Vacancies

Welcome from the Headteacher

Dear Colleague,

Thank you very much for showing an interest in starting or furthering your career at Nower Hill High School. We would love to meet you and explore the prospect of you joining us. We very much hope that what you read in our Information for Applicant’s booklet inspires you to want to apply for the position, and that the features of our school listed below serve to whet your appetite.  We offer:

• A school recognised by Ofsted in its recent inspection (November 2023) as outstanding in every category, so in short, a fantastic place to take your next career step.
• A dynamic place to work
• A diverse, ambitious and inspirational student body
• A highly skilled, professional and inspirational staff
• An aspirational community of local families
• A comfortable and well-resourced working environment
• Excellent in-school career advancement opportunities
• Comprehensive Professional Development and training opportunities
• Free fitness suite membership
• Staff well-being service (Education Support Partnership’s Employee Assistance Programme)
• Free annual flu vaccinations
• Excellent student support systems
• A programme of staff social events
• A very supportive Senior Leadership Team
• A dedicated member of the Senior Leadership Team for staff well-being
• Competitive Outer London pay scales
• Excellent holidays
• Generous pension scheme
• The option of a school place for children of staff
• A very supportive Governing Board
• A thriving extra-curricular activities and trips programme
• On site catering facilities and outlets
• Excellent public transport links
• Local shops within walking distance
• Over 1600 applications for a school place in Year 7.

Nower Hill is a happy, hardworking school.  We are here to ensure that every student achieves and experiences as much as possible during their journey with us.  We want our students to enjoy their education so that they value learning and can look back in later years with warmth and fondness on their time at Nower Hill.  We strive to ensure our students are as well prepared as possible for the next stage in their life; articulate, ambitious young people with the strength of character and the confidence to compete in a highly competitive world.

We demand and achieve high standards in all areas of school life within a disciplined, secure, caring and stimulating environment.  We value and praise the successes of our students and staff.  The school is held in high esteem by the local community and as a consequence, is heavily oversubscribed.  Alongside academic excellence, we place a strong emphasis on impeccable manners, articulacy, excellent behaviour, smartness of appearance, hard work and kindness.

Our 250 teaching and support staff are a pleasure to work with. They are highly skilled, professional and inspirational. Candidates visiting the school invariably comment on how welcoming and friendly they find the school during their day with us and new members of staff are well supported by their colleagues, making transition to their new environment that much easier. Team spirit is high, whether that be faculty teams, Year teams, Education Support Staff teams, the Senior Leadership Team or the whole staff team.

Here is what some of our recently appointed staff have to say about working at Nower Hill:

Halima, Science Early Careers Teacher

“I was welcomed at NHHS as a trainee teacher and was amazed at the level of support I received on my journey to becoming a qualified teacher. When it came to finding a job as an ECT, NHHS was my obvious first choice. The staff are very supportive and always willing to help and the regular CPD opportunities that the school provides have ensured my ongoing development as a teacher. Good practice and teaching ideas are always shared and collaboration between faculties is encouraged and this all helps with developing further as a teacher. The school also provides many opportunities to get involved with extracurricular activities and all aspects of school life. The students are very hard-working, enthusiastic and keen to learn which creates a very positive learning environment and makes them a pleasure to teach.”

Cathie, Assistant Headteacher

“The decision to apply to Nower Hill High School two years ago was not a difficult one.  I was immediately impressed with the structure and organisation of the school before I came for interview and then when I was shown around the school by the most delightful year 11s, I knew I wanted the job. The students were incredibly proud of their diverse community and were very respectful of each other and staff.   Since then I have enjoyed the challenge of leading a large department where collaboration is at the heart of everything we do and have recently been promoted to Assistant Headteacher on the Senior Leadership Team. I have no hesitation in stating that the range, quality and quantity of CPD offered is unrivalled and the focus on leadership training at all levels is impressive.  Nower Hill is an outstanding place to develop as a professional.”

Zoe, Head of Science

“I was encouraged to apply for the role at Nower Hill High School by the enthusiasm with which a former colleague discussed the school and its ethos. Even before I took up my role I was given a great and very friendly welcome and the right amount of information to ensure that I could start in September without feeling overwhelmed. It was immediately obvious that the students are at the heart of every decision that is made within the school. Students have a thirst and enthusiasm for learning which is deliberately nurtured by teaching and support staff alike. The pride that students have for their school and achievements shines through in their words and actions.

