Teacher of Chemistry

The Post:
Your opportunity to join a dynamic Chemistry Subject Area where there is a high demand from students and a strong record of success. Based in purpose-built facilities at a grammar school, with commendably high Value Added, it offers you the potential to develop your own career in a school moving towards ‘outstanding’. WCGS blends the best of tradition with the cutting edge of curriculum developments.

For the successful candidate, this is your chance to:

• Drive improvement in the quality of teaching from good to outstanding.
• Work within a highly motivated and exciting Science Faculty which challenges and supports professional development.
• Promote and raise the profile of Chemistry in the School and within the local community.
• Guide students through the academic pathways to study Chemistry at leading universities.
• Benefit from a Continuing Professional Development programme which has received a Quality Mark for excellence.

This brief will vary with time as you add to an already effective team, work in a flexible way, encourage innovation and enhance existing strengths.

Chemistry is a popular subject, with five GCSE groups in each year, all currently studying the Edexcel Certificate (iGCSE), an academically rigorous course suited to our students. There are five groups studying Chemistry, both in the Lower and in the Upper Sixth, with a large number of students pursuing related courses at university, including medicine, dentistry and veterinary science. The curriculum is delivered by four teaching staff, supported by a specialist technician. Great emphasis is placed on our work beyond the curriculum through clubs, university partnerships and links with other schools.

Results have shown an increasing trend of success, culminating in A* or A grades exceeding 85% at GCSE and A*-C exceeding 90% at A2.

Advantages include:

• A highly motivated Senior Leadership Team who wish to see the Sciences flourish within the School and the local community.
• Working with students who respond well to inspirational and motivational teaching creating memorable scientific experiences.
• Working in one of the leading Educational Authorities in the country; Sutton was yet again in the top three authorities in 2014.
• A school which has Value Added scores which are consistently in the top 5% nationally, and a subject area within the top 1% of schools for progress.
• A small school with roughly 1000 students ensuring that all staff get to know students quickly.
• The three sciences taught as discrete subjects at Key Stage 3 (which is Years 7 and 8 only), largely taught by subject specialists.
• Currently teaching the Edexcel Certificate iGCSE to Year 9, 10 & 11.
• Working in a school where GCSE results are always in the top 50 state schools in the country.
• Teaching Chemistry at A Level with 10 classes across the two years.

All candidates are asked to obtain a School Brochure containing further details along with Application and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Forms from Mrs Jo Johnson, Personnel Officer, and submit them to the School electronically for the attention of Mrs Johnson at (personnel@wcgs.org.uk). Please be aware that part of the application form requires a statement which will act as a letter of application to the Headmaster. CVs will not be considered.

For subject specific questions please contact the following: Miss J Gallagher (Subject Leader for Chemistry) – jgallagher20@suttonmail.org.

Closing date: Thursday 2nd July 2015 (9am)
Interviews: Monday 6th July 2015