A well-established and ambitious 11–18 secondary school in Stoke-on-Trent is seeking a thoughtful, academically grounded and reflective Early Career Teacher of Religious Education to join its successful Humanities faculty.

This school has developed a strong reputation for nurturing early career teachers. With a carefully structured induction programme, visible and supportive leadership, and a culture that prioritises professional growth over performative paperwork, it offers an outstanding environment for an ECT to begin their teaching career.

Religious Education is a valued and visible subject within the curriculum. GCSE outcomes have remained consistently strong, and students respond positively to lessons that encourage intellectual curiosity, ethical debate and structured argumentation.

The Opportunity for an ECT

This role is designed to support you properly.

You will teach RE across Key Stages 3 and 4, with carefully mapped schemes of learning that build disciplinary knowledge over time. The curriculum moves from foundational belief systems and key religious concepts at KS3 to philosophical and ethical debate at KS4.

You will benefit from:

• A fully protected reduced timetable in line with ECT entitlement

• Weekly one-to-one mentoring with an experienced Humanities specialist

• Structured instructional coaching focused on classroom practice

• Opportunities to observe expert teachers across subjects

• Subject-specific CPD that supports both knowledge and pedagogy

Planning is collaborative. You will not be expected to “reinvent the wheel.” Schemes of work, model essays, retrieval resources and assessment frameworks are shared and continuously refined.

Curriculum & Department

The RE curriculum is knowledge-rich and academically rigorous. Students explore major world religions, philosophy of religion, ethics, morality, human rights and contemporary social issues. Emphasis is placed on:

• Structured extended writing

• Developing reasoned arguments

• Critical engagement with differing viewpoints

• Explicit vocabulary instruction

• Secure exam technique from early stages

The department meets weekly to moderate work and refine curriculum sequencing. You will be part of a stable Humanities team where professional dialogue is encouraged and supported.

Enrichment opportunities include:

• Interfaith visits within the local community

• Philosophy and Ethics debate evenings

• GCSE intervention workshops

• Sixth Form lecture-style discussions

The School Environment

This Stoke-on-Trent secondary school has invested heavily in strengthening behaviour systems and building a calm, purposeful culture. Expectations are clear and consistently applied. Senior leaders are visible in corridors and supportive when issues arise.

Staff describe the culture as:

• Professional but not pressured

• Ambitious but realistic

• Structured without being rigid

The school building combines traditional classroom spaces with modern teaching areas and a well-used central library. There is a dedicated Sixth Form study area, and pastoral systems are well organised.

Importantly for an ECT, staff wellbeing is actively considered. Policies around marking and data collection are streamlined, and leadership is receptive to feedback.

What You’ll Bring

• QTS (or pending QTS completion) in RE, Theology, Philosophy or a related subject

• Strong subject knowledge and intellectual curiosity

• A willingness to reflect and refine practice

• High expectations for behaviour and presentation

• A commitment to inclusive and respectful dialogue

You do not need to be perfect. You need to be reflective, ambitious and ready to learn.

Why This Is an Excellent First Post

• Clear, structured ECT induction programme

• Collaborative Humanities faculty

• Strong behaviour systems that support new teachers

• Shared curriculum resources

• Genuine investment in your professional development

This is an exceptional opportunity for an RE ECT seeking a supportive, academically serious and well-led school in which to build confidence and expertise.

Please submit your CV to apply.