Secondary Head of Business and Economics

Ark; London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Head of Department for Business & Economics. This pivotal role involves leading a dedicated team to deliver an exceptional curriculum that drives student progress and attainment. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in GCSE and BTEC, particularly the KS5 Pearson extended diploma, and a passion for fostering a nurturing and rigorous learning environment. Join a supportive community committed to academic excellence and the holistic development of students. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in a thriving educational setting.

Benefits

Salaries 2.5% higher than the main pay scale

Twice as many training days as standard

Generous pension scheme

Access to Ark rewards

Interest-free loans up to £5,000

Gym discounts up to 40%

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Experience in leading a Business & Economics curriculum.
• Strong understanding of GCSE and BTEC frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Business & Economics department effectively.
• Promote outstanding teaching and foster a strong school culture.

Skills

Curriculum Development

Teaching and Learning

GCSE and BTEC Knowledge

Leadership

Education

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Degree in Business or Economics

Job description

About The Role

Start date: September 2025

Description of the Post

To lead, develop, and manage the effective delivery of an outstanding Business & Economics curriculum, enabling the highest level of student progress and attainment.

The Head of Department will promote outstanding teaching and learning and foster a strong school culture within a nurturing and rigorous environment. They should have experience and a good understanding of both GCSE and BTEC, particularly the KS5 Pearson extended diploma in business courses.

For an informal telephone conversation about the role, contact Katie Marshall, Principal, on 020 8443 3113 or email [e-mail].

Benefits

• Salaries 2.5% higher than the main pay scale.
• Twice as many training days as standard.
• Generous pension scheme.
• Access to Ark rewards – savings from over 3,000 major retailers.
• Interest-free loans – up to £5,000 for season tickets or bicycles.
• Gym discounts – up to 40%.
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme – free, confidential counselling, legal advice, and support.

Find out more about the benefits of working for Ark here.

About Us

Ark John Keats was founded in 2013 and has grown from one reception class to an all-through school from nursery to year 13 with over 1700 students. Our secondary school is oversubscribed, with a waiting list for every year group. Our community is supportive, with families committed to our vision and their children's success.

We aim for all our children to have the academic knowledge to progress to university, to love learning and be curious about the world, and to be polite, responsible young people who take charge of their futures.

Ark John Keats is part of Ark Schools, a successful network serving pupils from deprived communities. Our six pillars guide our work; learn more about them here.

Contact and Location

Visit arkjohnkeats.org/jobs to learn more about us.

How to get to us?

By rail from central London: The nearest station, Turkey Street, is a 10-minute walk. It connects to Seven Sisters, Stoke Newington, Hackney Downs, and Liverpool Street. National Rail services are also accessible from Tottenham Hale and Hackney Downs.

By car: Easily accessible with free on-site parking for staff.

Diversity and Inclusion

We strive to build a diverse and inclusive organization where everyone can do their best work and reach their full potential. We value diverse perspectives to strengthen our community. Learn more about Ark’s diversity and inclusion commitments here.

Safeguarding

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff undergo an enhanced DBS check. Applicants must disclose any unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. Disclosure does not necessarily disqualify you; it depends on the circumstances. More details can be found here.

Note: Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, and the role may close early depending on response. We encourage early applications.