Teacher of Economics

Epsom College is an inspiring place to work, renowned for delivering an excellent all-round education to 1,100 girls and boys aged 11-18. We are proud to have been judged ‘Independent School of the Year 2023’ and named by The Sunday Times as the “UK’s Most Improved School” in its 2024 Parent Power league tables.

The College has grown significantly in the past six years, with pupil numbers rising 38% as the result of the opening of our Lower School in 2016, and strong growth throughout the rest of the College. We admit pupils into Years 7, 9, and 12, with an average of five applicants for every space.

Epsom is a happy school. The College values of kindness, ambition and integrity are at heart of all that we do. Almost all our pupils remain with us for their A-levels, and staff retention is equally strong. Around 60% of staff live onsite, which lends the College a sense of community and togetherness.

From 8am until 6pm, our 72-acre campus is alive with learning; academic lessons also take place on Saturday mornings meaning that pupils have time each day to learn and develop outside the classroom. Our co-curricular programme – which features a vast array of clubs, societies and activities each week – is award-winning (picking up the ‘Best of the Best’ accolade from The Week for six consecutive years); our CCF is one of the largest in the UK; and our Duke of Edinburgh programme currently has over 100 pupils completing their Gold or Silver award.

In addition, our timetable features wellbeing lessons, an award-winning Personal Social Development offering, and an hour each week for volunteering in the community. Last year Epsom pupils gave 8,500 hours of their time to help local charities, schools, and community groups.

When pupils aren’t busy with all of the above, they can relax and catch up with friends in their House. We have 13 single-sex Houses for all our pupils from Year 9 upwards (whether they are day pupils or boarders). This combination of single sex accommodation within a co-ed environment provides pupils with the best of both worlds.

The fact our Houses are physical buildings, where pupils can step through the door into a space that’s entirely their own, is key to the success of our pastoral programme. The Carnegie Centre for Excellence in Mental Health in Schools honoured us with their Gold Award – making us one of just four UK boarding school to receive their top accolade – and in 2023 we were judged Independent School of the Year for Student Wellbeing.

Sport is central to the College. Last year, we won national titles in Squash, Tennis, Rugby and Shooting; and reached the national finals in Hockey, Golf and Swimming. Over 22 sports are offered to our pupils, and the aim is to encourage participation for all – we regularly field D and E teams, and see an average of 90% of pupils playing competitive fixtures.

Our focus on delivering an all-round education that develops the whole child, is regularly celebrated. In the past four years, in both the TES and Independent School of the Year Awards, we have been a finalist in the categories of Boarding School of The Year, Co-Ed School of the Year, SLT of the Year, Creativity in Teaching, Student Wellbeing, Community Initiative, and Sporting Achievement.

It is an exciting time to be joining the College, with Mark Lascelles taking up the Headship from September 2024.

We hope that you will want to come and join the fantastic teachers and support staff who work here. 

Departmental Principles and Aims

• To ensure high-quality teaching and learning that motivates and enthuses students, generates academic confidence, and develops independent thought;
• To provide a wide range of co-curricular opportunities for students including, but not limited to, the CISI qualification, Investment Club and the Young Enterprise Scheme.
• To cater for the academic needs and interests of individual students by developing their competence in a wide range of core academic skills such as logical thought, effective communication and quantitative techniques;
• To produce consistently strong public examination results in, above-average expectations derived from prior academic attainment.

Characteristics of the Department

• A proud record of outstanding value added and the ability to teach successfully across the full ability range.
• The teaching team is committed to exploring new ways of delivering the subject material, working efficiently and sharing resources.
• High-quality accommodation, including modern spacious classrooms.
• The teaching team contains a considerable breadth of experience from both within and outside of the profession.

The successful applicant for this post will be expected to:

