THE ECCLESBOURNE SCHOOL

Position: Head of Psychology
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Pay Scale: Main or Upper Pay Scale, TLR 2c £3526 per annum
Start Date: 1 September 2026

Are you ready to lead a popular and successful department to the next level?

We are seeking to appoint an ambitious, collaborative, and visionary Head of Psychology to join The Ecclesbourne School. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced teacher to shape the strategic direction of Psychology across Key Stage 5.

You will take ownership of curriculum design, assessment, and outcomes, ensuring that our students not only excel academically but also develop a deep, analytical understanding of the human mind. We are looking for a leader who can inspire both students and staff, driving innovation in teaching and learning.

As Head of Department, you will:

• Lead, manage, and continuously develop the psychology curriculum at Key Stage 5, ensuring it is ambitious, inclusive, and meets the needs of all learners.
• Analyse performance data to implement effective intervention strategies and secure outstanding results.
• Line manage and mentor department colleagues, including ECTs, fostering a culture of collaboration and professional growth.
• Manage the department budget and resources effectively.
• Stay abreast of developments in psychological research and examination specifications.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A proven track record of excellent A-level psychology results.
• Experience leading a team or managing a curriculum area (or demonstrable readiness for a step up to leadership).
• A clear vision for how to make psychology engaging and rigorous.
• High expectations of behaviour, achievement, and effort.
• The ability to build strong relationships with students, parents, and staff.

In return, we can offer you:

• Eager and motivated students who are ready to learn.
• Supportive and collaborative colleagues with a shared vision for success.
• Excellent facilities and resources to support outstanding teaching and learning.
• A positive and forward-thinking school community with a strong reputation.
• Professional Development opportunities for training and career development.
• Teachers’ Pension Scheme with immediate membership.
• Wellbeing. We value our staff and recognise the on-going contributions they make to the continued success of the whole school.
• School admissions. Children of members of staff, with a minimum of two years’ service at the school at the time of application, are including in our admissions criteria.

Please click here for The Ecclesbourne School Candidate Brief

The successful candidate will be joining a supportive faculty which consists of subject specialists who are enthusiastic, dynamic and inspirational teachers. You will be able to use your talents to help make a difference to the lives and aspirations of our students.
Salary negotiable for an outstanding candidate.

This is a real opportunity to contribute to the continuing success of the school.

How to Apply:

If you have the passion, skills, and drive to make a real difference in our school, we would love to hear from you.

For further information, help with the application process, or to visit the school please contact:

Tina Spencer-Keyse, Director of Human Resources
Email: TSpencer-Keyse@ecclesbourne.derbyshire.sch.uk
Tel: 01332 843257

Application Forms

Please note that we do not accept applications by CV.

Closing date for applications: 8am on Monday 16 March 2026
Early applications are encouraged, as we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date.

Our commitment to safeguarding: Our school is committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our students, and we expect all our staff to share this commitment. We adopt a fair, robust, and consistent recruitment process which is in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment will be conditional on a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, references, health check and, where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

The amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020) provides that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain convictions are considered “protected”. This means that they do not need to be disclosed to employers and, if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice Website and on the websites of charities NACRO and UNLOCK.

Our commitment to equality and diversity: As a school we are passionate about diversity and recognize that as individuals we all bring something unique to the role regardless of any protected characteristics, which is why we treat all our people equally, without compromise. We are committed to providing equality and fairness throughout our recruitment and employment practices and not discriminating on any grounds.