Summary

Surbiton High School is seeking an outstanding, enthusiastic and ambitious Head of Politics to lead our successful Politics Department

Detail

Head of Politics

Tenure: Permanent, Part-time, 4 days per week

Start Date: January 2027

Salary: Competitive – Surbiton High School Pay Scale

Surbiton High School is seeking an outstanding, enthusiastic and ambitious Head of Politics to lead our successful Politics Department. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced teacher and leader to shape the strategic direction of Politics within the School, inspire academic excellence and foster a vibrant political culture amongst pupils. The successful candidate will teach A Level Politics, contribute to the teaching of History, and lead a thriving department with an excellent record of achievement and enrichment.

About the Department

The Politics Department is a small, highly collaborative team of two teachers, both of whom also teach History across KS3, KS4 and KS5. We have an excellent academic record, with 64% of all students achieving A* in 2026, and 82% A*-A. In 2025, A*-A was 92% (38% A*). Numbers range from 12-18 a year opting to study Politics A level, with over half the cohort choosing to go on to study a Politics-related degree at university, including at Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh and King’s College, London.

Politics has a particularly strong co-curricular profile. The Department runs the highly successful Model United Nations (MUN) Club, giving students the opportunity to debate international issues, develop their public speaking and negotiation skills, and engage with politics beyond the classroom. Sixth Form students also benefit from running Politics Club for younger pupils, and mock elections and debates in line with the political calendar. A programme of guest speakers brings politicians, journalists, academics and other practitioners into the School to share their expertise and challenge students’ thinking. Together, these opportunities create a vibrant political culture within the School, offering students across the school the chance to develop confidence, intellectual curiosity and a genuine enthusiasm for Politics.

What You Will Do

• Lead the Politics Department, driving excellence in teaching, learning and pupil outcomes.
• Deliver outstanding Politics lessons at A Level and teach History across the School.
• Develop and implement a clear strategic vision for the department.
• Monitor and evaluate teaching and learning through lesson observations, work scrutiny and pupil feedback.
• Coach, support and develop departmental colleagues, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Track and monitor pupil progress, implementing effective interventions where required.
• Lead curriculum development and ensure schemes of work remain innovative, relevant and engaging.
• Promote the effective use of digital learning technologies to enhance pupil achievement.
• Oversee departmental assessment, reporting and examination outcomes.
• Lead and further develop the department's extensive co-curricular programme, including Model United Nations, debates, guest speakers, Politics Club and mock elections.
• Contribute to the wider pastoral and academic life of the School, including Form Tutor responsibilities where required.
• Manage departmental resources and contribute to strategic planning and staffing discussions.

What We Are Looking For

• An inspiring and knowledgeable Politics specialist with a passion for the subject.
• A successful classroom practitioner with a proven track record of delivering excellent outcomes.
• The ability and enthusiasm to teach History alongside Politics.
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate, support and develop colleagues.
• Excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills.
• A strategic thinker who is committed to innovation and continuous improvement.
• A collaborative and reflective approach to leadership.
• High expectations for pupil achievement, conduct and personal development.
• The ability to build positive and professional relationships with pupils, parents and colleagues.
• A commitment to the values, ethos and ambitions of Surbiton High School.

Why Join Us?

• A supportive, collegiate and forward‑thinking Classics department.
• Outstanding facilities and well‑resourced teaching spaces.
• A rich programme of trips, visits and co‑curricular opportunities.
• Excellent professional development and career support.
• A vibrant, ambitious school community that values scholarship and creativity.

Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for further details.

If you are inspired by the opportunity to contribute to this vibrant and high‑achieving department, we would be delighted to receive your application.

Surbiton High School holds a Skilled Worker sponsorship licence and, subject to all the relevant legal requirements being met, we would be willing to consider sponsorship for the successful candidate.

Surbiton High School is culturally diverse and fully committed to celebrating and respecting inclusion and diversity throughout our community.

Surbiton High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service and online/social media searches.

Please note that the School reserves the right to appoint at any stage during the recruitment process.

For any queries relating to the role or your application, please email recruitment@surbitonhigh.com

Documents

• Head of Politics (external) - JD & PS - Sep26 PDF Document
• H. United Learning Equality Guidelines PDF Document