Head of Chemistry

We are seeking to appoint a full time Head of Chemistry. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the wider life of the Chemistry Department as well as to the College’s extra-curricular programme.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities  

·        To be an outstanding classroom teacher who leads by example.  

·        To co-ordinate the work of the department by: 

o  Deciding upon syllabus and keeping abreast of syllabus and curriculum development.  

o  Maintaining and updating a departmental website on the school’s VLE, including the departmental handbook, schemes of work, revision materials, the arrangements or internal examinations and recommended reading.  

o  Ensuring that all regulatory requirements are met, all school policies are followed, and that good practice predominates.  

o  Allocating teaching in conjunction with the Head of Science and the Deputy Head.  

o  Devising and overseeing the production of schemes of work.  

o  Ensuring that evening school tasks are regularly and appropriately set and marked.  

o  Monitoring departmental assessment and reporting and ensuring that they follow school guidelines.  

o  Preparing and arranging to produce suitable course material.  

o  Selecting suitable textbooks and other resources.  

o  Instituting and developing polices on examinations.  

o  Ensuring that GCSE/A-Level required practical’s are completed by students at the appropriate points in the course.  

o  Arranging for members of the department to sit in on and discuss each other’s teaching.  

o  Ensuring that strategies for dealing with pupils with learning support requirements are developed.  

·        To analyse value added data, examination results (both internal and external) and other indicators of ability and achievement, and to discuss with members of the department what conclusions can be drawn and what targets should be set as a result.  

·        To develop with members of the department ways in which pupils can learn effectively; to be available to discuss and advise members of the department on all matters involving the motivation of pipuls, teaching method and classroom control; and to encourage the use of ICT where appropriate.  

·        To attend to administration relating to public examination entries, and to liaise appropriately with the school’s examinations office and external examiners and moderators.  

·        To set entrance papers when required, and to mark or arrange for the marking of Common Entrance and Scholarship examinations and other tests and interviews relating to entrance.  

·        To hold and minute regular departmental meetings, and to send copies of the minutes to the Deputy Head.  

·        To delegate appropriately.  

·        To attend Heads of Department and other meetings as requested by the Head Master.  

·        To liaise with other Heads of Department and members of staff and develop such cross-curricula links as may be appropriate.  

·        To keep abreast of developments both in the subject and in the teaching of the subject.  

·        To maintain a working knowledge of university entrance requirements and university courses in the subject and those related to it.  

·        To liaise with the Librarian, the Head of Learning Support and the Head of Sixth Form as necessary. 

·        To select and prepare candidates for entry to Oxford and Cambridge, and to ensure that all university entrance candidates in the subject are appropriately prepared for interview and entrance examinations.  

·        To liaise with Heads of Department in feeder preparatory schools. 

·        To promote the career development of members of the department, advising and encouraging relevant CPD.  

·        To support, encourage, monitor, and review teachers in the department, and to oversee all aspects of the academic duties of probationary and student teachers.  

·        To promote staff development and supervise departmental technicians.  

·        To plan a budget annually, liaising with the Head of Science and the Bursar.  

·        To ensure that staff and pupils in the department work in a safe manner in accordance with the School’s Health and Safety policy.  

Key Skills and Qualities required 

• Degree-level education in a relevant discipline with appropriate post-graduate professional qualifications and experience in schools.  
• A good team player with the ability to lead and work with a small team but also to work independently.  
• To have personality, enthusiasm, and gravitas to be an outstanding ambassador for the College.  
• Organisation, discretion, flexibility, and attention to detail.  
• Excellent skills in oral and written communication.  
• Ability to form strong working relationships with pupils, colleagues, and parents. Willingness to contribute to the co-curricular life of the College.  
• Confident proficiency with using Microsoft Excel. Training will be given on the College’s Management Information System (iSAMS).  

Application Procedure: 

Applications should be made using the application form. Candidates are asked to add a covering letter setting out, as succinctly as possible, their reasons for applying for the position at Lancing.  

Application forms are available from the College website www.lancingcollege.org.uk.  

Please send any emails to recruitment@lancing.org.uk  

A full curriculum vitae and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of a minimum of three referees, one of whom should be the candidate’s current or most recent employer should be included with the application. 

Informal conversations about the post may be arranged with the Head of Science, Rachel Hopkinson: rah@lancing.org.uk

Closing date: Monday 21 April 2025

Interviews: w/c 28 April 2025