Head of SMSC (including Statutory RE & PSHE)

Job details

Job role Teacher Head of department or curriculum

Suitable for early career teachers jobs

Visa sponsorship Visas cannot be sponsored

Key stage Key stage 3, Key stage 4

Subjects Citizenship, Health and social care, PSHE, Religious education

Working pattern Full time

Contract type Permanent

Pay scale MPS

Additional allowances

TLR2 (£5,875.51)

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are looking for an ambitious and inspiring leader to take on the role of Head of SMSC and drive our whole‑school vision for Personal Development. This is an exciting opportunity to shape a high‑impact curriculum that empowers students to thrive in modern Britain.

As Head of SMSC, you will lead the strategic development of Religion & World Views (RE), PSHE and Citizenship, ensuring a cohesive, values‑driven curriculum across all key stages. You will play a central role in shaping students’ character, wellbeing and aspirations, while ensuring statutory requirements for RE and PSHE are fully met.

You will teach within the Humanities faculty and provide leadership across the Personal Development team, including line management of staff delivering RE, PSHE, Citizenship and Health & Social Care. This is a high‑profile role with significant whole‑school influence, ideal for someone who is passionate about developing young people and raising the profile of SMSC.

If you are a motivated, forward‑thinking practitioner with the vision to lead an ambitious Personal Development offer, we would be delighted to hear from you.

What the school offers its staff

-A collaborative, supportive team with a passion for teaching and facilitating progress

-Opportunities to discuss flexible working

-CPD: A culture based on the best evidence-informed teacher development, to help you be be the best you can be

-Staff wellbeing: Champions and mental health first aiders are on site. We have regular staff events and an active staff voice.

-Free parking

-Use of school gym equipment out of school hours

Flexible working opportunities

We foster a culture whereby we are open to discuss and consider flexible working with all our team

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Job Purpose

To be an ambitious and inspiring leader to drive our whole‑school SMSC vision. As Head of SMSC, you will lead the strategic development of Religion and World Views (RE), PSHE and Citizenship, ensuring a cohesive and impactful Personal Development curriculum across all key stages.

The post holder will ensure that RE and PSHE meet statutory requirements, reflect national and local guidance, and contribute meaningfully to the wider personal development of all students.

You will teach within the Humanities faculty and play a central role in shaping students’ character, values and aspirations. The role will also include line management of staff delivering Religion and World Views (RE), PSHE, Citizenship and Health & Social Care. This is an exciting opportunity to influence whole‑school culture and deliver a personal development offer that prepares students to thrive in modern Britain

Core Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership of SMSC, RE, PSHE and Citizenship

Lead the whole‑school vision, direction and development of SMSC, ensuring that Religion & World Views (RE), PSHE and Citizenship are delivered to a high standard and in line with statutory guidance.

Drive a cohesive and impactful Personal Development curriculum across all key stages, ensuring it reflects the school’s values and prepares students to thrive in modern Britain.

Take responsibility for “the development of students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development across the curriculum”.

Ensure all policies and procedures relating to RE, PSHE, RSE and Citizenship are understood, implemented and regularly reviewed.

Keep up to date with national and local developments in RE, PSHE, RSE, Citizenship, British Values and SMSC, advising SLT on implications for curriculum and practice.

Raise the profile of RE, PSHE, Citizenship and SMSC across the school, ensuring consistent visibility and impact.

2. Curriculum Design & Quality Assurance

Lead the design, review and implementation of schemes of learning for RE, PSHE and Citizenship, ensuring they reflect statutory and non‑statutory guidance.

Oversee long‑term curriculum planning for Personal Development, ensuring coherence, progression and high expectations across all key stages.

Ensure curriculum content reflects and responds to guidance from the DfE, Ofsted and SACRE as it is published.

Monitor teaching and learning within RE, PSHE and Citizenship, ensuring consistently high‑quality provision and supporting staff to improve practice.

Lead behaviour management strategy within the SMSC and Personal Development areas, aligned with whole‑school policy.

3. Teaching & Learning

Deliver consistently good or better lessons within RE and/or PSHE as part of the Humanities faculty.

Model excellent practice and support colleagues in improving pedagogy, adaptive teaching and assessment within Personal Development subjects.

Ensure that RE, PSHE and Citizenship teaching promotes inclusion, equality and respect, enabling students to become “effective citizens in modern Britain”.

4. Assessment, Data & Reporting

Oversee assessment systems for RE, PSHE and Citizenship, ensuring accuracy, consistency and meaningful feedback.

