Surbiton High School - Teacher of Politics

Summary

Surbiton High School is seeking an enthusiastic, knowledgeable and inspiring Teacher of Politics to join our successful Sixth Form.

Detail

Teacher of Politics

Tenure: Permanent, Part-time (3-4 days per week)

Start Date: January 2027

Salary: Competitive – Surbiton High School Pay Scale

Surbiton High School is seeking an enthusiastic, knowledgeable and inspiring Teacher of Politics to join our successful Sixth Form. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate educator to teach A Level Politics within a thriving department, while also contributing to the teaching of History across the School. We are looking for someone who can inspire intellectual curiosity, encourage independent thinking and empower students to achieve their very best.

About the Department

The Politics Department is a small, highly collaborative team of two teachers, both of whom also teach History across KS3, KS4 and KS5. We have an excellent academic record, with 64% of all students achieving A* in 2026, and 82% A*-A. In 2025, A*-A was 92% (38% A*). Numbers range from 12-18 a year opting to study Politics A level, with over half the cohort choosing to go on to study a Politics-related degree at university, including at Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh and King’s College, London.

Politics has a particularly strong co-curricular profile. The Department runs the highly successful Model United Nations (MUN) Club, giving students the opportunity to debate international issues, develop their public speaking and negotiation skills, and engage with politics beyond the classroom. Sixth Form students also benefit from running Politics Club for younger pupils, and mock elections and debates in line with the political calendar. A programme of guest speakers brings politicians, journalists, academics and other practitioners into the School to share their expertise and challenge students’ thinking. Together, these opportunities create a vibrant political culture within the School, offering students across the school the chance to develop confidence, intellectual curiosity and a genuine enthusiasm for Politics.

What You Will Do

• Deliver engaging and academically challenging Politics lessons at A Level.
• Teach History across Key Stages 3, 4 and 5.
• Foster pupils' curiosity, independence and confidence through inspiring and thought-provoking teaching.
• Support pupils' academic progress and wellbeing, including undertaking pastoral responsibilities where required.
• Create a stimulating classroom environment that encourages discussion, critical thinking and intellectual engagement.
• Plan, assess, mark and provide feedback in line with School policies.
• Contribute to the department's extensive co-curricular programme, including Model United Nations, Politics Club, debates and enrichment opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to develop resources, schemes of work and innovative teaching approaches.
• Participate actively in professional development and training opportunities.

What We Are Looking For

• A passionate and knowledgeable Politics specialist with strong subject expertise.
• The ability and enthusiasm to teach History alongside Politics.
• The ability, or potential, to deliver inspiring lessons across KS3, GCSE and A Level.
• Excellent communication, organisational and ICT skills.
• A collaborative and reflective practitioner who enjoys working as part of a supportive team.
• The ability to build positive relationships with pupils, parents and colleagues.
• High expectations for pupil attainment, engagement and personal development.
• A commitment to the values and ethos of Surbiton High School.
• ECTs are warmly encouraged to apply, with excellent mentoring and support available through our ECT training programme.

Why Join Us?

• A supportive, collegiate and forward‑thinking Classics department.
• Outstanding facilities and well‑resourced teaching spaces.
• A rich programme of trips, visits and co‑curricular opportunities.
• Excellent professional development and career support.
• A vibrant, ambitious school community that values scholarship and creativity.

Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for further details.

If you are inspired by the opportunity to contribute to this vibrant and high‑achieving department, we would be delighted to receive your application.

Surbiton High School holds a Skilled Worker sponsorship licence and, subject to all the relevant legal requirements being met, we would be willing to consider sponsorship for the successful candidate.

Surbiton High School is culturally diverse and fully committed to celebrating and respecting inclusion and diversity throughout our community.

Surbiton High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service and online/social media searches.

Please note that the School reserves the right to appoint at any stage during the recruitment process.

For any queries relating to the role or your application, please email recruitment@surbitonhigh.com

Documents

• H. United Learning Equality Guidelines PDF Document
• Teacher of Politics - Job Description & Person Specification - Sept 2026 PDF Document