Head of Science

Head of Science

Contract: Full time, permanent

Salary: MPS/UPS + TLR 1 + Outer London

Start date: September 2024

Application closing date: 9am Friday 17 May 2024

Interviews will be held immediately after candidates are shortlisted. However, we may contact applicants regarding interviews prior to this date.

We are looking to appoint a high-calibre leader for our outstanding Science department.

As a dynamic Head of Science, you will enthuse students through the provision of high-quality teaching and learning, encouraging all students to develop their potential to the full. The successful candidate will be a leader who is passionate about all aspects of Science with a drive to make a difference and maintain our high standards in the department.

The ideal candidate will:

• Be an outstanding practitioner and inspirational leader;

• Have a proven track record of success in raising student attainment in Science;

• Have the ability to foster a love of Science in all our students to engage them in rich and diverse

academic curriculum

• Be a committed team-player;

• Fully understand the Science curriculum and have the vision required to raise standards further.

Students at St Andrew appreciate being taught well and enjoy their learning. They expect high standards and like to be challenged and stretched in the classroom. They participate and enjoy taking responsibility across the school. All students are entered for GCSE Science on either a triple or double pathway. Science at Post-16 is one of the key reasons students stay in our sixth form. Science runs Biology, Chemistry and Physics A-level courses. Students benefit from small class sizes and committed, expert teachers.

You will inherit a fantastic team of Scientists, who, as a group, have the Science skill set needed to drive this department to even greater success. You will also benefit from a dedicated Trust Science Adviser who is an invaluable source of support and collaboration for our Head of Department.

Our GCSE results last year were strong with students in Triple Science with 27% and 24% of students gaining a 9 grade in Biology and Physics respectively, and 34% of students earning a 9-8 in Chemistry. On average students taking Double Science have progress well in excess of their target grades. Similarly, students at A Level produced results of which we were very proud; over time a large proportion of A Level Scientists achieve above their target grade, with many going on to study Science at university, including medicine at Oxford.

We are committed to appointing a candidate who will fit well with our staff body and one who will promote the whole school ethos. The candidate must be an excellent classroom practitioner and be able to demonstrate that s/he can play a leadership role across the school. We would welcome applications from candidates leading on one area of science who are looking for career development. If you are confident that you can rise to these challenges, we would encourage you to arrange a visit to the school or a conversation with our Headteacher or Deputy Headteachers Curriculum to find out more about the role and the school.

The successful candidate would be joining the school at an exciting time in our journey. Our state of the art new building is in progress (diggers are visible from our playground) and we are growing our young sixth form. We would like our new HOD Science to drive forward the STEM curriculum and enhance our extra-curricular provision.

The Russell Education Trust and St Andrew the Apostle School are committed to the professional development of our middle leaders. In addition to support from our RET Science Adviser, the successful candidate would be part of a network of Heads of Science from across the RET network. This network learns from each other and benefits from each-others’ expertise to drive improvement in their departments.

Applications are welcome from teachers of all faiths and none; this is reflected in our current staff composition. If you would like to apply please send a completed application form and equalities form to vacancies@standrewtheapostle.org.uk