Teacher of Chemistry

Teacher of Chemistry at Denstone College (Full-time)

The Science faculty is one of the leading academic areas within Denstone College, with growing numbers of pupils involved in courses offered within the department and outstanding recent results across both GCSE and A Level. This position offers the opportunity for the successful candidate to join a dedicated and experienced department from September 2024, teaching Chemistry up to A Level and also contributing to the teaching of Lower School science and/or a second science subject.

The department consists of three well equipped laboratories and a teaching classroom, all with Smartboards. There are currently five members of staff who contribute to the department’s teaching, and excellent support is also provided by a team of full-time science laboratory technicians. Within schemes of work and specifications the ethos of the department is to encourage innovation and a variety of teaching styles in teaching the subject, with a particular emphasis on purposeful practical work across all age groups. The Chemistry department is part of a vibrant Science faculty which has enjoyed significant improvements in facilities in recent years, helping it become one of the strongest academic areas in the College. All sciences enjoy significant ‘A’ Level numbers in recent years, with a good number of students securing places at top universities to read science-based degrees each year.

Students in our First and Second Forms (years 7 and 8) follow the evidence-based Oxford SMART course that aims to develop their skills, knowledge and curiosity, with teaching in separate sciences beginning in Third Form (Year 9). All students progress to studying sciences either as separate GCSE courses (AQA specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics) or within the AQA Combined Science: Trilogy course, equivalent to two GCSE grades upon completion. Chemistry is a very popular subject at Denstone College, with results well above the national average with 30 students in both lower and upper sixth groups now follow the OCR A Level course; 76% of entries resulted in an A*,A or B grade at A Level in 2023. GCSE performance is also healthy with nearly 50% of pupils achieving grade 7 or above in 2023. Contributions would also be welcome to the department’s excellent enrichment programme which has seen the school recently compete in regional and national chemistry competitions such as the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge, Olympiads and Top of the Bench events.

Denstone College has made significant strides in recent years, with expanding pupil numbers and a developing reputation for achievement in academic and other areas. This was confirmed by the most recent ISI inspection (November 2017) which judged the school to be “excellent” in terms of the quality of pupils’ academic and other achievements and also pupils’ personal development. In September 2021 the College welcomed onsite its own Prep division, educating pupils from 4-11 years old, and there may also be opportunities here for the successful candidate to contribute to the delivery of science to these age groups.

The successful candidate will be expected to teach a timetable of up to 27 periods per week (with each period 40 minutes in duration). All full time staff also act as tutors within the College’s House system, and a commitment to the activities and/or games programmes at the College is also expected. Life at Denstone is busy but also immensely rewarding!

Denstone College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all our staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS and pre-employment checks. 

For more information, please contact recruitment@denstonecollege.net 

Please note, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the closing date so early applications are recommended.