Skip to main content
Tes home
SearchBack to search
Head of Chemistry/Teacher of Chemistry

Head of Chemistry/Teacher of Chemistry

The College of Richard Collyer

Horsham, West Sussex

Salary:
£24,098 - £39,329 + responsibility allowance depending on experience for Head of Subject if relevant
Job type:
Full Time, Permanent
Start date:
September 2019

Job overview

Established almost 500 years ago, the College of Richard Collyer is forward-thinking in every way – we’re a Beacon College and were rated Outstanding by Ofsted at our last inspection. Our mission is simple: to deliver the best possible education to our 2,000 students aged 16 to 19, and our achievements speak for themselves – in 2018, our A level high grade rate was 60% and with Alps grade 2 (top 10% nationally) for value added, we are the sixth best sixth form college in the country. 

A great college deserves a great location, and we can certainly boast that: we’re close to the centre of the historic market town of Horsham and under an hour from London by train. We’re a supportive community rather than just a place to work, and we are deeply committed to the professional development of our staff. 

A well-qualified and enthusiastic Chemist is required to join the Chemistry department, a thriving subject area within the Faculty of Science and Mathematics, to teach and contribute within the A level Chemistry course. Applications would be welcomed from both experienced and newly qualified teachers. For the right candidate, the opportunity to lead the Chemistry department in the role of Head of Chemistry can be offered. 

Qualifications: Candidates should hold a good degree classification in Chemistry, Biochemistry or a related discipline (e.g. other Physical Science or Natural Science) together with a recognised teaching qualification (PGCE, Cert Ed, DET). 

Experience: Current or recent experience of delivering A level Chemistry qualifications to 16-19 year-olds is desirable but not essential. 

Knowledge and Skills: Knowledge of A level Chemistry qualifications is desirable. Candidates should hold a thorough understanding of the broader concepts appropriate to delivering A level Chemistry and possess the ability and willingness to develop their knowledge of the topics specific to the exam boards followed at Collyer’s. Candidates should possess the ability to use practical science and information technology to support teaching and learning.

Personal Qualities: Excellent teamwork and communication skills. Flexible approach and well-organised work patterns. For the Head of Chemistry role, the ability to lead a motivated, experienced department is required.

Motivation and Expectations: A commitment to high standards to motivate, support and encourage the growth and maturing of students to ensure excellent outcomes.  

Within the Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Chemistry A level students follow the OCR A Chemistry specification and are taught for four hours and twenty minutes per week per teaching group. Full-time teachers (including Heads of Subject) would usually teach five teaching groups of four hours and twenty minutes per week. 

The Chemistry department comprises of three teachers of Chemistry supported by two laboratory technicians, who prepare equipment for class experiments and assist during practical sessions. Currently the Collyer’s Chemistry department teaches to 110 first-year and 150 second-year A level Chemistry students. The department produces excellent outcomes with Chemistry A level students achieving results amongst the top 15% by value added in the country. The Science Faculty holds two well-equipped Chemistry laboratories, with a further six laboratories of multiple use. All teaching spaces have projectors and are well resourced with a wide range of relevant practical equipment.

The Chemistry teaching team currently follow a fully in-house resourced unified scheme of work comprising of student notes, home works and in-class assessments. Contribution to unified teaching materials is strongly encouraged in all teaching staff, with responsibilities allocated for maintenance of materials under the direction of the Head of Subject. 

Collyer’s is committed to the professional development of all staff. Staff are encouraged to attend external CPD as well as in-house training events.

Members of the teaching staff are usually also personal tutors. Tutors monitor progress and offer support and guidance to 25 students during a one-hour session per week. The ability to contribute to the enrichment programme would also be welcome.

To apply, please visit http://www.collyers.ac.uk/vacancies/10838.html 

Closing date: Noon on Monday, 3rd June 2019.

About The College of Richard Collyer

The College of Richard Collyer in Horsham, ‘Collyer’s’, is one of the leading sixth form colleges in the country and the no.1 choice for A Levels in West Sussex. The College has an attractive campus, and classrooms are well resourced, with ambitious plans for growth in the coming years that have already started. There is a collegiate and professional ethos amongst staff and students within which excellent teaching and learning can flourish.

The College has a long history of commitment to education whilst also seeking to remain forward thinking. It was founded as a school nearly five hundred years ago under the terms of the will of a prominent member of the Mercers’ Company in the City of London. Ever since, the Mercers’ Company and the Parish of Horsham have been involved in its governance and are represented on the Governing Body. In 1976, Collyer’s became a sixth form college and remains a designated sixth form college and a full member of the Sixth Form Colleges’ Association and the Association of Colleges.

The College provides education for over 2,350 young people in the 16–19 age range. Around half of each year’s intake comes from the three partner 11–16 schools in Horsham: Forest, Millais and Tanbridge House. Many others come from a wide range of schools which are further afield, including the independent as well as the maintained sectors. Collyer’s has a very successful and consistent record in external examinations. In 2023, the A Level high grade rate (A*–B) was 61%. Results across our other course types, such as vocational, technical, transition and GCSE, are equally strong. Collyer’s also runs Adult Education and Skills courses in the evenings, with over 300 students studying a range of professional and recreational adult learning courses ranging from art to accounting.

Collyer’s is situated near the centre of Horsham, within easy reach of the town centre and railway station. We currently employ 112 teachers and 105 support staff, each with a mix of full-time and part-time posts. The College is organised for teaching into three Faculties; nearly all teachers also act as personal tutors for up to 24 students organised into six houses led by a Head of House. The majority of our students take A Level or vocational Level 3 courses and go on to further and higher study or employment. Intermediate Level courses, including BTEC Level 2 and GCSE, are also offered. A wide range of enrichment activities, Performing Arts, Sport and Recreation are recommended to provide a broad and balanced programme for students.

Support staff provide vital services for the effective running of the college in Administration, Finance, HR, Information and Learning Technology, Curriculum Support, Library, Catering and Premises.

The College is committed to continuing professional development for staff. Applications are welcomed regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, religion, belief or sexuality.

Collyer’s is a rewarding and stimulating place in which to work, with a strong identity and sense of community. We look forward to receiving your application if you would like to join us.

Dan Lodge

Principal

Please note that you are wholly responsible for fact checking in respect of the information provided by schools. Please also check for the latest visa and work permit requirements that may apply. Tes is not responsible for the content of advertisements or the policies adopted by advertising schools. Tes asks that all schools follow Tes' Fair Recruitment Policy.