Required for:
September 2025 Location:
Dean's Yard - Westminster School Contract:
full-time, permanent Salary:
Westminster 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 09:00 on Thursday 13th February 2025. Please note, half-term is w/c 17th February, with interviews taking place w/c Monday 24th February 2025. Classics is thriving at Westminster, both in the classroom and via its rich and extensive co-curricular contribution. The Head of Classics thus occupies a pivotal and highly valued place in the intellectual and cultural life of the School. This post presents an exciting opportunity for an ambitious and expert Classicist to join and lead the department as the School transitions towards full co-education from 2028. The department comprises six full-time colleagues in total and has an enthusiastic, dedicated and supportive atmosphere. We have a strong commitment to rigorous and stretching language teaching: at all levels the pupils learn to translate into the target language, and all Upper School pupils study prose composition. Our schemes of work take the pupils far outside and beyond the linguistic and literary prescriptions of the public examinations (OCR), roving across the gamut of the Classical disciplines. Opportunities abound for visits to the world-class museums, universities and theatre on our doorstep in central London, as well as for cross-disciplinary initiatives with other departments and trips further afield and abroad. Our focus on high standards of teaching and learning leads our pupils to exceptional results at GCSE, A level and university entrance. The successful candidate will lead and inspire the Classics colleagues to maintain and further develop this flourishing programme. They will also collaborate with other Heads of Department on the ongoing curriculum review, which aims to maintain Westminster’s very high academic standards while also continuing to develop and refine curricula and pedagogy in light of the School’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and technological advancement. Responsibilities: the successful teaching of their subject and its contribution to the educational aims of the School in ways that will inspire pupils; the provision of leadership to departmental colleagues, playing a significant role in their review and professional development; the efficient administration of the department’s resources, facilities and budget; the effective representation of the department both within and beyond the School. Detailed Responsibilities and Duties Providing Academic Leadership aim to see that the department has a collective vision of the subject and its teaching which celebrates diversity in both teachers and pupils, while ensuring the delivery to every pupil of an appropriate and positive experience of the subject; ensure that, as far as possible, the department is following the most appropriate external examination syllabuses; keep up-to-date with changes in syllabus requirements and the merits of new qualifications being offered by the examination boards, disseminating these in a clear and unbiased way to teachers within the department; include all members of the department in decision making about how best to respond to change and development in their subject and syllabuses; see that internal schemes of work, whether formal or informal, ensure that all pupils are taught in a demanding and inspiring way, which is also appropriate to their aspirations, abilities and previous experience of the subject; ensure that the department is aware of, and develops, its contribution to pupils’ overall education – their enjoyment of academic life, their ability to manage their own learning and their capacity for reasoning and arguing; ensure that the department has appropriate policies on, or practices in, use of IT, learning support, setting of prep, marking and assessment, plagiarism, and differentiation; offer guidance on the effective and timely measuring of pupils’ progress through the routine setting of preps which chart a range of developmental points (written note-taking, research and essays, oral and/or practical work as appropriate to subject), as well as through formal assessments of knowledge in tests and termly examinations; ensure that all pupil work is correctly marked and returned within an agreed timescale and includes formative and summative marking; be well-informed about the range of ability of pupils within year groups, ensuring that strategies are developed and disseminated to teachers which enable pupils at the lower end to be helped, those in the middle to aim higher and those that excel to be fully stretched; ensure that pupils feel actively encouraged by frequent, accurate and detailed feedback on their progress and school rewards, and understand how best to set and fulfil targets for their further self-development in the subject; ensure that departmental development plans, policies and practices are updated annually and aligned with the School’s aims and objectives; keep the department well-informed about academic matters which are under discussion in the School, and the wider educational environment; ensure that the department contributes as required to the delivery of RSHE and Wellbeing, IT and other cross-curricular aspects of the School’s educational provision; compile, edit and keep updated the departmental handbook and website, ensuring that their contents are well-known and easily accessible to all members of the department. Supporting Teaching and Learning The Head of Department is responsible for supporting the successful delivery of their subject’s contribution to the education of Westminster’s pupils, both within and outside formal lessons. They will ensure: that teachers are aware of new ideas, methods and resources within the subject, its particular contribution to knowledge, and have the opportunity to exchange ideas and good practice with other members of the department, with other departments at the School and with the educational world outside Westminster; the occurrence of lesson observations and / or sharing of lessons on a regular basis to help foster ideas between teachers and pupils; and the encouragement of dissemination of information about good practice within and across departments where appropriate; that displays and other material that might encourage wider interest in the subject, or support pupils’ learning, are provided in the department’s teaching areas; that teachers have available the resources necessary to encourage enthusiasm for, as well as achievement in, the subject; that pupils of all abilities and levels of interest have opportunities for engagement with the subject in a variety of ways, throughout the school day, and that appropriate deeper and wider engagement is available for those with a special interest in the subject; that the subject is appropriately represented in the curriculum beyond the classroom, for instance by offering pupils the opportunity of developing their own interest in the subject through the Lower School Activity (LSA) and Options programmes, promoting and supporting academic societies and lectures, as well as running one-off projects and field expeditions, educational visits or prize essays where appropriate; that informed and detailed guidance on taking the subject is available to members of the department, pupils, parents, prospective