Director of Science

L7-L11 (£51,471 - £56,796)

Full time, permanent from January 2023

We are looking for a talented, and passionate leader who will help develop the school further as a centre of excellence for the sciences, continuing to enhance our strong local reputation through innovative curriculum development, cutting-edge teaching and learning methods, using data effectively and encouraging a collegiate and stimulating environment for students and staff alike. Blue Coat School is located in Oldham, Greater Manchester, and easily commutable from most of the cities and towns in the North West via the M60, M62, M6 and M56.

We want someone who is thoroughly passionate about science and the development of science pedagogy and curriculum, not only within Blue Coat, but also potentially to develop this across our Multi-Academy Trust.

Science is a large, successful and important department within the school, based in its own purpose-designed building, including 10 modern laboratories, 2 large preparation areas and a staff work room. The department also has access to two additional laboratories which are situated in the main school building. All laboratories have a teacher PC linked to a digital projector. In 2022, departmental VA was +0.44 with 100% of students achieving grades 9-5 in the three separate sciences at GCSE. 

The departmental staffing complement currently includes 18 teachers and 3 technicians.

Blue Coat also has an oversubscribed 6th Form of more than 420 students. Science is our most popular subject at A Level and all our A Level courses are thriving, with multiple groups in every discipline.

This post would be ideal for anyone with successful science teaching experience (preferably some A-Level, but this is not essential), with ambition and drive, a clear vision of what constitutes excellence in a science department, and some leadership experience (perhaps as a head or second in a subject or department or leading on curriculum, T&L or assessment) and who sees a faculty leadership position as the next step in their career.

Working for The Blue Coat School means that you would be part of the Cranmer Education Trust, a successful, growing Trust which prides itself on looking after its people, offering a high level of support and access to expertise. This is an excellent time to join the team, as we develop collaborative structures and systems to enhance and support our growing family of schools.

Alongside Blue Coat, the Trust is made up of The Brian Clarke CofE Academy, St Anne’s Academy in Middleton and two primary schools - East Crompton St George’s and Mayfield Primary. The Trust also incorporates a teacher training school and the East Manchester Teaching Hub; both of which support the training and development of new and existing teachers across the North West of England. For further details please visit https://careers.cranmereducationtrust.com/.

We offer:

·        Full support from a dedicated, inspirational and approachable leadership team

·        A collegiate approach to best practice, with a consultative yet inclusive style

·        The opportunity to join a dynamic and successful Ofsted Grade ‘1’ school

·        Career development, advice and the platform towards further career success from the potential we offer to work across our MAT, Teaching School Hub and SCITT structures

·        Opportunities for professional development in a growing Trust

·        Teachers career average pension scheme including life insurance and dependent’s pension

·        Generous holiday entitlement and sick pay scheme, increasing with length of service

·        Central Oldham location close to good transport networks

·        Convenient location for motorway (Junction 22, M62), bus and tram networks

The Blue Coat School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The Cranmer Education Trust follows safer recruitment practices. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020 and appointment is therefore subject to a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure & Barring Service.

For further information please refer to:

·        the Cranmer Education Trust’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy Trust Policies | Cranmer Education Trust

·        The Trust’s statement on the employment of ex-offenders, in the vacancy Supporting Documents section.

·        The job description and person specification for further information regarding the safeguarding responsibilities of the role.

Follow the link Cranmer Education Trust - Careers site to apply for this vacancy. Please note CVs are not accepted.

Closing date for applications: Monday 3rd October 2022 at 9am

Interviews: Friday 7th October 2022

Start Date: January 2023