- Job title: Teacher of Economics
- Job Type: Full-time, permanent
- Salary: £37,904-£63,920 per annum
- Department: Economics Department
- Reporting to: Head of Economics
- Location: Highgate, North London
- Start: September 2025
- Closing Date: 13 March 2025 at 8:00 am
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A well-qualified, inspiring Economics graduate, or a closely related discipline, is required for September 2025, to teach at this academically selective, coeducational North London day school.
Applicants should be academically well qualified and be able to teach Economics with confidence to the most able Sixth Form pupils, as well as assist in elite university applications. The school has significant experience in successfully training teachers who enter the profession without formal teaching qualifications and in providing suitable opportunities for continued professional development for experienced teachers. The school supports colleagues who wish to gain Qualified Teaching Status.
The Department The Economics Department is committed to embedding in students a conceptual understanding of economics and an appreciation for its applications to wider social issues. Through our teaching, we aim to foster a genuine passion for economics and to create resilient, independent and thoughtful learners, who engage with the subject at the deepest level.
Progressive in its outlook, the department emphasises the development and sharing of best practice. Peer observation is welcomed and encouraged. The department office, in which every member of the team has their own desk space, is shared with the Politics Department and provides an extremely collaborative and supportive environment, offering plenty of opportunity for spirited discussion and professional dialogue. Several colleagues teach both politics and economics, and this could be considered for the successful applicant, though it is not a requirement.
Economics is one of the most popular A level subjects at Highgate, studied by approximately 130 pupils in the Sixth Form and there are currently five full-time members of the Economics Department. The department is extremely well equipped and resourced, with the department office located conveniently close to dedicated classrooms.
In addition to the extensive in-house programme of professional development, a generous department budget for CPD is used for exam-board training and subject specific conferences.
The Department has a strong reputation for enabling pupils to be involved in economics beyond the classroom. There is a popular Politics and Economics Affairs Society that meets weekly where students can discuss contemporary issues, as well as speaker talks organised throughout the academic year. Students are encouraged to enter essay competitions, attend public lectures and to attend an extensive in-house academic extension programme that explores a range of economic ideas and issues that don't feature on the A-level curriculum.
The Department follows the Eduqas A level specification, with all assessment under this linear specification taking place at the end of the two-year A-level course. The department achieves impressive results in public examinations and supports a good number of Oxbridge applicants each year. The successful applicant would be expected to teach and stretch A* calibre pupils and to participate fully in the department's Oxbridge preparation and extension programme.
My Economics teachers consistently underscore the importance of learning first principles to garner a deep understanding of models. This, combined with a discursive learning environment and the importance of contemporary applications, has made me fall in love with the subject and want to pursue it at university.
- Max, Year 13
Person Specification
Highgate School seeks to appoint teachers who will have, in addition to the professional qualities outlined below, the following proven personal qualities, or the potential to develop them. At interview, candidates will have the opportunity to demonstrate or give an account of these attributes.- The energy, dynamism and stamina to contribute fully to the life of a busy co-educational independent day school.
- Willingness to contribute to the extensive range of activities provided for pupils and to support them in their co-curricular pursuits.
- Capacity for industry and initiative in both independent work and as part of teams of colleagues in academic work, pastoral care, sports and co-curricular activities.
- Profound and continuing interest in the academic subject / s to be taught.
- The depth of knowledge and agility of mind to allow flexibility in lessons, adapting delivery as appropriate in the light of pupils' responses.
- Empathy with pupils across the age and ability spectrum at Highgate and the ability to implement a range of teaching strategies to cater for each individual pupil.
- Awareness and understanding of matters relating to the personal, social, health and emotional development of Highgate's pupils.
- General knowledge of Child Protection issues and good practice, particularly relating to professional obligations on safeguarding the welfare of each child and avoiding guarantees of confidentiality in any disclosure.