entrants and teachers at relevant times, in particular when GCSE and A-Level choices are being made and when pupils are deciding about university courses, and other possible post-Westminster destinations; that appropriate support is provided for those who wish to study the subject at university, both current pupils and, in accordance with the School’s policy on post A-Level applications, for Old Westminsters. Teaching Staff Management The Head of Department has responsibility for the management of members of the department in their academic role and shares responsibility for their work in the School as a whole, their welfare and their professional development. They will: provide departmental input into the School’s professional development and review process as required; be aware of external opportunities for professional development in the subject and its teaching, and bring these to the attention of members of the department as appropriate. Identifying individual staff training needs and monitoring these, and offering development opportunities at regular intervals; delegate responsibilities, as required, within the department and offer opportunities for developing new or changing aspects of the department’s remit; mentor individual staff within the department and see this as key to an integrated and effective team; construct, in conjunction with the Deputy Head (Academic), the departmental timetable; ensure that communication within the department is effective and includes everyone in the department via regular (minuted) departmental meetings; take part, as required, in the process of appointing new staff; manage, in conjunction with the Bursar and Chief Operating Officer, support staff and peripatetic teachers attached to the department; be the first line of support in providing guidance, and if necessary action, for a teacher who is having difficulties with a class or with individual pupils; have care for the welfare of staff within the department in accordance with the School policy. Administrative Responsibilities The Head of Department is responsible for: checking that all teaching and public areas of the department offer a safe environment for both pupils and teachers; managing the department’s teaching area and keeping under review its use of space; ensuring that the departmental budget is a realistic projection of the needs of the department; the provision, within the agreed budget, and management of the department’s resources; ensuring that all teachers are adequately resourced with books, materials and other equipment deemed necessary; the provision of books and other material to be issued to pupils; implementing the procedures which are associated with the department’s public examination entries; co-ordinating and ensuring the appropriateness and validity of the department’s contributions to UCAS and other references; managing the department’s contribution to the School’s admissions testing as required; ensuring, during Lower School Expeditions, that the department can deliver its academic programme whilst simultaneously contributing fairly to the staffing of expeditions. Representing the Department The Head of Department represents the department inside and outside the School. They will: speak for the department to parents, colleagues in other departments, the Senior Management Committee and the Governors; maintain an appropriate image for the subject within the School; contribute to the development of the School’s academic policies; look to extend and maintain regular contact with feeder schools, partner schools, universities, examination boards and other schools as appropriate.
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September 2025 Location:
Dean's Yard - Westminster School Contract:
full-time, permanent Salary:
Westminster 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 09:00 on Thursday 13th February 2025. Please note, half-term is w/c 17th February, with interviews taking place w/c Monday 24th February 2025. Classics is thriving at Westminster, both in the classroom and via its rich and extensive co-curricular contribution. The Head of Classics thus occupies a pivotal and highly valued place in the intellectual and cultural life of the School. This post presents an exciting opportunity for an ambitious and expert Classicist to join and lead the department as the School transitions towards full co-education from 2028. The department comprises six full-time colleagues in total and has an enthusiastic, dedicated and supportive atmosphere. We have a strong commitment to rigorous and stretching language teaching: at all levels the pupils learn to translate into the target language, and all Upper School pupils study prose composition. Our schemes of work take the pupils far outside and beyond the linguistic and literary prescriptions of the public examinations (OCR), roving across the gamut of the Classical disciplines. Opportunities abound for visits to the world-class museums, universities and theatre on our doorstep in central London, as well as for cross-disciplinary initiatives with other departments and trips further afield and abroad. Our focus on high standards of teaching and learning leads our pupils to exceptional results at GCSE, A level and university entrance. The successful candidate will lead and inspire the Classics colleagues to maintain and further develop this flourishing programme. They will also collaborate with other Heads of Department on the ongoing curriculum review, which aims to maintain Westminster’s very high academic standards while also continuing to develop and refine curricula and pedagogy in light of the School’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and technological advancement. Responsibilities: the successful teaching of their subject and its contribution to the educational aims of the School in ways that will inspire pupils; the provision of leadership to departmental colleagues, playing a significant role in their review and professional development; the efficient administration of the department’s resources, facilities and budget; the effective representation of the department both within and beyond the School. Detailed Responsibilities and Duties Providing Academic Leadership aim to see that the department has a collective vision of the subject and its teaching which celebrates diversity in both teachers and pupils, while ensuring the delivery to every pupil of an appropriate and positive experience of the subject; ensure that, as far as possible, the department is following the most appropriate external examination syllabuses; keep up-to-date with changes in syllabus requirements and the merits of new qualifications being offered by the examination boards, disseminating these in a clear and unbiased way to teachers within the department; include all members of the department in decision making about how best to respond to change and development in their subject and syllabuses; see that internal schemes of work, whether formal or informal, ensure that all pupils are taught in a demanding and inspiring way, which is also appropriate to their aspirations, abilities and previous experience of the subject; ensure that the department is aware of, and develops, its contribution to pupils’ overall education – their enjoyment of academic life, their ability to manage their own learning and their