Head of History

King Edward’s School is seeking to appoint a full time Head of History to lead a strong and
enthusiastic department in an exceptional school from 1st September 2023. We welcome
applications from people of all backgrounds, and no experience of working in the independent
sector is required. A willingness to participate in the wider life of the School with pastoral care
duties and help with co-curricular activities is expected.

The History Department

History is thriving at King Edward’s School as boys are justifiably curious about their place in the
world and how History has shaped the present day. The study of History is vital to anyone with a
desire to understand current trends in politics, economics, and society in general, though we aspire
to do even more than that with this subject. In the era of ‘fake news’ we think it essential that boys
critically engage with source material, learning to ask the right questions about the evidence they
encounter, rather than simply parrot the right answers. We also want them to build a helpful
historical vocabulary so they can use language as the key link between knowledge, concepts and
understanding. In common with other parts of the King Edward’s curriculum, we want History to help
boys to nurture their own creativity, to become effective independent learners, to think critically and
to have a well-developed sense of international awareness. History sits at the heart of a liberal and
liberating education.

The department is currently comprised of three full-time, and one part-time, specialist teachers and
is based in a suite of four rooms in the heart of the school next to the Library, with which it has close
links. The department currently employs a full time Osborn Fellow in History, who is tasked with
developing further enrichment opportunities across the department and school. Textual and audio-
visual resources are excellent, and all rooms have interactive whiteboards.

Recruitment at IGCSE is strong with an average of 75 pupils opting for the subject in Year 10. An
average of 25 boys study History in Year 12 as part of their IB Diploma. History is also a very popular
destination subject at leading universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Durham and Exeter.
The History Society meets on a regular basis to hear talks from invited speakers and home-grown
talent. The department enjoys organizing field trips, and recent destinations have included: Black
Country Museum, Bosworth, National Cold War museum, First World War battlefields and Berlin.

In the Lower School, boys experience a broad introduction to Historical study. In a wider setting, the
forces unleashed by the Italian Renaissance and the English Reformation are studied in Year 8. In
Year 9, boys undertake a comparative study of the English and French Revolutions, with the theme of
‘rights and protest’ running through the year. Pupils also study a topic from the IGCSE course as a
taster of what they can expect in Year 10. The Lower School curriculum has been developed over
recent years and there is opportunity to review how the Lower School curriculum could reflect our IB
ethos to an even greater extent.
The IGCSE course provides a global perspective that boys find particularly useful as well as
fascinating and challenging and is ideal preparation for the IB history course. Topics include the
development of dictatorship in Germany, 1918-1945; the Cold War, 1943-1972; the USA, 1917-1941;
and China, 1900-1989.

History is offered at both Standard and Higher Level as part of the IB Diploma. Experience of
teaching the IB, although advantageous, is not required as full training will be given. The Standard
Level course is designed to build on topics encountered at IGCSE by providing further exploration of
the Cold War, as well as a source-based enquiry into the move to global war, looking closely at the
foreign policies of Japan, Italy, and Germany in the 1930s. The remainder of the course is devoted to
a thematic study of 20th century single party states and authoritarian regimes, such as Mussolini’s
Italy and Castro’s Cuba.

The Higher Level course is designed to challenge pupils by taking them to new periods and topics. It
comprises medieval, early modern, and modern History ranging from the military leaders Richard
the Lionheart and Genghis Khan in the 12th and 13th centuries; Portuguese and Spanish exploration in
the 15th and 16th centuries as well as late tsarist Russia and the 1917 Revolution. In common with the
Standard Level course, the Cold War and single party states in the 20th century are also studied.
Pupils at both Levels also undertake an independent assignment on a historical topic, event, or
personality of their choice.

Job Description

The role holder will report to the Deputy Head Academic.

The Head of History will lead, promote and deliver an exceptional programme of academic and co-
curricular History.

 To provide strong and effective strategic leadership for the History Department
 To exercise the responsibilities of a Head of Department as set out in the HoD job description
below
 To liaise effectively with staff at King Edward VI High School to facilitate a joined up approach to
co-curricular History
 To work with the Partnerships and Participation Manager to identify, as required and
appropriate, mutually beneficial joint ventures beyond the school community, and to promote
Historical events and initiatives both within, and beyond where appropriate, the wider school
community

Heads of Department are appointed by the Chief Master and responsible for the overall performance
of the department, they attend Heads of Department meetings and report to the Deputy Head
Academic on all aspects relating to the department. They should perform the duties expected from
all subject teachers.

