Head of RE

Head of Religious Education

Cottenham Village College

Salary: MPS-UPS plus TLR2D
Contract: Permanent, 0.6 FTE (3 days per week)

Cottenham Village College is seeking to appoint an exceptional Head of Religious Education to lead and develop our RE department. This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious and passionate practitioner to shape a knowledge-rich curriculum, drive high standards of achievement and inspire a love of learning among scholars.

As part of Astrea Academy Trust, Cottenham Village College is committed to providing an exceptional education that enables every scholar to fulfil their potential. We have high expectations for all, a strong culture of scholarship and an unwavering belief that knowledge empowers young people to succeed. Our staff benefit from a collaborative environment, excellent professional development opportunities and the chance to work with colleagues who are dedicated to improving outcomes for every scholar.

This role would suit an experienced teacher with the vision, subject expertise and leadership skills to build on existing strengths and ensure Religious Education remains a thriving and valued subject within the academy.

• Lead, manage and develop the Religious Education department.
• Raise standards of attainment and achievement across all year groups within RE.
• Design, implement and continually refine a rigorous, knowledge-rich RE curriculum.
• Lead, support and develop colleagues within the department through coaching, collaboration and professional development.
• Monitor scholar progress and use assessment information effectively to inform teaching and intervention strategies.
• Ensure consistently high-quality teaching, learning and assessment across the department.
• Develop curriculum resources, schemes of learning and assessment approaches that support excellent outcomes.
• Promote high standards of behaviour, engagement and scholarship within lessons.
• Keep abreast of national curriculum developments and ensure departmental practice reflects current best practice.
• Contribute to whole-school improvement priorities and work collaboratively with other leaders across the academy.
• Manage departmental resources effectively and support strategic planning within the faculty.
• Ensure all departmental practices comply with safeguarding, health and safety and academy policies.

We are looking for a talented professional who can combine outstanding classroom practice with strong leadership and a passion for Religious Education.

The successful candidate will have:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• A degree in Religious Education or a closely related subject.
• A proven track record of successful teaching and securing strong outcomes for scholars.
• Experience of leading, mentoring or supporting colleagues within a department.
• Excellent subject knowledge and a commitment to delivering a knowledge-rich curriculum.
• The ability to inspire and engage scholars of all abilities.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to use data effectively to raise achievement.
• High expectations of behaviour, effort and academic standards.
• A commitment to inclusive teaching that supports the needs of all learners.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• A collaborative approach and a commitment to professional growth.
• A genuine passion for Religious Education and the impact it can have on young people's understanding of the world.

At Cottenham Village College, you'll join a dedicated team committed to transforming life chances through education. This role offers the opportunity to shape the future of Religious Education within a supportive and ambitious school community while benefiting from the opportunities and collaboration available across Astrea Academy Trust.