Head of History - Independent School - Leicester

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an inspiring and ambitious Head of History to lead a successful Humanities department at a highly regarded independent school in Leicester. This is a rare leadership role for an outstanding History specialist who combines excellent classroom practice with the vision and drive to shape curriculum, support colleagues and build a strong culture of historical enquiry, scholarship and academic ambition across the school.

The school offers a calm, purposeful learning environment with excellent behaviour, strong pastoral care and a culture that values academic excellence and enrichment. With smaller class sizes, strong resources and highly motivated pupils, this is an outstanding opportunity to lead History in a setting where teachers can teach with depth and pupils genuinely enjoy challenge.

About the Role

As Head of History, you will provide strategic and day-to-day leadership for the subject, ensuring consistently high standards of teaching and strong outcomes across KS3–KS5. You will:

Lead curriculum design and sequencing across KS3, GCSE and A-Level
Drive high expectations in historical knowledge, source analysis, interpretation and essay writing
Coach and support colleagues through shared planning, modelling and professional dialogue
Use assessment intelligently to identify priorities, secure progress and stretch high attainers
Develop enrichment opportunities such as history societies, competitions, visiting speakers, trips and wider scholarship events
Promote a strong culture of academic enquiry where pupils engage thoughtfully with evidence, interpretation and debate

You will also teach History across the school, modelling excellent classroom practice and maintaining a strong subject presence.

The Department

History is a valued and popular subject within the school, and the department is collaborative, academically ambitious and well organised. Teachers share resources, plan carefully and maintain consistent approaches to assessment to support strong outcomes.

The department values:

Knowledge-rich teaching that builds deep understanding over time
Strong disciplinary thinking, including causation, significance, change and continuity
High expectations for analytical writing, argument and evidence
Enquiry-led learning supported by careful questioning and discussion
Enrichment that promotes scholarship beyond the classroom

The new Head of History will have the opportunity to build on existing strengths, refine curriculum plans and further develop stretch, challenge and enrichment across the subject.

About the School

This Leicester independent school is known for high academic standards and a supportive culture. Pupils are respectful, engaged and ambitious, creating calm classrooms where teachers can focus on teaching and learning.

The school places strong emphasis on academic excellence balanced with wider development, offering a broad co-curricular programme and strong pastoral support. Staff benefit from a professional working environment where expertise is valued, collaboration is strong and leadership is well supported.

Key Information
Location: Leicester
Start Date: ASAP / next term (or by agreement)
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Salary: Highly competitive, dependent on experience

What the School is Looking For

The successful candidate will:

Hold QTS (or an equivalent recognised teaching qualification)
Have strong subject knowledge in History
Demonstrate successful experience teaching across KS3–KS5
Have leadership experience, or show clear readiness to step into a leadership role
Show strong curriculum knowledge and the ability to drive improvement through planning and assessment
Be an excellent classroom practitioner with high expectations and strong academic standards
Contribute positively to wider school life, including enrichment and scholarship

Applications are welcomed from established Heads of Department and ambitious candidates ready to step into leadership in a supportive independent setting.

Why Join This School

Lead a high-profile subject in a calm, high-achieving environment
Teach motivated pupils in smaller classes with strong resources
Strong culture of scholarship, enrichment and co-curricular life
Supportive leadership and a professional staff culture
Opportunity to shape curriculum and make a lasting impact

This is a fantastic opportunity for a History leader who wants to drive excellence, inspire historical curiosity and lead a thriving department in a highly regarded Leicester independent school.