RE Teacher | Secondary School in Havering

Teacher of Religious Education, Philosophy & Ethics (January Start)

Location: Havering, East/Outer London

School Type: Secondary School & Sixth Form (Co-educational, Ages 11–18)

Contract: Full-Time, Permanent or Fixed-Term

Start Date: January 2027

A welcoming, high-performing secondary school and Sixth Form in the London Borough of Havering is seeking a thoughtful, articulate, and inspiring Teacher of Religious Education (RE) to join their thriving Humanities & Philosophy faculty this January. Situated in an Outer London borough celebrated for its strong community ties, excellent transport links into central London, and ambitious academic standards, this January appointment offers a rewarding opportunity for a Religious Studies, Philosophy, or Theology specialist—whether an experienced practitioner seeking a fresh challenge or a confident Early Career Teacher (ECT)—to cultivate ethical reasoning, religious literacy, and respectful philosophical inquiry across all key stages.

About the Role

Joining a collaborative, subject-specialist department from January, you will guide students through the exploration of major world religions, non-religious worldviews, applied ethics, and classical philosophy. You will deliver academically rigorous, engaging lessons across Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 (GCSE Religious Studies), and Key Stage 5 (A-Level Religious Studies / Philosophy & Ethics). Your teaching will challenge young learners to analyze sacred texts, evaluate competing moral frameworks, and construct well-reasoned philosophical arguments—equipping students with the empathy, critical literacy, and rhetorical precision required for university degrees in Philosophy, Law, Politics, Theology, and the Humanities.

• Environment: A modern Outer London campus featuring dedicated Humanities & Seminar teaching suites, interactive display technology, rich philosophical and theological research resources, and shared departmental planning spaces

• Culture: An intellectually curious, inclusive, and respectful learning community committed to interfaith understanding, critical dialogue, moral curiosity, and outstanding examination outcomes

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver stimulating, inclusive, and academically rigorous Religious Education lessons across Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 (GCSE), and Key Stage 5 (A-Level), covering world religious traditions, Philosophy of Religion, and Religion & Ethics.

• Prepare GCSE and A-Level candidates thoroughly for national examinations through explicit modeling of textual analysis, logical argumentation, evaluative essay structuring, and comparative worldview synthesis.

• Foster a safe, seminar-style classroom environment that encourages thoughtful questioning, civil debate, and mutual respect across diverse cultural and belief backgrounds.

• Track and evaluate student progress systematically, providing constructive, actionable feedback, implementing scaffolded literacy support for developing writers, and designing intellectual stretch for aspiring Oxbridge and Russell Group applicants.

• Contribute actively to departmental enrichment, including Philosophy & Ethics societies, interfaith dialogue workshops, debating competitions, and visits to places of worship and cultural institutions across London.

Requirements

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or a recognized equivalent secondary teaching credential.

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

• Proven track record or demonstrated capability of delivering high-quality Religious Education instruction across Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 (A-Level Religious Studies or Philosophy teaching experience is highly desirable).

• Comprehensive working knowledge of major UK national examination board specifications (e.g., AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas) and the statutory locally agreed syllabus requirements.

• Exceptional classroom presence, strong essay-coaching skills, and an infectious enthusiasm for philosophical inquiry, ethics, and global worldviews.

Salary & Benefits

• Pay Scale: Outer London Main / Upper Pay Scale (MPS/UPS Outer London, commensurate with experience), with potential TLR opportunities available for suitable candidates (e.g., Key Stage 3 RE Lead or Philosophy & Ethics Coordinator).

• Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS), comprehensive continuous professional development (CPD), structured mentoring and middle leadership pathways, collaborative planning time, and staff health and wellbeing initiatives.

How to Apply

If you are an inspiring Religious Education & Philosophy educator ready to join a supportive, ambitious school community in Havering this January, we encourage you to apply promptly. Please send your updated CV and completed application form for consideration.