Teacher of History & Politics

Gateways School
Harewood
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS17 9LE

About Gateways School

Gateways is an independent day school for boys and girls aged 2 to 18. Situated on a 16 acre site in the rural village of Harewood, Gateways is conveniently located on the main artery between Leeds and Harrogate.

Gateways is a small school, which allows staff to know their pupils, recognise their strengths and weaknesses and therefore provide a personal education getting the best out of each and every child who come through the gates.

Aims and Ethos

Gateways is a forward-thinking school built on traditional values.

Our ethos is rooted in three core values which apply to all of our stakeholders, that of Growth, Wellbeing & Success.

At Gateways we:

o Grow our knowledge, skills and confidence, supporting others to do the same;

Build our resilience and self-awareness in a kind and inclusive environment;

o Achieve our full potential in preparation for the next challenge.

Staff Benefits*

o Free lunch during term time

o Access to a defined contribution pension scheme, including 4 x death in service benefit and income protection

o Access to a staff wellbeing room

o Access to an employee assistance programme (EAP)

o Access to CPD, including The Teachers CPD Academy and TES Develop

o Cycle to work and electric car schemes

o Fee remission for eligible children

*subject to eligibility

Growth

Teacher of History & Politics

Introduction

We are looking to recruit a talented, enthusiastic and inspirational Teacher of History and Politics to join an established and extremely successful Department. The department consists of four additional staff and is inclusive of History, Politics, Classical Civilisation and Latin. There is a possibility of a Department Leader role for the right candidate.

The ideal candidate will be an excellent communicator who will convey their passion for all areas of History to pupils of all ages and abilities. You will be willing to make a full contribution to the development of the teaching and learning of History throughout the school, including the Prep Department. You will be expected to deliver exciting and varied lessons which engage pupils and encourage them to develop their skills and understanding of the subject. The ideal candidate should show initiative and confidence in the subject, aiming to stretch our able pupils whilst also having the flexibility to support our less able pupils. You will be a High School Form Tutor helping to support pupils' wellbeing.

Key Conditions

❖ Start Date: 1st September 2026.

❖ Contract: Full time, Permanent.

❖ Salary: FTE annual salary of £32,701 - £47,523, depending on experience Plus 1 Responsibility Point for the Subject Leader position

GATEWAYS SCHOOL

Purpose of the Role & General Responsibilities

Purpose of the Role

• To teach History effectively across the High School and Sixth Form.

• To promote improvement of academic standards throughout the School.

• To raise standards of pupil attainment and achievement within teaching groups and to monitor and support pupil progress, growth and success in line with the expectations of the school.

• To accurately track the progress and achievements of pupils within teaching groups and provide feedback to enable them to progress at least in line with expectations.

• To be accountable for pupil progress and development within teaching groups against targets set by the school using prior attainment data.

• To provide support and intervention for pupils at risk of under-achieving so supporting their wellbeing.

• To make effective use of physical and on-line resources within and outside of lessons.

• To participate in collaborative planning and sharing good practice with other members of the Department.

• To contribute to the development of the curriculum area and subject specific resources.

• To enthuse pupils with a love of History.

• To report on pupil progress in line with the school reporting and assessment schedule and develop effective relationships with pupils and parents.

• To contribute to the wider development of pupils via the extra-curricular programme.

General responsibilities, including personal and professional conduct

• Be responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

• Follow all School policies and procedures, including the Staff Code of Conduct.

• Attend meetings, staff briefings and CPD sessions.

• Attend all training and development days.

• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous development, identify opportunities for professional development and undertake training opportunities where appropriate.

• Maintain confidentiality inside and outside the School, following all GDPR and Data Protection legislation.

• Manage and prioritise your own workload in line with the requirements of the department and School.

• Establish effective working relationships with professional colleagues.

• Be a role model for students through personal presentation and professional conduct.

• Present a positive personal image, contributing to a welcoming School environment.

• Contribute to the ethos of the School, ensuring the School’s values are displayed.

• Support School events.

• Carry out any other duties required by the Head.

Job Description

Key responsibilities

• All teachers are expected to meet the national teachers’ standards.