- Capacity to deal sensitively with problems raised by pupils, in line with Highgate's pastoral policies and sanctions system, working in partnership with Highgate's designated staff i/c pastoral care.
- Ability to create effective rapport and a sound relationship with pupils, earning their respect and trust but maintaining proper professional boundaries by not deliberately courting popularity or friendship.
- Willingness and ability to liaise effectively and professionally between pupils, staff and parents when required, making accurate records of these exchanges.
- Patience and thoughtfulness to see any issues that may arise with pupils, parents or colleagues from a variety of perspectives.
- The ability to de-fuse difficult situations using different strategies such as careful listening, sensitive use of humour, praise and recognition where due, utilising the School's reward system.
- Retention of a sense of perspective and, on occasion, the invaluable ability to laugh at oneself.
Essential Professional Criteria
- Criteria
- How will these be tested or verified?
- A good honours degree in Economics or a related subject
- Original degree certificate(s)
- Questions about subject specialisation (and course content for more recent graduates)
- Opportunities at interview to discuss techniques for teaching set topics
- Excellent communication skills
- Two panel interviews
- A taught lesson
- The ability to use ICT fully in the teaching of Economics, or a willingness to learn the skills
- Observed in the lesson
- Opportunities to recount experience and expertise at interview
- The ability to establish good relations with colleagues and pupils
- Opportunities at interview to recount experiences where these skills have been demonstrated.
- Questions that referees will be asked as part of the confidential reference request.
- Sympathy with and knowledge of fundamental British values
- Questions at interview to test this
- Awareness and understanding of safeguarding and welfare of children
- Questions at interview to test attitudes towards and knowledge of children's safeguarding and welfare
- Questions which referees will be asked as part of the confidential reference request
Desirable Professional Criteria
- Criteria
- How will these be tested or verified?
- Experience of teaching academic lessons, either as an employed teacher or during a teaching placement, and an understanding of effective assessment
- A 50-minute lesson to be taught
- Potentially, the opportunity to comment on and grade pupils' written work
- A teaching qualification (eg PGCE, GTP)
- Experience of teaching successfully in an academically selective school
- Opportunities at interview to recount experiences
- Knowledge of, and experience of, teaching Economic at A Level
- Opportunities at interview to recount experience of teaching and of successful strategies used in teaching these topics
- A willingness to be involved in the wider life of the department (e.g. Economics visits and seminars)
- Opportunities at interview to recount experience of running or participating in such activities or to give ideas for these
BenefitsSupport | A welcoming, comfortable and exceptionally well-resourced environment with significant assistance from a range of support staff.
Pension | The School pays the employer's contribution to the Teachers' Pension Scheme.
Professional development | Comprehensive induction. Focus on continued learning and development for all employees.
Holidays | Terms are shorter than in the maintained sector.
Location | Highgate Village, adjacent to Hampstead Heath, with quaint shops and easy connections across London.
Facilities | Free access, at stipulated times, to our sports facilities, including a fitness suite and new swimming pool. Staff can borrow from 1,700 books held in the Sir Martin Gilbert Library.
Lunch | Free tea and coffee A complimentary lunch including hot meals, sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit and dessert.
Sustainable travel | Access to the Cycle to Work Scheme and a Season Ticket Loan scheme for public transport.
Flexible working | Flexibility for parents, enhanced maternity pay and paid dependant leave.
Working at HighgateA culture of community, kindness and belongingHighgate is a caring, open-minded community, where we promote kindness, empathy and friendship. Everyone who works and studies with us deserves to feel they are part of a welcoming environment that enables them to be themselves and to thrive as individuals.
Our community extends beyond the school, through partnerships, charity work and our commitment to equality, inclusion and sustainability. All members of our school community are encouraged to look outwards and play an active role.
Following a visit from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) in September 2024 to assess Highgate's regulatory compliance and school standards, we are pleased to share the inspection findings, which reports compliance in all five areas and a 'significant strength' in our teaching expertise.