• Teach a standard timetable allocation (currently 21 lessons of 50 minutes over a six-day timetable) or the part-time equivalent;
• Contribute to the successful teaching of the subject in years 12 to 13, adapting and reassessing lesson plans to meet specific student needs, liaising with the Academic Support Department as necessary;
• Be responsible for the processes of assessment, recording and reporting for the pupils in their charge;
• Assess pupils’ work frequently in line with Departmental and school policy and use the results to inform future planning, teaching and curricular development;
• Be familiar with school assessment and reporting procedures and prepare and present informative, helpful and accurate reports to parents both in writing and at parent consultation evenings;
• Enhance the quality of teaching and learning in the Department and wider College through sharing resources and good practice, lesson observation, collaborative teaching, mentoring and active participation in continuing professional development;
• Consolidate and extend learning, encouraging pupils to take responsibility for their own learning;
• Set high expectations for all pupils to deepen their knowledge and understanding and to maximise their achievement;
• Use positive management of behaviour in an environment of mutual respect that allows pupils to feel safe and secure and promotes their self-esteem;
• Make a positive contribution to the efficient running of the Department, including setting and marking examinations, writing Schemes of Work, attending departmental meetings, and undertaking administrative and other tasks as delegated by the Head of Department;
• Play an active role in the co-curricular life of the Department, including contributing to support sessions, extension programmes, competitions, trips, open days, prep school events, and so on;
• If full-time, contribute to the school-wide co-curricular programme, as requested by the Assistant Head: Total Curriculum. This may include coaching sport at the appropriate level or delivering activity programmes over the six-day working week;
• Work as a tutor in either the Lower School, or in a day or boarding house as requested by the Second Master;
• Adhere to, and promote, all College policies and procedures;
• Undertake any other reasonable task as directed by the Head, Deputy Head Academic or Head of Department

This job description is indicative of the expected duties and responsibilities of a teacher at Epsom College.  Given the dynamic and evolving nature of teaching and learning this job description is fluid and would expect to alter as the College’s teaching and learning strategy and academic developments evolve.

Epsom College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.

Essential

• Possess an excellent degree in Economics or a related subject;
• Demonstrate the ability to teach A-level Economics;
• Demonstrate an innovative and imaginative approach to teaching and learning, showing the capability to deliver inspirational and informative lessons to a variety of age ranges and abilities;
• Display a willingness to be involved in all aspects of departmental development, be a dedicated team-player who strives for excellence and leads by example;
• Be able to demonstrate a positive and authoritative rapport with all pupils, showing excellent and effective classroom management skills;
• Show excellent communication skills to enable effective dialogue with pupils, parents, staff and visitors;
• Be organised and self-motivated, with a proven record for meeting targets and deadlines;
• Demonstrate a sharp and progressive vision of the subject and of teaching and learning in a successful and dynamic school;
• Display an ability to perform well and remain professional whilst under pressure, be tactful and discreet, whilst mindful of observing safeguarding and professional standards;
• Be committed to boarding school life and willing to engage in a range of co-curricular activities;
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to personal continuous professional development;
• Display a smart and professional appearance, representing the College in a positive manner.

Desirable

• Provide evidence of an impressive track record of A-level results.

• A demonstrable interest in aspects of Economics both on and off the syllabus and in recent and forthcoming curriculum developments in the subject area.
• Ability to teach Business A-level and/or BTEC Business alongside Economics.

In order to arrive at a decision, the selection panel may enhance any or all of the desirable criteria and we reserve the right to appoint at any time during the recruitment process.

The College has its own salary scale, and offers a generous fee remission for the sons and daughters of staff along with numerous other benefits including private health care and accommodation may be available.

The offer of the role would be made subject to receipt of references, proof of relevant qualifications, Teaching Regulation Agency and other relevant checks for teaching positions in the UK, obtaining a letter of professional standing from the professional regulating authority for teachers who have worked outside the UK where appropriate, a check of online search engines and websites of publicly available information that does not identify the candidate as potentially unsuitable to work within a school setting, sighting of birth certificate, Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check, an overseas check, if appropriate, and pre-placement medical assessment that are all satisfactory to Epsom College. 

Proof of entitlement to work within the United Kingdom will be required. Prior to interview, an online search of internet search engines, websites and other publicly available and publicly accessible platforms to ascertain applicant’s suitability to work within a school environment will be undertaken on applicants that have been shortlisted.

All employees are required to ensure that all duties and responsibilities are discharged in accordance with the College’s Health and Safety Policy.  They should take reasonable care for their own Health and Safety and that of others who may be affected by what they do or do not do.  Staff should correctly use work items provided by the College, including personal protective equipment in accordance with training and instruction.

Anyone wishing to discuss these details further may contact Mrs Becky Brown, Deputy Head Academic rebecca.brown@epsomcollege.org.uk or  Mr Gordon Watson, Head of Economics & Business gordon.watson@epsomcollege.org.uk 

Candidates are asked to complete Application Form available via the link at the top of this page or ‘quick apply TES’ along with a letter of application and submit these as soon as possible. 

Applications will be assessed in order of receipt and interviews and subsequent offer may occur at any stage after applications are received. We therefore invite interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

Please contact Vikki Stroud, Recruitment and HR Manager, with any queries regarding the application process vikki.stroud@epsomcollege.org.uk

Closing date: 9am, 15 April