Curriculum and Teaching

 To be responsible for curriculum planning in the department, working within agreed school
policy
 To be responsible for the quality of teaching and learning throughout the department and to
monitor, evaluate and review the work of the department including the production of an annual
development plan
  To co-ordinate the teaching of the subject, particularly by preparing and up-dating department
handbooks, assessment and other policies, and schemes of work, which should ensure that
teaching takes full account of the range of ability of pupils at King Edward's School
 Within the general policy of the school, to decide on external examinations to be taken and to
oversee proper preparation for them
 To keep abreast of developments in teaching and learning methodology, materials, and
resources within the subject area(s) and to advise members of the department and the Deputy
Head (Academic) of those developments when appropriate
 To provide appropriate information for the monitoring and recording of individual pupil progress
for the Deputy Head (Academic)
 To prepare an annual department review, to include analysis of results and objectives for the
year ahead, for discussion with the Deputy Head (Academic) and Chief Master

Staffing

 To involve members of the department in the planning and development of the department,
and to co-ordinate the work of the department, particularly by holding regular departmental
meetings, and ensuring that accurate records are kept of them
 To assist with the professional development of members of the department, including in-service
work as appropriate and the induction of new members of staff; to support and monitor newly
qualified teachers, and to participate in the School appraisal system
 To advise the Chief Master about recruiting and appointing new staff to the department
 When appropriate, to accept student teachers within the department, liaising with the in-school
tutor, and closely supervise teaching practice
 To liaise with the Deputy Head (Academic) and Timetabler over the most effective allocation of
staff to forms and sets within the subject area
 Where appropriate, to manage and deploy support staff, and to ensure their training needs are
met.

Administrative

 To control departmental expenditure, to submit financial estimates for books and other
resources, to order these once the budget has been authorised, and to have an oversight of the
use, storage and security of departmental materials and equipment and to keep up-dated
records of stock
 To advise the Chief Master on future needs of the department
 To promote a safe working environment, liaising with the Safety Officer to this end
 To prepare the department for Open Mornings and other public events
 To participate in Warwick and Foundation Subject Groups as appropriate
 To be responsible for the departmental area particularly in terms of displays
 To participate in the admissions process to the School when requested

Pastoral

 To monitor the behaviour of pupils within the department and to liaise with Form Tutors and
Heads of Year as appropriate
  To monitor the pupils’ academic progress in the department, including the oversight of pupils’
subject reports
 In consultation with the Head of Learning Support, to ensure that appropriate provision is made
for pupils with a learning difficulty
 To promote appropriately high levels of expectation from pupils by setting down clear guidelines
for establishing good standards of behaviour and achievement within the department, including
homework policy the careful presentation of work and care of books and equipment

To undertake any other reasonable duty related to the department that the Chief Master or Deputy
Head (Academic) may delegate.

Person Specification

The ideal candidate would be expected to show evidence of many of the following skills and
qualities. The following information demonstrates qualities that would be considered essential or
desirable and how these will be tested during the recruitment process.

Education and Qualifications (tested in application) Essential Desirable

A good Honours Degree or equivalent in History 

A higher degree and/or further professional qualifications 

Leadership/Management training/experience 

Qualified Teacher Status 

Experience (tested in application and interview) Essential Desirable

Previous experience of teaching History to pupils aged up to 18 in a 
strongly academic environment

Experience of preparing students for Oxbridge admission 

Experience of the IB Diploma Programme 

Knowledge and Understanding (tested in application, interview and Essential Desirable

references)
Strong subject knowledge 

Understanding of strategic planning, implementation, monitoring and 

evaluation
An understanding of and strategic use of assessment to support effective 
learning
Training and Professional Development (tested in application and Essential Desirable
interview)
Commitment to on-going personal and professional development 

Skills and Abilities (tested in application, interview and references) Essential Desirable

An enthusiasm for History 

Ability to motivate and inspire pupils across the age range 

Commitment to the provision of quality and equality of opportunity in the 

teaching of History
Ability to lead a team in the provision of a rich and varied programme of 
co-curricular art that appeals to as large a constituency as possible
Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with a variety of 
audiences
Ability to build positive relationships with colleagues, pupils, parents and 
outside agencies
Ability to lead effectively and work constructively within a team

Ability to support colleagues in their Professional Development, including
the induction of new staff and teachers (including trainee teachers) 

Ability to use qualitative and quantitative data to support, evaluate and 

improve quality of provision and outcomes

Excellent positive behaviour management skills 

Confident use of ICT 

A commitment to undertaking an involvement in whole school life 

Experience of forming and implementing strategies to enhance learning


and teaching through the use of technology

Personal Attributes (tested at interview and in references) Essential Desirable

Sense of perspective and empathy 

Organised, positive and able to prioritise and work to deadlines 

Punctuality 

Be a role model to pupils and colleagues, modelling the School’s values 

Willingness to engage with the wider life of the School 

How to apply

To apply for this role, please forward a completed application form (available for download at
www.kes.org.uk/vacancies) and a covering letter addressed to the Chief Master by email to:
recruitment@kes.org.uk.

The deadline for applications is Friday 17th February at 9am.

If you have any queries about the role or would like to discuss it in more detail, please contact the
Deputy Head Academic, Jane Evans by email: jre@kes.bham.sch.uk.

King Edward’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants invited to interview will be required
to provide proof of identity, preferably a birth certificate, although where this is not available we will accept
other forms of ID. Online searches will also be carried out for all shortlisted candidates, as required by Keeping
Children Safe in Education 2022. Successful candidates will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check and
other pre-employment checks. A copy of the School’s Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure Policy is available
on the website www.kes.org.uk.