Teacher of Psychology

LAE seeks a graduate teacher of Psychology to teach A-Level Psychology. We seek a teacher committed to high academic standards but also one who can communicate to young people an enthusiasm for the subject. A teaching qualification is not required for this post, but a passion for Psychology and for teaching young people is a necessity.

The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching Psychology at AS and A2. Psychology is being taught for the first time at LAE this year and has proven very popular with 88 sixthformers studying it at AS Level. The Department has a partnership with the Psychology Department at Brighton College, who give expert support with exam style assessment and subject enrichment.

It is expected that there will be Psychology candidates for the top universities in the coming years, and the new teacher of Psychology will develop a challenging extension programme to guide these candidates, in partnership with the Lead Teacher of Psychology.

The School

The London Academy of Excellence is an ambitious, academically selective sixth form in the heart of Stratford, close to the Olympic Park and 5 minutes from Stratford Station, with its excellent links to all parts of London. LAE's goal is to increase dramatically the number of successful applications made to top universities by young people from the Borough of Newham and other surrounding London boroughs.

LAE was the first sixth form state school to open as part of the free school programme and represents the realisation of a vision to increase the quality of education and career opportunities available to communities in London's Borough of Newham. The borough has the most ethnically diverse population in the UK, as well as some of the highest levels of deprivation. In August 2014, 72% of our sixthformers' A2 grades were A*-B and 40% of our A2 sixthformers achieved AAB or higher, putting LAE far above the national average. 5 of our sixthformers secured Oxford or Cambridge places and 77 are now studying at Russell Group universities. LAE is an established centre of academic excellence in East London.

LAE has strong links with six independent schools: Brighton College, Caterham School, Eton College, Forest School, Highgate School and City of London School.

A-levels recommended by the Russell Group universities (the "facilitating subjects") are taught including: English Literature, Maths, Further Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, Geography and Modern Foreign Languages (Spanish, French and Mandarin); as well as Psychology, Religious Studies, Economics and the Extended Project Qualification. The whole individual is developed through extra- and co-curricular activities such as sport and community service.

There are 420 sixthformers in Years 12 and 13. The school is heavily oversubscribed at every stage of the admissions process: this year there were a third more applications for 2014 entry than for 2013. LAE is selective, requiring at least five A or higher GCSE grades (including at least B grades in English Language and Maths), and A or higher grades in the subjects being continued from GCSE into AS.

The teachers have excellent subject knowledge and are dedicated and hard working. They work alongside dedicated and skilful business, administrative and technical staff. The sixthformers are inquisitive, enthusiastic and ambitious. LAE is a vibrant, exciting and extremely rewarding place to work.

Child Protection

All members of staff must comply with LAE's Safeguarding & Welfare Policy. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety and welfare of our sixthformers, these concerns must be reported immediately in accordance with the policy.

The London Academy of Excellence is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Closing date: Thursday 13th November 2014
Interview Selection Day: Thursday 20th November 2014

Application process

Applications should be submitted to applications@excellencelondon.ac.uk.

Please submit a covering letter of no more than one side of A4 together with a CV and the LAE Application Form, available on the LAE website. Only applications including the LAE Application Form will be considered. Applications will be considered as they arrive.

If you have questions about the role or the application process, please contact Tom Sawbridge, Assistant Head (Teaching Staff), tom.sawbridge@excellencelondon.ac.uk.