Head of Physics

This is an excellent opportunity for an outstanding, ambitious and passionate Head of Physics to join the team. 

Line Management responsibility for: All teachers of Physics

Purpose of the post

To lead and manage the Physics department to ensure the subject makes a full contribution to the whole school curriculum.

Head of Department Responsibilities:-

Make judgements about standards of students’ achievement, rate of progress and personal development

• Analyse and interpret data on students’ achievement in the subject and ensure student performance data is used effectively and is in line with departmental targets

• Review with teachers their assessments of progress for classes

• Oversee the setting of students into appropriate ability groups

• Sample students’ work

• Moderate and review judgements about standards, including coursework

• Discuss work, progress and attitudes with sample groups of students

• Ensure procedures for both internal and external exams are carried out according to the School’s procedures and the Boards’ regulations as appropriate.

Evaluate teaching and learning

• Be accountable for the quality of the teaching of the subject

• Systematically observe colleagues teaching and review teaching and learning methods within the department to ensure they meet the needs of all students.  

• Provide feedback on observations to colleagues

• Monitor and review the planning of Physics teaching

• Keep abreast of current initiatives by regular review.  

• Review schemes of work annually and amend where necessary to ensure they focus on effective teaching and learning, meet Government guidelines. Where appropriate schemes of work should also incorporate cross-curricular themes including PSHE, citizenship and work related learning.

• Ensure the Departmental Assessment, Recording and Reporting Policy is in line with School Policy and is adhered to by all departmental staff.

• Support staff with student behaviour issues.

• Maintain a comprehensive view of departmental resources, to ensure that they are available to meet curriculum needs.

Lead sustainable improvement

• Arrange, conduct and keep records of departmental meetings and lead the department in discussion about best practice and priorities for the subject

• Lead the review, construction and resourcing of the curriculum

• Set targets for raising student attainment in the context of whole school targets

• Work with colleagues to organise appropriate intervention to address under-performance

• Develop and communicate a strategy for the improvement of the subject

• Take responsibility for organising departmental INSET time as well as monitoring the INSET needs of all members of the department.

• Create the capacity for change and inspire and enthuse colleagues by personal example (i.e. acting as a role model by maintaining a positive outlook and demonstrating sympathetic and focused support).

• Lead the improvement of teaching quality and encourage teachers to review and improve on their practice

• Ensure departmental views are reported to the appropriate bodies - Faculty, Governors, Headteacher.

• Contribute to the Faculty Handbook.

• Be responsible for positive image of the department 

Participate in whole School management responsibilities

• Contribute to the creation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the School Improvement Plan as it affects the department.

• Participate in working parties as required.

• Ensure all whole school policies e.g. Assessment, Health & Safety, Equality, More Able and Vulnerable groups and Special Educational Needs are in place and upheld within the department.

Staff Management

• Act as an appraiser where directed.

• Support NQTs  as needed

• Liaise with the mentor and Senior Mentor with regard to student teachers (SDS/SCITT) as appropriate.

Other

You will also be a Classroom Teacher and Form Tutor and be required to fulfill any other duties as required by the Headteacher commensurate with the post.

Overview

The Science Department at Bullers Wood

There is a strong tradition of Science teaching at Bullers Wood and we regularly attract a large number for A levels.  All three Sciences are very popular A level choices and a consistently high number of students continue to study Science based courses at university.  

The Science department is located in buildings adjacent to each other. Science is also taught in three smaller laboratories in our Sixth Form Centre, Inglewood House.  We have a new laboratory in the recently opened Sanderson building and we also have a new sixth form laboratory sponsored by Wolfson.  

There is a wide range of experience within the department.  It is lively and forward-looking and is committed to achieving success for all its students.  

Faculty and departmental meetings take place on a regular basis and all staff contribute to discussions.  

Setting Policy

Pupils are taught in ability groups throughout Key Stages 3 and 4 which are reviewed annually based on pupil progress in Science. 

Key Stage 3 

Students are taught a condensed two year national curriculum programme which cover topics from all three sciences in each term. Classes are either taught by one teacher or are shared between two different specialists. Throughout the year students undergo assessment in class time as well as a written test prior to each data collection.  Each year group sits a final exam in the summer term during the school’s exam week.  Students are taught in ability groups from January in year 7.  We start KS4 in the autumn term of Year 9.  

Key Stage 4 

At Key Stage 4 students currently study AQA Combined Science: Trilogy or AQA separate sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics). From a cohort of approximately 220, 2 groups will usually choose to study the separate Sciences with the remainder studying Combined Science. Specialist subject teachers deliver the content for each science. Students are taught in ability groups based on their progress throughout year 7-9.

Sixth Form

Science subjects are a very popular choice at KS5 both with internal candidates and in attracting students to the school at KS5. 

A large number of students go on to study Science subjects at university every year.  

We follow Linear OCR Biology and Chemistry and EdExcel Physics specification.