capacity for reasoning and arguing; ensure that the department has appropriate policies on, or practices in, use of IT, learning support, setting of prep, marking and assessment, plagiarism, and differentiation; offer guidance on the effective and timely measuring of pupils’ progress through the routine setting of preps which chart a range of developmental points (written note-taking, research and essays, oral and/or practical work as appropriate to subject), as well as through formal assessments of knowledge in tests and termly examinations; ensure that all pupil work is correctly marked and returned within an agreed timescale and includes formative and summative marking; be well-informed about the range of ability of pupils within year groups, ensuring that strategies are developed and disseminated to teachers which enable pupils at the lower end to be helped, those in the middle to aim higher and those that excel to be fully stretched; ensure that pupils feel actively encouraged by frequent, accurate and detailed feedback on their progress and school rewards, and understand how best to set and fulfil targets for their further self-development in the subject; ensure that departmental development plans, policies and practices are updated annually and aligned with the School’s aims and objectives; keep the department well-informed about academic matters which are under discussion in the School, and the wider educational environment; ensure that the department contributes as required to the delivery of RSHE and Wellbeing, IT and other cross-curricular aspects of the School’s educational provision; compile, edit and keep updated the departmental handbook and website, ensuring that their contents are well-known and easily accessible to all members of the department. Supporting Teaching and Learning The Head of Department is responsible for supporting the successful delivery of their subject’s contribution to the education of Westminster’s pupils, both within and outside formal lessons. They will ensure: that teachers are aware of new ideas, methods and resources within the subject, its particular contribution to knowledge, and have the opportunity to exchange ideas and good practice with other members of the department, with other departments at the School and with the educational world outside Westminster; the occurrence of lesson observations and / or sharing of lessons on a regular basis to help foster ideas between teachers and pupils; and the encouragement of dissemination of information about good practice within and across departments where appropriate; that displays and other material that might encourage wider interest in the subject, or support pupils’ learning, are provided in the department’s teaching areas; that teachers have available the resources necessary to encourage enthusiasm for, as well as achievement in, the subject; that pupils of all abilities and levels of interest have opportunities for engagement with the subject in a variety of ways, throughout the school day, and that appropriate deeper and wider engagement is available for those with a special interest in the subject; that the subject is appropriately represented in the curriculum beyond the classroom, for instance by offering pupils the opportunity of developing their own interest in the subject through the Lower School Activity (LSA) and Options programmes, promoting and supporting academic societies and lectures, as well as running one-off projects and field expeditions, educational visits or prize essays where appropriate; that informed and detailed guidance on taking the subject is available to members of the department, pupils, parents, prospective entrants and teachers at relevant times, in particular when GCSE and A-Level choices are being made and when pupils are deciding about university courses, and other possible post-Westminster destinations; that appropriate support is provided for those who wish to study the subject at university, both current pupils and, in accordance with the School’s policy on post A-Level applications, for Old Westminsters. Teaching Staff Management The Head of Department has responsibility for the management of members of the department in their academic role and shares responsibility for their work in the School as a whole, their welfare and their professional development. They will: provide departmental input into the School’s professional development and review process as required; be aware of external opportunities for professional development in the subject and its teaching, and bring these to the attention of members of the department as appropriate. Identifying individual staff training needs and monitoring these, and offering development opportunities at regular intervals; delegate responsibilities, as required, within the department and offer opportunities for developing new or changing aspects of the department’s remit; mentor individual staff within the department and see this as key to an integrated and effective team; construct, in conjunction with the Deputy Head (Academic), the departmental timetable; ensure that communication within the department is effective and includes everyone in the department via regular (minuted) departmental meetings; take part, as required, in the process of appointing new staff; manage, in conjunction with the Bursar and Chief Operating Officer, support staff and peripatetic teachers attached to the department; be the first line of support in providing guidance, and if necessary action, for a teacher who is having difficulties with a class or with individual pupils; have care for the welfare of staff within the department in accordance with the School policy. Administrative Responsibilities The Head of Department is responsible for: checking that all teaching and public areas of the department offer a safe environment for both pupils and teachers; managing the department’s teaching area and keeping under review its use of space; ensuring that the departmental budget is a realistic projection of the needs of the department; the provision, within the agreed budget, and management of the department’s resources; ensuring that all teachers are adequately resourced with books, materials and other equipment deemed necessary; the provision of books and other material to be issued to pupils; implementing the procedures which are associated with the department’s public examination entries; co-ordinating and ensuring the appropriateness and validity of the department’s contributions to UCAS and other references; managing the department’s contribution to the School’s admissions testing as required; ensuring, during Lower School Expeditions, that the department can deliver its academic programme whilst simultaneously contributing fairly to the staffing of expeditions. Representing the Department The Head of Department represents the department inside and outside the School. They will: speak for the department to parents, colleagues in other departments, the Senior Management Committee and the Governors; maintain an appropriate image for the subject within the School; contribute to the development of the School’s academic policies; look to extend and maintain regular contact with feeder schools, partner schools, universities, examination boards and other schools as appropriate.
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