Physics Teacher

St Helen’s is an academically selective independent girls’ day school of more than 1200 students aged 3-18, set in beautiful green space in Northwood, Middlesex. 

THE DEPARTMENT

The Science Faculty in Senior School is led by the Head of Science & Physics, supported by separate Heads of Biology and Chemistry. GCSE and A Level Science results in recent years have been outstanding and pupil take-up of all three Sciences at A Level is excellent. A significant number of pupils go onto study science-related degrees, including Engineering, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Natural Sciences and Engineering.

Science teaching takes place in the STEM building, which comprises the original science block (comprising ten laboratories on two floors, ample preparation rooms, storage facilities and offices) and a new STEM extension accommodating Maths classrooms, Design & Technology workshops, and a Physics project laboratory. All Departments are well-resourced with class sets of apparatus to carry out a wide range of Biology, Chemistry and Physics experiments and investigations. All laboratories and study areas are networked to the school system. The Science Faculty is at the forefront of the school’s use of technology to enhance learning, and pupils have access to resources and assignments on MS Teams, OneNote, CENTURY and more. The faculty is well-resourced and supported by well-qualified, experienced laboratory technicians.

We are seeking a passionate Physicist to join our department of experienced teachers. The Physics department is vibrant and bustling with an exciting calendar of events and cocurricular offerings. Each year we host an inter-school Physics tournament for Year 10 girls, and we encourage the study of Physics and Engineering to A Level and beyond with STEM days, trips, Olympiads and House competitions. At lunch times we offer support clinics, CREST awards and engineering clubs. The majority of Year 11 students take three GCSE science qualifications; a small number of students each year opt for the Trilogy (Dual) Award. Numbers of students studying Physics at A Level are strong. We teach the AQA GCSE and OCR A A Level courses. Our lessons are practical and engaging, ensuring we teach not only the content but scientific thinking and rigour. 

THE POST

St Helen’s is looking to appoint a Full or Part Time (0.8) Physics Teacher to start September 2023. Early Career Teacher (ECT) applications are welcomed.

The role will report to: Head of Physics

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

All teachers are expected to ensure the highest standards of teaching and learning by:

•    Preparing and delivering challenging and differentiated lessons

•    Setting homework in accordance with the school’s homework policy

•    Marking work in accordance with the school’s marking policy

•    Using all available data and information to ensure that each student is provided with an appropriate programme of study

•    Having a good understanding of the schemes of work they are following and how these fit into the overall scheme of work for the subject they are teaching

•    Keeping up to date with developments in the teaching of their subject

•   Take a full and active role in the School’s Co-Curricular programme 

OTHER DUTIES

•      Carry out such duties as may reasonably be required by the Head of Department

•      Support and promote the school’s ethos, aims and objectives

•      Work towards and support the school vision and the current school objectives outlined in the School Strategic Plan

•      Promote and safeguard the welfare of pupils and adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

•      Work within the School’s health and safety policy to ensure a safe working environment for staff, pupils and visitors

•      Promote equality of opportunity for all students and staff

•      Help sustain a school culture and curriculum which promotes an ethical education for all including promoting positive strategies for challenging discrimination of any kind

•      Maintain high professional standards of attendance, punctuality, appearance, conduct and positive, courteous relations with pupils, parents and colleagues

•      Engage actively in the performance review process

•      Undertake other reasonable duties related to the job purpose required from time to time

THE PERSON

It is essential for the successful candidate to have the following qualifications,

experience, and personal attributes:

 ·        A good honours degree in a relevant or associated subject

·        A love of teaching and learning and a commitment to further professional development

·        Be able to work well with others and develop the curriculum through collaborative planning

·        Excellent classroom practice with experience of teaching Physics across the secondary age range including KS5

·        Detailed understanding of current developments in the secondary curriculum and assessment

·        Be able to lead learning in their classroom, develop each child and demonstrable passion for the subject 

It is desirable for the successful candidate to have the following qualifications,

experience, and personal attributes: 

•     A teaching qualification such as PGCE (or equivalent)

•     Evidence of further professional development

•     Knowledge and experience of how technology can be used to support learning 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Closing date: 8am Friday 17th February 2023

Please apply as soon as possible as shortlisting/interviews will progress up until the closing date. Should a suitable candidate be appointed, we reserve the right to close the advert early. 

Due to the volume of applicants, we receive, if you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume we will not be progressing your application further on this occasion.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the school where they will be interviewed by members of the Senior Leadership team, be observed teaching a lesson, have a tour of the school and meet other members of the Physics Department and wider Faculty.

St Helen’s school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, as detailed in Part 3 (Safer Recruitment) of the KCSIE 2022 guidance document. Applicants will be asked for proof of right to work in the UK and undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the disclosure and barring service.

If you have any queries about this position, please contact the school at recruitment@sthelens.london