Lead Practitioner - Science

Due to rapid expansion of the academy, we are looking for a Lead Practitioner - Science for September 2024, and warmly welcome applications from experienced teachers who are passionate about science and are dedicated to enabling students to make excellent progress.

This is a fantastic role which will enable you to develop your leadership skills by working both within the science department and across the academy to raise standards in teaching and learning and hence the achievement of all students. You will become part of a well established, highly collaborative and successful team as we are confident that our teaching and support teams, our facilities and most importantly our students will inspire you.

Through the consistent modelling of high quality teaching and learning, and coaching of colleagues, you will have a direct impact in developing the science department to make it even better and grow our talented science team to secure the very best outcomes for students at our academy.

The ideal candidate will be an expert teacher of science who is familiar with evidence informed teaching practices and likely to have had departmental leadership experience.

Key responsibilities include;

• Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge students.
• Promote good progress and outcomes by students.
• Demonstrate good subject and curriculum knowledge.
• Plan and teach well-structured lessons.
• Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all students.
• Make accurate and productive use of assessment.
• Manage behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment.

For our successful candidate, being a member of staff at Leigh Academy Tonbridge and the wider Trust means you’ll receive access to a great range of employment benefits from day one. Click here to view the current benefits package, and be mindful that the list is always growing.

‘Behaviour and attitudes are exceptional’ Ofsted, 2022.

‘Staff are proud to work at the school. There is a strong culture of collaboration and sharing.’

The school’s small size means that all pupils are known, valued and nurtured.’ 

'Senior Leaders have a passionate and ambitious vision about providing high-quality education for all pupils at the school…senior leaders are relentless about raising standards and maintaining high expectations by keeping a high profile around the school.’ 

Joining us at Leigh Academy Tonbridge: Building on the strengths of our legacy school, Hayesbrook Academy, Leigh Academy Tonbridge will open our doors to the first cohort of year 7 students, including boys and girls, for September 2023.

Hayesbrook Academy first opened in 1964. Having always been an all-boys school, our history before then is closely linked to the old Sussex Road Boys School, where records go back to the early 1900’s, and so we have a strong tradition of education provision in Tonbridge. The modern day academy has always been an 11-18 comprehensive school with a mixed sixth form, serving the local community.

Since being the first school in West Kent to gain Academy Status in 2010, the academy led the way in achieving excellent standards and in creating a multi-academy Trust. We were graded ‘Excellent’ by Ofsted in 2005, 2008 and 2009. The academic success and high standards have continued and inspections in 2013, 2017 and most recently in December 2022, found the school to be ‘good’ overall but recognised students’ behaviour and attitudes as ‘exceptional’ (graded as ‘outstanding’). Furthermore, the inspection recognised strengths in reading and literacy; careers provision; teachers’ subject knowledge; the support provided by the trust and the governing body; as well as identifying the ‘meticulous’ arrangements for safeguarding. The report also recognised “Senior leaders are relentless about raising standards and maintaining high expectations…”.. Our press release and the full Ofsted report can be accessed here. 

The Academy grows, adapts and thrives with each new cohort of students that are welcomed here every September and our recent move to Leigh Academies Trust has strengthened the academy’s ability to deliver the very best for our pupils.

Being part of Leigh Academies Trust: As of 1st September 2023, our Trust comprises 31 geographically organised academies (15 secondaries, 14 primaries and 2 special) educating 20,000 students, and employing 3,000 talented staff. The Trust is establishing four ‘clusters’ of academies: North Kent; Central Kent; South East London; Medway. In addition, the Trust is responsible for one of the region’s biggest initial teaching training organisations, a large teaching school hub and is an accredited apprenticeship provider. Our future plans are found in our Vision 2030 document available on our website.

As part of Leigh Academies Trust, you will have ample opportunity to collaborate with your peers both within the academy and across the whole Trust. This is an important part of our vision as we know through experience that we perform better when we work together. You are supported to undertake regular self-development to continue your professional development and hopefully progress further within the organisation.

Click here to view the benefits available to all LAT employees from day one. 

Our commitment to safeguarding: Leigh Academies Trust and all of our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process across all academies and business units which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates - you can read more about this in our Recruitment Guidance. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

Our commitment to equality and diversity: As a Trust, we are passionate about diversity and recognise that as individuals, we all bring something unique to the role regardless of any protected characteristics which is why we treat all of our people equally, without compromise. We are committed to providing equality and fairness throughout our recruitment and employment practices and not discriminating on any grounds.

Based on the quality and quantity of applications received, Leigh Academies Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy sooner than the specified closing date. Applicants will be notified of this where possible. Therefore, early applications are encouraged.