Head of History

HAYESFIELD GIRLS' SCHOOL; Bath; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work

Job summary

Hayesfield Girls' School in Bath is seeking an outstanding Head of History from January 2027 to lead the department across KS3, GCSE and A-Level History, with Politics support as needed. The post holder will provide strategic leadership, shape the curriculum, and raise aspirations for young women.

You will mentor a team of subject specialists, drive enrichment through local partnerships in Bath's UNESCO World Heritage setting, and inspire students to think critically about evidence and

Qualifications

• Experience leading a History department or large subject area.
• Strong track record in curriculum design for KS3–KS5.
• Ability to raise aspirations and improve student outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across KS3, GCSE and A-Level History.
• Inspire and empower students to engage with history and related subjects.
• Develop a dynamic, inclusive and enquiry-based curriculum.
• Lead, mentor and develop a team of subject specialists.
• Foster partnerships with local heritage organisations and museums.
• Communicate effectively with staff, governors, and the wider school community.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Curriculum design

Mentoring & development

Education

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Job description

Required from January 2027, we are seeking an outstanding, passionate, and innovative leader to guide our History Department into its next chapter as Head of History. The post holder will be responsible for providing strategic leadership across all key stages, overseeing the provision of a broad, balanced, and dynamic curriculum for students studying Key Stage 3, GCSE, and A-Level History (as well as supporting our wider humanities offer, including Politics). At Hayesfield, History is a lens for empowerment-breaking down barriers, developing confident voices, and encouraging rigorous intellectual inquiry. We welcome applications from colleagues with a strong History background who possess a deep passion for historical inquiry, curriculum design, and raising aspirations for young women.

Key Leadership Responsibilities

• Curriculum Innovation: Oversee a dynamic, diverse KS3 curriculum that spans local, national, and global histories, ensuring a coherent narrative that challenges, engages, and stretches every learner.
• Shaping Global Citizens and Thinkers: Inspire girls to pursue history, politics, law, and social sciences, enabling them to evaluate evidence critically, weigh competing interpretations, and construct compelling, well-reasoned arguments.
• Local & Global Heritage: Leverage our location in Bath-a UNESCO World Heritage site-to connect students with unique local history through site visits, archival research, and partnerships with local museums and historical organisations.
• Specialism: A proven track record as an outstanding History specialist with the ability to teach up to KS5.
• Leadership: Experience in (or clear potential for) leading, mentoring, and developing a team of subject specialists to foster high aspirations and pedagogical excellence.
• Vision: A passion for using history as a tool for empowerment, developing confident student voices and ensuring high aspirations for every girl.
• Curriculum Design: The ability to craft a rigorous, enquiry-based curriculum that prepares students for the demands of GCSE and A-Level.
• Communication: Highly developed interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively and forge links with local heritage organisations, museums, and archives.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience in managing departmental budgets and resources.
• Evidence of successful cross-curricular collaboration or extracurricular enrichment (e.g., historical trips, site visits, or archival research). A department with a thriving Key Stage 5 culture, strong A-Level tradition, and high student uptake in History and Politics.
• High-performing, motivated students and a supportive team of dedicated subject specialists.
• Exciting professional development opportunities through the Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership (MNSP) and The Bath Hub.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme and Cycle to Work scheme.