Head of Politics

• Job title: Head of Politics
• Job Type: Full Time, permanent
• Salary: £49,663-£76,199 per annum
• Department: Department of Politics
• Reporting to: Assistant Head (Director of Studies)
• Location: Highgate, North London
• Start: September 2026
• Closing Date: 4 February 2026 at 8:00 am

Highgate is looking for an enthusiastic and inspiring Head of Politics, starting in September 2026. The position would suit an experienced teacher.

Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in Politics, or a related degree such as PPE, International Relations, etc. from a university with an excellent reputation for Politics. Applicants should be experienced Sixth Form teachers who demonstrate a profound and continuing academic interest in their subject and an enthusiasm for sharing this passion with pupils and colleagues. The successful candidate will have excellent managerial instincts, a commitment to professional development, an enthusiasm for learning, and the ability to reflect deeply on their practice.

The successful applicant will lead an experienced department of five teachers who regularly teach up to 100 pupils across the Sixth Form, making Politics one of the most popular subjects at A Level. The pupils currently follow the Edexcel specification, which covers UK Politics, Political ideologies, and US Politics. Outcomes in A-Level Politics are excellent, and well above national averages: in 2025, our Politics cohort of 28 achieved 57% A /A. A majority of these pupils applied for Politics or a Politics related degree at university. Pupils regularly take up places at Oxford and Cambridge, as well as at overseas universities.

The Politics department runs a weekly programme of extension classes to Year 12 pupils (often collaborating with other Sixth Form departments) in the Lent term, introducing pupils to topics outside the scope of the A-level curriculum. This programme continues in Year 13 as a more bespoke mentoring programme for all Sixth Formers who intend to pursue Politics, or a related discipline, at university.

Colleagues in the department also have a significant co-curricular footprint, including the popular current affairs focused Masaryk Society (which attracts over 30 pupils from all years every week), the Lower School Politics Society, the annual pupil-led publication The Arbiter and running mock elections. New for 2026, colleagues in the Politics department will teach all Year 10 pupils an in-house 24-lesson course on Political Literacy.

The department is well equipped and resourced, with its own classrooms and dedicated office, which is shared with colleagues in the Economics and History of Art departments. Colleagues in this office are highly collaborative. All classrooms have large digital screens which connect wirelessly to teachers' MS Surface devices. Members of the Politics Department can and do teach History or Economics, though the ability to teach another subject is neither a requirement, nor a recommendation, for this post.

Essential Professional:

• Experience as a Senior Teacher in Sixth Form.
• Strong academic background in Politics or related discipline.
• Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills.
• Commitment to professional development and reflective practice.
• Strong communication and relational skills with pupils, staff and parents.

Desirable Professional Criteria:

• Experience in developing extension or enrichment programmes.
• Experience in running or leading student societies.
• Knowledge of interdisciplinary areas such as political philosophy, history, anthropology, and law.

• Support: A welcoming, comfortable and exceptionally well-resourced environment with significant assistance from a range of support staff.
• Pension: The School pays the employer's contribution to the Teachers' Pension Scheme.
• Professional development: Comprehensive induction. Focus on continued learning and development for all employees.
• Holidays: Terms are shorter than in the maintained sector.
• Location: Highgate Village, adjacent to Hampstead Heath, with quaint shops and easy connections across London.
• Facilities: Free access, at stipulated times, to our sports facilities, including a fitness suite and new swimming pool. Staff can borrow from 1,700 books held in the Sir Martin Gilbert Library.
• Lunch: Free tea and coffee. A complimentary lunch including hot meals, sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit and dessert.
• Sustainable travel: Access to the Cycle to Work Scheme and a Season Ticket Loan scheme for public transport.
• Flexible working: Flexibility for parents, enhanced maternity pay and paid dependant leave.

• Closing Date: 4 February 2026
• Timing of interviews: Week commencing 9 February

Contact: James Newton , Deputy Head (Academic) is happy to answer any questions about this post.

Early Application: Applications will be considered 'as and when' received and we may close the vacancy if we appoint before the closing date.

We know that more diverse teams are stronger teams, and that the more inclusive we are, the more our staff and pupils will feel a sense of belonging and thrive. To enable us to make reasonable adjustments, please let us know of any disabilities (including neuro divergence) when you submit your application.

As this role will have regular unsupervised contact with children you must, if appointed, comply with Highgate's Safeguarding Policy and Staff Code of Conduct. You must report any safeguarding concerns immediately in accordance with the policies. A copy of these policies will accompany all offers of employment and training will be provided to support safeguarding practice.

Highgate is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service and overseas police checks if necessary. Candidates from overseas must provide information about their past conduct, for example, by providing documents issued by overseas teaching authorities.

The role is 'exempt' from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; you are required to declare any convictions that are not 'protected' as defined by the Act. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide details of all unspent convictions prior to the interview.