To teach to the highest standard, aiming to be the foremost advocate of the teaching of the subject within the department.

• To keep up-to-date of new techniques and concepts in the subject.

• To ensure that correct procedures are adopted and maintained by all who work in the department.

• To keep abreast of developments in Higher Education and with entrance procedures/requirements for subject related courses.

• Deliver appropriate schemes of work and/or Public Examination specifications.

• To regularly set and mark work including examinations according to whole school policies.

• Assess pupil performance regularly and maintain accurate and up to date records of this performance.

Within lessons provide differentiated learning experiences setting realistic targets and include opportunities for independent learning.

• Be aware of and plan for the SEND requirements of each pupil.

• Provide opportunities to stretch and challenge the more able pupils.

• To make use of technology to enhance the delivery of your subject including the use of school wide online resources.

• Attend Parents Evenings as required.

• To communicate directly with parents throughout the year as necessary following school guidelines.

• Complete reports in a timely manner as specified on the school assessment and reporting schedule.

• Refresh displays in classrooms and common areas, ensuring they are stimulating relevant.

• To contribute to the wider life of the school through extra-curricular involvement both within and outside of your subject.

Organise appropriate educational visits, super-curricular opportunities and promote crosscurricular links.

• To act as a Form Tutor / Associate Form Tutor.

• To be aware of the risk assessments for any relevant teaching spaces.

• Undertake duties, including homework club, as required according to duty rota's.

• Identify opportunities to address spiritual, moral, social and cultural dimensions and thinking skills in schemes of learning.

• To promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance and to model these values in one’s everyday professional life.

Please refer to the Subject Leader Job Description for further information on this role.

Please note, this job description is not a definitive list of the responsibilities of the role. Responsibilities will be varied to meet the changing demands of the department and the School. Job descriptions are reviewed as part of the appraisal process.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• (E) Good Honours Degree in a related subject.

• (E) QTS/PGCE.

• (D) Further training or qualification in a related area.

Experience

• (E) Successful experience teaching History across High School and Sixth Form.

• (E) Knowledge and experience of implementing best practice teaching strategies.

• (E) Delivering exciting and varied lessons which engage pupils and encourage them to develop.

• (E) Supporting students to make progress.

Skills

• (E) Competence in the use of IT and mobile technologies as a tool to enhance teaching and learning.

• (E) The ability to communicate effectively with pupils, parents and colleagues.

• (E) The ability to manage time, prioritise tasks, work under pressure and meet deadlines so that all duties are fulfilled effectively.

Methods of assessment include certificates, professional references, application form, interviews, observations and in tray tasks.

Specialist Knowledge

• (E) Ability to teach History & Politics to GCSE and A Level.

• (E) Up to date subject knowledge.

• (E) Knowledge of Office 365 and technology that enhances education.

• (D) Ability to teach Latin at KS3, GCSE or A Level.

• (D) Ability to teach another subject.

Personal Qualities

• (E) Ability to enthuse and motivate pupils.

• (E) Ability to work alone or as a member of a team as appropriate.

• (E) The flexibility to respond to the challenge of change.

• (E) Emotional resilience when working with challenging behaviours and appropriate attitude to the use of authority to maintain discipline.

Safeguarding

• (E) Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people.

• (E) Understanding of the importance of safeguarding and child protection.

• (E) Ability to maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children and young people.

Key

• (E) – Essential

• (D) – Desirable

GATEWAYS SCHOOL

Further information

How to Apply

Click here to visit our website and download an application form
Please send your completed application form and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to jobs@gatewaysschool.co.uk
Application Deadline: Monday 18th May 2026 at 8am
Interview Date: Week commencing 18th / 25th May 2026, subject to change

Enquiries

Please contact Rhiannon Morris, PA to the Head

E-mail: jobs@gatewaysschool.co.uk

Tel: 0113 824 2770

Policies

Click here to visit our website and view our policies, including our Safeguarding policy Click here to visit our jobs page and view our Safer Recruitment policy

Gateways School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its students and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments will be subject to an enhanced DBS with barred list check as well as a prohibition list check (where applicable).