Staff wellbeingHighgate is committed to staff wellbeing, which we promote by encouraging a strong work-life balance; trying our best to support flexible working requests; providing a nutritious complimentary lunch in the dining hall; and offering access to sporting facilities including our recently renovated swimming pool.
The Staff Wellbeing Committee, with representatives across the School, meets regularly to drive forward initiatives, and a selection of staff have been trained as Mental-Health First Aiders.
We encourage an open culture throughout our school, with regular staff surveys, action committees and opportunities to feedback. We strive for continual learning and improvement, and staff training and development is paramount. There are opportunities to participate in the wider life of our school, such as taking part in trips or societies and getting involved in partnership projects.
More details about working at Highgate can be found here:
Work with us Aims + Ethos
A fun, collaborative and forward-thinking environment with a real sense of community
- Philippa Studd, Junior School Principal
Working at HighgateA culture of community, kindness and belongingHighgate is a caring, open-minded community, where we promote kindness, empathy and friendship. Everyone who works and studies with us deserves to feel they are part of a welcoming environment that enables them to be themselves and to thrive as individuals.
Our community extends beyond the school, through partnerships, charity work and our commitment to equality, inclusion and sustainability. All members of our school community are encouraged to look outwards and play an active role.
In a recent ISI inspection (Dec 2021), it was noted that "Pupils show exceptional respect for, and appreciate diversity within the school and wider community, and their own and other cultures, demonstrating sensitivity and tolerance to those from different backgrounds and traditions."
Staff wellbeingHighgate is committed to staff wellbeing, which we promote by encouraging a strong work-life balance; trying our best to support flexible working requests; providing a nutritious complimentary lunch in the dining hall; and offering access to sporting facilities including our recently renovated swimming pool.
The Staff Wellbeing Committee, with representatives across the School, meets regularly to drive forward initiatives, and a selection of staff have been trained as Mental-Health First Aiders.
We encourage an open culture throughout our school, with regular staff surveys, action committees and opportunities to feedback. We strive for continual learning and improvement, and staff training and development is paramount. There are opportunities to participate in the wider life of our school, such as taking part in trips or societies and getting involved in partnership projects.
More details about working at Highgate can be found here:
Work with us Aims + Ethos
Application procedure- Closing Date: 13th March 2025
- Timing of interviews: We will interview excellent candidates as they apply, in an effort to suit colleagues with longer notice periods.
Contact: James Newton , Deputy Head (Academic) and Tom Goddin , Head of Economics, are happy to answer any questions about this post.
Early Application: Applications will be considered 'as and when' received and we may close the vacancy if we appoint before the closing date.
Apply here
InclusionWe know that more diverse teams are stronger teams, and that the more inclusive we are, the more our staff and pupils will feel a sense of belonging and will thrive. To enable us to make reasonable adjustments, please let us know of any disabilities (including neuro-divergence) when you submit your application.
SafeguardingAs this role will have regular unsupervised contact with children you must, if appointed, comply with Highgate's Safeguarding Policy and Staff Code of Conduct. If, in the course of carrying out the duties of the post, the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety and welfare of our pupils, these concerns must be reported immediately in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy. If, while in the post, Highgate becomes aware of any safeguarding concerns to staff, pupils or the community, these will need to be followed up in line with the safeguarding policy and code of conduct which is underpinned by KCSE and other legislation. These concerns may need to be shared with other agencies. A copy of these policies will accompany all offers of employment. Training will also be provided to all staff to support Safeguarding practice.
Please read before you applyHighgate is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service and overseas police check if necessary. Candidates from overseas must provide information about their past conduct, for example, by providing documents issued by overseas teaching authorities.
Please note that this role is 'exempt' from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore, you are required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that are not 'protected' (i.e. filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide details of all unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview.
In accordance with the latest guidance from KCSIE, we shall be conducting online searches on any candidates who are shortlisted.