Teacher of Sociology; Part-time

The post would suit equally a newly or recently qualified teacher (ECT/RQT) or a more experienced teacher seeking a new challenge.

About OSH

Old Swinford Hospital is one of the country’s leading state boarding schools. A large number of the School’s students are boarders who come from a wide range of backgrounds in the UK and also from the EU and overseas. A third of our pupils are day pupils, who usually go home after lessons, unless they are involved in sport or music, CCF or DofE.

The School is now on an exciting journey to become fully co-educational by 2025. Girls joined us in September 2021 in Year 7, whilst the Sixth Form has been mixed since 2004.

OSH is a calm place to work. It is inclusive, tolerant and welcoming. The atmosphere is supportive and orderly, and it is also very relaxed because for many of our pupils their school is also their home. Parents, pupils and staff are all on the same side and our pupils want to learn before going out into the wider world and making their own contribution to it.

We have recently had two very favourable Ofsted visits, one for boarding and one for curriculum. You can see these via our website  We enjoy a very good academic reputation and regularly feature in the lists of the most academically successful maintained schools. We pride ourselves on developing in our pupils a balance of academic achievement, character and resilience.

Our extensive extra-curricular programme contributes to our pupils becoming happy, healthy and interested young people, for whom sport, music, art, drama, and outdoor pursuits feature in their everyday lives.

A major building programme has recently been completed which includes a large extension to an already impressive sports centre, an all-weather floodlit sports pitch, a new teaching block with a specialist arts room, a performing arts centre, and a new senior boarding house.

Sociology was delivered at OSH for the first time in September 2024, with one class at Year 12 level. The school has decided to add Sociology to its A Level provision owing to the national popularity of the subject as the 5th most undertaken A level, the successful take-up of Criminology as an enrichment topic after school for sixth form students, and the destinations of several ex-students to degrees in Criminology, Sociology, Education, and Law.

The school follows the AQA examination board.

Person Specification

• Genuine resilience, a ‘can-do’ attitude and an enthusiasm for teaching young people;
• A belief that young people have potential and can achieve, despite any obstacles they may face;
• A graduate teacher with a keen academic interest in the subject and beyond;
• The willingness and ability to teach at all key stages, as well as supporting university and interview preparation;
• The ability to teach Psychology at A-Level would be desirable but not essential;
• The ability to work as part of a successful and supportive team;
• Interest in taking an active part in the development of the curriculum within the school;
• Commitment to becoming a pro-active, reliable and supportive form tutor;
• Interest in contributing to extra-curricular activities, including sport, music, drama, and the adventure curriculum;
• Flexibility and imagination in developing new ideas and resources, as well as adapting to curriculum changes;
• The ability to make a contribution to the wider School curriculum and the personal development of our pupils;
• Commitment to the protection and safeguarding of children and young people.

General Job Specification and Conditions of Employment

The conditions of employment set out in the current School Teachers’ Pay and conditions Document will apply. The person appointed is responsible to the Subject Leader to carry out the duties and functions of a teacher in accordance with the Teaching Standards and the stated aims and objectives of the School and the Department.

The person appointed will:

• In consultation with the Subject Leader, plan, design and produce teaching materials and resources which are appropriate to age and ability and are in accordance with the School Development Plan and the Department Development…