Head of Chemistry
St George's College, Weybridge
Surrey
- Salary:
- Competitive Teaching Staff Salary & Benefits
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- 1 September 2025
- Apply by:
- 27 February 2025
Job overview
The Chemistry Department at St George's College is a lively, flourishing and friendly department, comprising six full-time members of staff. The Head of Chemistry will be required to lead and organise the department, teaching up to Oxbridge entrance level. This post will commence on 1 September 2025.
In the First and Second Year (Years 7 & 8), all students study Science for seven lessons per fortnight, taught in their tutor groups by one teacher covering the areas of Biology, Chemistry and Physics as topics. In the Third Year (Year 9), students continue to be taught in their tutor groups and have four lessons per fortnight in each science subject (Biology, Chemistry and Physics), each taught by a subject specialist. The KS3 National Curriculum is incorporated within the schemes of work for the First and Second Year and in Third Year students start the GCSE course, later choosing between either Double or Triple Science as part of their options for Fourth Year.
In the Fourth and Fifth Year (Year 10 & 11) Double Science students have five lessons per fortnight in in each of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Triple Science students have seven lessons per fortnight in in each science subject. The students follow the Pearson Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry (9 -1) specification (4CH1).
At A level the Pearson Edexcel 9CH0 specification is followed. The department also provides extra support for students applying to Oxford and Cambridge.
Students are encouraged to participate in competitions and attend lectures and other events to enhance their interest in the subject. These activities include the Science Live lectures, the Chemistry in Action lectures and competitions such as Top of the Bench, the South East Chemistry Challenge, the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge and the International Chemistry Olympiad.
Members of the department are encouraged to attend relevant CPD to keep themselves updated on changes in the examination system. Attendance is also expected at feedback meetings on examinations as well as conferences to keep abreast of cutting-edge areas in Chemistry and so enhance teaching and communication with students.
Members of the department are expected to contribute to the various activities undertaken by the department including surgeries to support A Level and GCSE students and revision classes.
The department has five designated Chemistry laboratories which are also shared with the other sciences when the need arises.
The Head of Chemistry will be required to attend regular Head of Department meetings, run Chemistry Department meetings and supervise the work of the Chemistry Laboratory Technicians. In addition, it will be necessary to keep abreast of syllabus changes and to modify and update schemes of work as appropriate.
The Head of Chemistry will need to liaise closely with the Heads of Physics and Biology over general Science Department policy and the Science Programme taught to First and Second Years.
The Head of Chemistry represents science on the school Health & Safety Committee.
Please note, applications will be reviewed upon receipt and shortlisted candidates may be invited for interview at short notice.
Single staff accommodation may be available on-site.
Attached documents
About St George's College, Weybridge
Introduction to St George's
St George’s College was founded by the Josephites in 1869, and is a leading academically selective independent co-educational Roman Catholic day school in Surrey. There are over 1,000 pupils between the ages of 11 and 18 who are able to enjoy an 100 acre campus full of excellent facilities, including a world class Activity Centre, built for our 150th anniversary in 2019.
We aim to develop perfectly balanced and quietly confident individuals by educating minds, expanding hearts and empowering lives, and our inspirational teaching inspires a love of learning and fulfils aspirations and potential. It’s this approach to education that puts us in the top 5% of schools nationwide for Value Added; something we are particularly proud of.
Build a great future with us
We want our school to be full of people who reflect and embrace our Josephite ethos. This is the embodiment of our Josephite values of politesse, douceur, happiness, zeal, hospitality, collaboration, and inclusivity. Our ethos generates a true feeling of family, and underpins how we behave with everyone while at St George’s. It positively impacts how we undertake our individual job roles whilst contributing to the culture at St George's.
What we offer:
- Staff professional development
- For teaching staff: accommodation is available onsite, with subsidised rent each flat includes a living room, bathroom, kitchen and bedroom. The occupancy of these flats requires no further commitment from teachers.
- ECT induction programme providing support and ongoing training
- On-site parking
- Fee remission for permanent appointments
- Free freshly prepared lunch
- Employee assistance programme and Benenden healthcare membership
- Employee loan scheme for permanent appointments
- Pension for business staff with doubled employer contribution up to 10%
- 25 days annual leave for business staff, increasing to 30 days on your 5th anniversary
- Staff discounts with local retailers
- Children’s holiday camp discounts
- Cycle to work scheme
- Uniform, where required
- Staff social events (annual staff dinner etc.)
Benefits of living and working in Weybridge
Weybridge is a small popular town with a good selection of branded and independent shops, great places to eat and beautiful woodlands and canal walks. Weybridge station offers at least four trains an hour taking only 29 minutes to reach London Waterloo station.
The College is situated on the outskirts of Weybridge on an attractive 100-acre site conveniently close to the intersection of the M3 and M25 motorways and just 20 minutes from Heathrow airport.
Academics
There are over 130 teaching staff in the College with an equal split of men and women, and some staff live on campus. Rachel Owens is the incumbent Headmistress, and she and the College are members of HMC and CISC.
The school has a selective entry and is oversubscribed. The majority of children join in First Year (Year 7), although there is a smaller entry into Third Year (Year 9) and the Sixth Form (Lower Sixth). Where space allows, new students may also arrive out of these usual intakes into Second, Third and Fourth Years.
New staff and induction
There is strong support for new teaching staff starting at the College, with an extensive induction programme. Newly appointed staff are encouraged to visit in the Summer Term to receive training and guidance from the Head of Department prior to the beginning of their employment. In addition, the College offers support and on-going training for newly qualified teaching staff lead by Mr Andy Cornick, Deputy Head (Operations) who is responsible for the welfare of new staff. There is an active and social Common Room committee and a broad range of teaching staff, many who have depth of experience and knowledge of St George’s from several years with us. QTS induction is facilitated.
All the teaching staff receive excellent support from business staff: the Bursar directs over 120 College employees including administration, IT, finance and catering. The annual appraisal scheme encourages staff to develop their careers and supports them in identifying training or study to assist in their development as teachers.
We aim to provide a caring and nurturing atmosphere at our independent day school – not just for our students. For everyone who works with us too, we want to make this an enjoyable and fulfilling environment. If you’d like to be part of it, you can look forward to excelling training and support, not to mention a range of outstanding benefits.
If you enjoy working as part of a friendly team and take a real pride in a job well done, this is your opportunity to join us here at St George’s Weybridge.
St George’s Weybridge is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. St George’s Weybridge is an Equal Opportunities Employer and a registered Educational Charity no. 1017853 as well as a data controller and registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office as required under current data protection legislation. Further information about how we use personal data is available in our Privacy Notice.
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