Head of History

Brooke Weston Trust; Wisbech; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Brooke Weston Trust seeks a Head of History to lead the creation and evolution of a knowledge-rich History curriculum at our Wisbech Academy. You will shape the department’s vision, establish high standards, and mentor staff within a supportive and innovative environment.

The role is ideal for an experienced middle leader or an ambitious teacher stepping into departmental leadership, with a strong focus on powerful knowledge and disciplinary thinking.

Qualifications

• Lead the development of a knowledge-rich History curriculum.
• Shape the long-term vision, ethos, and identity of History at a new school.
• Establish exemplary teaching, learning, and assessment practices.

Responsibilities

• Build and mentor a future History department as the school grows.
• Develop high-quality resources and cross-curricular links.
• Support colleagues through mentoring and professional development.

Skills

Curriculum design

Strategic leadership

Mentoring and coaching

KS3/KS4/KS5 knowledge

Interdisciplinary links

Education

Experience in middle/ senior leadership

History degree

Job description

We are seeking an exceptional and forward-thinking Head of History to lead the creation and evolution of our History curriculum. You will play a central role in building the department from the ground up, crafting an academically rigorous and knowledge-rich curriculum that empowers students to understand the past, think critically, and articulate ideas with confidence. This position is ideal for an experienced middle leader seeking a new challenge, or an ambitious teacher ready to step into departmental leadership within a supportive and innovative environment. What You Will Do

• Lead the development of a coherent, knowledge-rich History curriculum rooted in powerful disciplinary knowledge.
• Shape the long-term vision, ethos, and identity of History at our new school.
• Establish exemplary teaching, learning, and assessment practices.
• Build, inspire, and mentor a future team as the school grows.
• Develop high-quality resources, enrichment opportunities, and cross-curricular links.
• Ensure History becomes a vibrant, intellectually ambitious subject that engages all learners.
• Mentor and support new colleagues as the department grows - helping to develop confident, expert practitioners. A passionate historian with deep subject knowledge and the ability to craft a knowledge-rich curriculum that builds meaningful historical understanding.
• Someone committed to teaching students powerful knowledge: historical concepts, disciplinary thinking, and secure chronological understanding.
• A reflective practitioner with strong pedagogical understanding and the ability to coach, mentor, and develop others.
• Experience designing or contributing to a rigorous KS3 curriculum (KS4/KS5 advantageous as we grow).
• A colleague excited by the unique opportunity to shape a new school and establish high academic standards. Our Trust was formed more than 25 years ago with a simple and clear mission - to transform educational performance in all of our communities. Working in some of the most challenging contexts, we improve our students' achievements by making long term commitments to the community and championing new approaches to improve the life chances for young people.

Wisbech Academy is part of Brooke Weston Trust, which offers one of the most extensive and well-structured professional development programmes in the region. Through the Trust's Centre for Professional Development, colleagues benefit from:

• A comprehensive CPD programme across curriculum, safeguarding, behaviour, SEND, leadership development, and governance
• High-quality training delivered by senior leaders across the Trust, alongside nationally recognised experts, Ofsted inspectors, DfE-affiliated consultants, and specialist outreach providers
• Access to purpose-built professional learning facilities, including the CPD Centre (home of the Northamptonshire Teaching School Hub) and the Primary Training Hub at Oakley Vale Primary School
• A wide range of courses spanning everything from curriculum design and teaching & learning to first aid, leadership, SEND, and operational skills

As a Brooke Weston Trust school, the Wisbech Academy sits within the Northamptonshire Teaching School Hub, which delivers the NPQ programme in partnership with Ambition Institute. Being within the same Trust family gives our teachers excellent access to its full suite of NPQs, delivered in partnership with Ambition Institute. This reflects the strong emphasis Brooke Weston Trust places on high-quality professional development, ensuring colleagues have clear, research-informed pathways for progression.

Care and respect for others are the values that lie at the heart of our Trust. The Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. It expects all staff to share this commitment. All posts require proof of identity and as the role is working with children and young people this will also be subject to an enhanced disclosures barring service check. In line with safer recruitment requirements, individuals shortlisted for a role in school will have online checks conducted on their name across social media platforms and google. A copy of the Trust Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy can be found here - Safeguarding andChild Protection The Trusts position on the recruitment of Ex-Offenders can be found under section 7 of the Trust SCR, Safer Recruitment and Staff Files Policy - Safer Recruitmentand Staff Files Policy The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

We place great emphasis on creating a supportive and collaborative working environment in all our schools, where all staff can share best practice through our colleague networks. Brooke Weston staff get access to first class professional development through our Ambition Hub, which is also home to the Northamptonshire Teaching School. To find out more about working for our Trust and the benefits available to staff please check out the BWT website. The Benefits at Brooke Weston Trust we can offer you: We offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, these include:

• Generous annual leave entitlement starting at 25 days annual leave per year, plus bank holidays. An additional 3 days after 5 years' service and the ability to purchase up to 10 days additional leave per year.
• One wellbeing day a year, in addition to your annual leave
• Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health protection.
• Employee discounts with local and national retailers, covering high street supermarkets, days out and holidays, health and beauty, dining out plus lots more.
• A freshly prepared breakfast and hot or cold lunch each day when you work in one of our Trust schools
• Payment of professional subscription / membership - If your role requires you to be a member of a professional body, BWT will pay for your professional subscription or membership fees.
• Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Your Care, an independent, external organisation. Your Care is available for you, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, both face to face and online.
• Additional health benefits including a Health Care cash plan and access to an online GP
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Ongoing opportunities for training and development and access to the BWT Centre for Professional Development
• Collaborative and Ambitious colleagues with the support of a committed team who work to maintain high standards and expectations