Analyse student progress data, including for vulnerable groups (FSM, PP, SEND, CLA, EAL), and implement strategies to address underachievement.

Ensure statutory reporting requirements for RE and PSHE are met and contribute to reporting on Personal Development outcomes.

5. Staff Leadership & Professional Development

Lead and develop the Personal Development team, including staff delivering RE, PSHE, Citizenship and Health & Social Care.

Provide coaching, mentoring and professional development opportunities to strengthen teaching and leadership capacity.

Lead team meetings and contribute to whole‑school INSET, promoting high‑quality SMSC and Personal Development practice.

Undertake performance management responsibilities in line with school policy, ensuring high expectations and accountability.

6. Wider School Contribution

Strengthen links with external agencies, community groups and visiting speakers to enhance RE, PSHE, Citizenship and SMSC provision.

Work closely with pastoral teams to ensure alignment between SMSC, assemblies, tutor time, Careers and the wider Personal Development offer.

Contribute to the school’s self‑evaluation processes, improvement planning and preparation for Ofsted, particularly within Personal Development and SMSC.

General Teaching Duties

In addition to leadership responsibilities, the post holder will fulfil the professional duties of a qualified teacher, including:

Managing student learning through effective teaching.

Setting high expectations and ensuring progress for all learners.

Using assessment to inform planning and improve outcomes.

Maintaining up‑to‑date subject knowledge.

Upholding professional standards and safeguarding responsibilities.

Person Specification:

CATEGORY

ESSENTIAL

DESIRABLE

Qualifications & Training

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)Degree in a relevant subject (e.g., RE, Humanities, Social Sciences, PSHE‑related field)Evidence of ongoing professional developmentFurther qualifications in leadership, RE, PSHE, Citizenship or related fieldsNPQML/NPQSL or equivalent leadership training

Experience

Successful teaching experience in RE and/or PSHE • Experience contributing to curriculum developmentExperience leading initiatives that improve teaching, learning or student outcomes • Experience working with statutory guidance for RE, PSHE and RSEExperience of middle leadership or subject leadershipExperience line managing staff or leading teamsExperience delivering or overseeing Health & Social Care, Citizenship or Careers provisionExperience working with external agencies, SACRE, community partners or multi‑agency teams

Knowledge & Understanding

Strong understanding of statutory requirements for RE, PSHE and RSEClear understanding of SMSC and its role within the Ofsted frameworkKnowledge of effective curriculum design and sequencingUnderstanding of safeguarding and child protection responsibilitiesUnderstanding of how Personal Development prepares students for life in modern BritainKnowledge of Careers education, Gatsby Benchmarks or wider Personal Development frameworksUnderstanding of assessment models in RE, PSHE and CitizenshipAwareness of local and national developments in RE, PSHE, Citizenship and SMSC

Leadership & Management Skills

Ability to lead, motivate and inspire staff and studentsAbility to articulate and drive a whole‑school vision for SMSC and Personal DevelopmentStrong organisational and strategic planning skillsAbility to monitor, evaluate and improve curriculum provisionAbility to hold staff to account through effective line managementExperience leading cross‑curricular or whole‑school initiativesExperience managing performance or supporting staff development

Teaching & Learning Skills

Ability to deliver consistently good or better lessonsStrong pedagogical understanding, including adaptive teaching and assessment for learningAbility to model excellent practice and support colleagues to improveCommitment to inclusive practice and promoting equality and respectExperience mentoring ECTs or supporting trainee teachersExperience developing teaching resources or leading CPD

Personal Qualities

Ambitious, enthusiastic and committed to student personal developmentExcellent communication and interpersonal skillsAbility to build positive relationships with students, staff, families and external partnersReflective, resilient and solution‑focusedHigh professional standards and integrityAbility to contribute to wider school life, enrichment and community engagement

Safeguarding & Ethos

Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of childrenCommitment to promoting British Values, equality and diversityAlignment with the school’s ethos, values and vision for Personal DevelopmentExperience contributing to safeguarding processes or pastoral systems

Commitment to safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our young people and we expect staff to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS check and on-line check is required for this post.

Applying for the job

This job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

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About [Employer hidden — view at passion-project.co.uk]

School type Academy, ages 11 to 16

Education phase Secondary school

School size 1239 pupils enrolled

Age range 11 to 16

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11-16 Secondary School

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Academy, ages 11 to 16

St Clement, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 1TN