Teacher of Religious Education, Philosophy & Ethics

Location: Waltham Forest, Outer London

School Type: Independent Day School (Co-educational, Ages 11–18)

Contract: Full-Time, Permanent

Start Date: January or April Start

A prestigious independent day school in the London Borough of Waltham Forest is seeking an articulate, intellectually curious, and dynamic Teacher of Religious Education to join their distinguished Philosophy, Religion & Ethics (PRE) faculty. Set within a vibrant North East London campus with rich cultural heritage, this post offers an exceptional opportunity for a specialist—whether an experienced practitioner eager to teach A-Level Philosophy and Ethics or an ambitious Early Career Teacher (ECT)—to inspire philosophical inquiry, theological literacy, and global ethical awareness across an engaged student body.

About the Role

As a Teacher of Religious Education, you will transform global faith traditions, moral philosophy, applied ethics, and contemporary theological debates into compelling, high-rigor learning experiences. Joining a collaborative and scholarly department, you will deliver rich lessons across Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 (GCSE Religious Studies / Philosophy), and Key Stage 5 (A-Level Religious Studies / OCR Philosophy & Ethics / IB Theory of Knowledge), equipping students with the critical reasoning, empathetic understanding, and analytical rigor valued by top universities.

• Environment: A highly resourced independent school campus featuring small class sizes, state-of-the-art seminar rooms, comprehensive library archives, and digital learning platforms

• Culture: A welcoming, scholarly, and open-minded community that champions academic depth, respectful dialogue, character education, and holistic pupil development

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver academically rigorous, engaging Philosophy, Religion & Ethics (PRE) lessons across Key Stages 3, 4, and 5 covering world religions, ethical frameworks, philosophy of religion, and moral sociology.

• Prepare GCSE and A-Level candidates thoroughly for national written examinations through explicit modeling of evaluative essay writing, textual analysis, and data-driven progress tracking.

• Foster an inclusive, debate-driven classroom culture where diverse worldviews, philosophical arguments, and ethical dilemmas are explored with mutual respect and intellectual rigator.

• Track, evaluate, and monitor pupil progress systematically, tailoring extension activities to stretch high-aspiring humanities scholars targeting Oxbridge and Russell Group destinations.

• Contribute actively to the broader life of the independent school, including philosophical debating societies, interfaith symposiums, ethics clubs, and co-curricular trips.

Requirements

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or an equivalent recognized teaching credential (independent school experience or PGCE preferred).

• A strong academic degree in Religious Studies, Theology, Philosophy, Ethics, or a closely related humanities discipline.

• Proven track record or demonstrated capability of delivering outstanding RE/Philosophy instruction across Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 (KS5/A-Level teaching capability is highly desirable).

• In-depth knowledge of national examination board specifications (e.g., OCR, AQA, Edexcel) for Religious Studies and Philosophy.

• Exceptional classroom presence, strong analytical and communication skills, and an infectious enthusiasm for philosophical inquiry and ethical debate.

Salary & Benefits

• Pay Scale: Independent School Salary Scale (above national pay spine, commensurate with qualifications and experience).

• Independent Schools Pension Scheme / TPS option, generous fee remission for staff children, small class sizes, complimentary lunch, structured continuous professional development (CPD), and access to extensive campus sports and wellbeing facilities.

How to Apply

If you are an ambitious RE and Philosophy specialist ready to inspire the next generation of critical thinkers and ethical leaders at a thriving independent school in Waltham Forest, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and completed application form for consideration.