Head of Religious Studies

GLF Schools; Redhill; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Teachers Pension Scheme

Flexible working options

Generous holiday allowance

Work life and family friendly policies

Employee wellbeing initiatives

Career pathways and talent management

Staff benefits portal

Community and collaboration

Job summary

Merstham Park School, part of GLF Schools, invites applications for an inspiring Head of Religious Studies or a Teacher of Religious Studies to lead and develop the RS curriculum across all key stages.

Join our growing Humanities Faculty and contribute to high-quality teaching, curriculum design and wide-ranging extra-curricular opportunities. You will benefit from CPD, career progression pathways within the GLF Trust and a collaborative, ambitious school community.

Qualifications

• Inspiring and dynamic RS leader with vision to lead and develop the RS curriculum across key stages.
• Excellent classroom practitioner capable of planning and delivering high-quality lessons and resources.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a collaborative mindset.
• Commitment to promoting high standards of teaching, learning and student wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the RS curriculum across all key stages.
• Plan and deliver high-quality RS lessons and resources for specialist and non-specialist teachers.
• Collaborate with colleagues to raise standards and student wellbeing.
• Contribute to wider school community and provide enriching extra-curricular opportunities.

Skills

RS leadership

Curriculum design

Classroom practice

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Job description

Are you an inspiring Head of Religious Studies looking for a position in a growing secondary school?

We are looking for a dynamic and highly-skilled practitioner to join the Humanities Faculty at Merstham Park School.

Your Opportunity

We are seeking a dynamic leader who has the curriculum knowledge to support the school's ambition - we see Religious Studies as a vital part of providing "a culturally rich learning environment where all students are valued, safe and successful. You will have a confident understanding of the curriculum and the ability to explain concepts clearly."

You will join our Humanities Faculty consisting of: Geography, History, Religious Studies and PSHE. The team is committed to creating a supportive environment where professional development, learning from each other and sharing good practice is at the heart of all that they do.

This is an exciting time to join the school as we look to expand and develop our offer as we grow even bigger. You will have plenty of CPD opportunities for professional development and growth. Working as part of the GLF Trust comprising of 43 schools, we can support you with career pathways for progression.

We value the opportunities that extra-curricular can provide. As a result, we have a broad programme, and all members of the Department are actively involved in providing extra-curricular opportunities either at lunchtime or after school.

Please note: Merstham Park School is seeking to appoint either a Head of Religious Studies or a Teacher of Religious Studies. Applicants will be considered for the role that most closely matches their experience, skills and leadership aspirations. Candidates with the expertise and ambition to lead the department are encouraged to apply for the Head of Religious Studies position, while experienced and aspiring teachers looking to develop their career within a supportive and ambitious school are welcome to apply for the Teacher of Religious Studies role that has also been advertised. Only one appointment will be made

About Merstham Park School

At Merstham Park, our ethos is simple - igniting a passion for learning. We are proud to be a values driven school which encourages its staff and students to embrace these values in all that they do. This approach provides everyone with the opportunity to exceed their potential. Our team of passionate staff are committed to providing children with the very best educational experience.

As a growing school we are excited and proud of our state of the art facilities which we opened in September 2022. Our brand new home is tailored to enable our staff and students to develop unique skill sets in a truly first-class educational setting through the creation of inviting and interactive learning environments.

As the school grows the career progression for our staff is endless. We will be looking to enhance the opportunities for everyone to grow in their roles, whether that is through individual CPD or through additional responsibilities.

What we are looking for:

• An inspiring and dynamic Religious Studies teacher with the vision and expertise to lead and further develop the RS curriculum, creating a coherent and engaging learning journey across all key stages.
• An excellent classroom practitioner who can plan and deliver high-quality lessons and resources that support both specialist and non-specialist teachers.
• A skilled leader with outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, committed to promoting high standards of teaching, learning and student wellbeing.
• A dedicated professional who is keen to contribute to the wider school community and passionate about providing enriching extra-curricular opportunities for students.
• A collaborative and positive team player who is committed to working effectively with colleagues to achieve the best outcomes for all students.

Join the GLF Schools Community

• As a part of GLF Schools, you will join a community of staff dedicated to transforming education. With regular progression discussions, there will be a wealth of opportunities for you to grow your career, whether in one of our 43 academies or in our central team.
• A growing Multi Academy Trust with over 2,000 colleagues and over 17,000 pupils
• Founded upon the values of Respect, Inclusivity, Integrity and Kindness
• 43 primary and secondary schools across 7 Local Authority areas across the south of England
• We work as a community whilst ensuring each school maintains its own unique identity
• Committed to ensuring all children and young people receive the best possible education

GLF Schools Employment Offer

GLF Schools has a generous employment offer, which allows all our colleagues to Grow, Learn and Flourish

• Access to our highly competitive Teachers Pension Scheme
• Flexible working options
• Generous holiday allowance
• Work life and family friendly policies
• Employee wellbeing initiatives
• Career pathways and talent management
• Access to a staff benefits portal
• Community and collaboration working model

The Details

Start Date: 1 January 2027

Contract Type: Full Time, Permanent (Part-time working may be considered for the right applicant if the needs of the school can be met.)

Pay Scale: GLF MPR/UPR + TLR 2:1 (£3,651)

Closing Date: 18th October 2026

Interview Date:TBA

Safeguarding Statement

GLF Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Employment is subject to a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

As a Trust, we are happy to discuss flexible working opportunities. GLF Schools recognises and celebrates the diversity of its schools and their communities. There is a shared commitment across the Trust to develop further a culture of respect, where discrimination is not tolerated, and individuals are treated equitably and fairly and feel a sense of belonging. We strive for an inclusive environment where staff, children and students are comfortable to express their own identity, should they wish, in which diversity and inclusion is of mutual benefit for everyone in our schools. We particularly welcome applicants from under-represented groups including those based on ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

We reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy at any time ahead of the closing date if there is a good level of response. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application as early as possible.

We also reserve the right to interview shortlisted candidates ahead of the closing date.

Please be advised that references may be requested on receipt of your application. Please state if you wish this to be delayed until shortlisting/interviews have taken place.