Head of Humanities

ROLE SUMMARY:

PaRK International School is a top-tier international school based in the beautiful city of Lisbon, that aims to guide and inspire students to be happy and successful in their adult lives. The school has built a reputation for gaining outstanding academic results whilst ensuring every member of the community is treated as an individual. Students leave our school prepared for academic excellence, proficient in more than one language and comfortable with exploring their own academic curiosity through research and exploration. 

PaRK is a true international community serving students from over 60 different countries. PaRK students make friends for life and understand the importance of service within one’s neighbourhood and the World through practical engagement.

While PaRK is an organisation committed to academic excellence, we believe that this is only possible if we are also committed to the personal and professional growth of our staff. All staff are encouraged to engage in professional development activities, working with other colleagues to improve their practice and the practice of others. 

All staff at ParK IS are actively involved in the pastoral life of school, the school strives to ensure students reach their academic potential whilst still being able to develop key social skills needed to thrive later in life. The role will also offer the opportunity for contribution to co-curricular clubs and enrichment.

To join our team, in August 2025, we are looking for a well-qualified and talented Head of Humanities to lead a department consisting of Geography, History, Global Perspectives and Psychology. The ability to teach any of these subjects at A-Level or IBDP Level would be an advantage. 

In addition to your interest in this role, you might also be interested in our annual in-person global career event, taking place in London on Saturday 18th January 2025. This school and up to 35 other schools from across the UK and international Inspired Education network will be attending and looking to speak to people seeking a new teaching role from August 2025. For more information and to register your interest in the event, please click here: https://jobs.inspirededu.com/job-invite/3761/

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead and Manage the Humanities Department – Oversee the subjects within the department (Geography, History, Global Perspectives, and Psychology) and ensure high-quality teaching and learning standards across all levels, including GCSE, A-Level, and IBDP.

• Inspire and Motivate Staff and Students – Foster a positive and engaging learning environment, motivating students to achieve their best and building strong relationships with colleagues and parents.

• Curriculum Development and Implementation – Develop and implement a rich, diverse curriculum for the Humanities subjects, ensuring alignment with GCSE, A-Level, and IBDP standards.

• Student Achievement and Progress – Monitor and track student progress through effective assessment practices, ensuring students are on track to meet academic targets, and providing timely intervention when necessary.

• Strategic Planning and Department Growth – Contribute to school improvement planning by setting departmental priorities that align with the school’s overall development goals.

• Teaching and Learning Excellence – Plan and deliver exemplary lessons that engage students, support individual learning needs, and foster critical thinking and independent inquiry.

• Team Collaboration and Development – Work closely with teachers to support their professional growth, providing mentorship and facilitating professional development opportunities to improve teaching practices within the department.

• Promote Extra-Curricular Engagement – Lead and promote extra-curricular activities such as educational trips and initiatives that enrich the learning experience and foster a broader understanding of the Humanities.

• Uphold Student Well-being and Pastoral Care – Promote the well-being of students through effective communication with the well-being team, parents, and other staff members, ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment.

• Maintain High Standards of Professional Conduct – Ensure compliance with school policies, including health and safety, equal opportunities, and safeguarding, while maintaining high ethical and professional standards within the department.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE:

• A degree in one of the Humanities subjects (Geography, History, Global Perspectives, or Psychology) or a closely related field, with a teaching qualification (PGCE, QTS, or equivalent) preferred.

• Proven experience in leading or managing a department or team, demonstrating strong leadership skills to inspire and develop both staff and students.

• Comprehensive knowledge of the GCSE, A-Level, and/or IBDP curricula, with the ability to teach at least one of these subjects at A-Level or IBDP level.

• A strong record of fostering student achievement and progress through effective teaching methods, assessment strategies, and student tracking.

• Expertise in adapting lessons and teaching strategies to meet the diverse learning needs of students, ensuring inclusivity and engagement.

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build trust and positive relationships with students, staff, and parents.

• Willingness to engage in continuous learning and professional growth, staying up-to-date with the latest educational developments.

• Ability to work effectively in a team and contribute to whole-school initiatives, with a commitment to the school’s development goals.

• Experience in organizing and leading extracurricular activities, such as trips, clubs, or competitions, that enrich the Humanities learning experience.

• A strong understanding of safeguarding practices and a commitment to promoting student welfare in both academic and pastoral capacities.

SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT

Inspired Education Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practices and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.