also an expectation that all teachers will contribute to the co-curricular life of the school, through the extensive Games programme, and/or through the leadership of one of almost 100 school societies. Candidates are encouraged to point to interests and enthusiasms as part of their application.
All teachers joining Brighton will have the benefit of guidance by an experienced mentor, whose role it will be to provide support during their probationary period. Thereafter, all teachers are expected and supported to participate in continuous professional development, throughout their time at the College.
Safeguarding Responsibilities
· This role will involve daily contact with pupils and you will be engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.
· All staff and volunteers have a responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for who you are responsible and with whom you come into contact.