The department is hard working, enthusiastic and innovative. They have made me feel very welcome and have offered support as I became familiar with the school. This support, along with a comprehensive CPD programme, ensured that I felt that I settled into my new role very quickly. It was not an easy decision to move on from a school where I was very happy but the move and additional responsibility, along with the support I have been given, has allowed me to develop as a teacher and leader.”

Reema, Teaching Assistant

“I was encouraged to apply for the role at NHHS by a colleague soon after completing my MSc due to its ethos and outstanding rating by OFSTED. Coming from a background with experience of only working with primary school children, the decision of moving onto a secondary school was a very difficult one to make. However, it’s one that I haven’t looked back on as working at NHHS has been a very positive experience.  The Inclusion faculty strives towards equal classroom opportunities and adopts a “no excuses” approach. The Inclusion team has very welcoming, friendly and professional staff that all support each other to ensure that together we provide the students with the best support possible. My experience at NHHS has given me great confidence and developed my understanding of working with SEN students of different needs and backgrounds.  As an aspiring Educational Psychologist, the CPD and training delivered at Nower Hill is really helping me achieve my goal.”

Aisling, Art Early Careers Teacher

“Joining Nower Hill School as an ECT I was made very welcome by my department. The teachers are very enthusiastic and always work as a team, offering me support and guidance. What I noticed most about Nower Hill pupils was how proud they were of the school. I saw how much they genuinely enjoyed their lessons; they are wonderful pupils to teach.”

David, English Teacher

“Having come from a relatively small school I was concerned about working in a much larger school. However, I quickly realised the benefits of working in a large school. In a department of 17 English teachers there is a wealth of knowledge and experience to access. Working collaboratively and sharing resources with such a big group meant my own work load, in terms of planning and preparing lessons, was significantly reduced. I have also found that the students have an overwhelmingly positive attitude to their learning. Sanctions are rare and have immediate impact. Despite its size; there is a distinct feeling of community at Nower Hill and I feel welcome and supported. “

Amna, Science teacher and STEM Co-ordinator

“Since starting in September, I have been made to feel incredibly welcome at Nower Hill High School. The induction programme, which was well structured and supportive, facilitated my transition into the school greatly. I was overwhelmed with how helpful and supportive the staff are; with my questions being answered before I was able to voice them. The department always made me feel comfortable to ask questions, offered their own time to guide me through the school systems, and ensured I was aware that a support system was in place. This was the first job change I had made since my PGCE training, and I had heard such transitions can be stressful. I am incredibly lucky to have experienced the move to Nower Hill, as staff ensured that this was an exciting period rather than a stressful one! Nower Hill is a lovely place to work, where staff work hard to build an environment conducive to learning. Students at Nower Hill are appreciative of these efforts, as is obvious by their positive attitude to learning. It is honestly my complete honour to be a part of the Nower Hill community.”

Sajid, teacher of Philosophy, Religion and Ethics

“Joining the Nower Hill community has been a very positive experience for my career in teaching. The school has an excellent induction programme for new teachers and you will find a very supportive environment with welcoming friendly staff, willing to care for your development. CPD at Nower Hill is personalised to allow teachers to develop their own teaching interests which will benefit both you and your department and faculty. Our students are joyful to teach. I have found that they are polite, well-mannered and in lessons enthusiastic, focussed and motivated towards success. “

Chris, Assistant Headteacher

“Immediately upon joining the school I noticed how much the staff here enjoy their jobs and want to challenge themselves to be the best. The desire to deliver a world-class education is the single most important motivating factor amongst the staff and their professionalism and dedication make the school outstanding. The importance placed on staff wellbeing at meetings of the Senior Leadership Team has really impressed me: just one example is that there is no period 6 on the day of a Parents’ Evening and a late start the next morning. The school is quick to embrace new ideas and new technologies (for example, all members of staff are issued with a tablet computer and students are issued with Learnpads) and paid honoraria give staff the chance to research and experiment with the latest pedagogy. Clear systems and support structures inspire confidence and make it easy to concentrate on the business of teaching and learning whilst the friendly, caring atmosphere makes it a very rewarding and enjoyable place to work. “

I hope that you will like what you read about Nower Hill and if you, like us, have a deep commitment to inclusive, comprehensive education and endless ambition for the children, then I do hope we will be hearing from you! 

Best wishes

Jo Skelhorne

Headteacher