Head of Science
Davenies School
Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire
- Expired
- Salary:
- £40,000-£50,000 depending on qualifications and experience
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- 01 September 2019
- Apply by:
- 22 April 2019
Job overview
The specific points below are not a comprehensive statement of procedures and tasks but set out the main expectations of the School in relation to the post holder’s professional responsibilities and duties.
Objectives
- To foster enjoyment and enthusiasm for Science
- To ensure pupil learning and progress
- To raise standards of pupil achievement in Science at all levels
- To ensure that Science is a leading department in the School
Principal Areas of Responsibility
- The development and strategic direction of Science as a subject throughout the school
- Teaching, learning and the curriculum
- Assessment and monitoring pupil progress
- Managing resources
- Leading and managing staff in department
- Communication; organising events; promoting Science, including via social media
- To ensure that all health and safety requirements are met and that equipment is maintained and serviced as appropriate
Key Tasks
- Teaching Science up to Common Entrance and Scholarship level
- Ensuring that the Science curriculum is delivered effectively throughout the School in a stimulating and engaging way
- Maintaining coherent links throughout the School in the teaching of Science
- Writing a Departmental Development Plan (annual) and responding to Science-related items on the School’s Development Plan
- Updating regularly the School’s intranet, management system and notice boards making Science an obvious and important area of the School
- Regular observation of this subject across the School
- Maintaining and revising the Science schemes of work
- Organising and chairing departmental meetings
- Keeping records and minutes of departmental meetings
- Monitoring and developing pupils’ individual development
- Setting, marking and moderating examinations
- Organising, recording and reporting on assessments
- Encouraging the use of IT in Science, in liaison with the Head of Digital Learning
- Liaising with Learning Support Teachers and the Director of Studies
- To lead the teaching of Science by example
- To lead professional development in Science
- To manage the Science Department budget
- Arranging suitable visits and visitors to enrich the curriculum
Qualifications, Training & Experience
The successful candidate should have:
- Attained QTS, and will be expected to hold a degree
- A thorough knowledge of the subject
- A proven track record of teaching Science
Competences and Qualities
The successful candidate should be:
- An enthusiast
- Passionate about Science
- A proven advocate of active and practical learning
- A team player
- Kind and approachable, with a sense of humour
- Motivated to achieve high (academic) expectations and instill high standards of behaviour
- Extremely professional: diligent, punctual and thorough, encouraging an atmosphere of mutual respect when dealing with boys, staff and parents
- An excellent communicator, with children and adults alike
- Able to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children
- A competent and enthusiastic user of IT
- Able to lead and inspire whilst being supportive of other members of the Department
- Encouraging of the staff, recognising and assisting them to reach their potential
- Organised and able to plan effectively
- Prepared to stay appraised of new ideas/developments in education
- Prepared to contribute significantly to the School outside the classroom
Candidates will be able to demonstrate qualities expected of someone working with children and young people.
Attached documents
About Davenies School
Davenies is a day preparatory school for boys between the ages of 4 and 13 where the boys are happy, curious, enthusiastic and kind.
Aims of the School - Our ethos and philosophy encourages the boys to make the most of their preparatory years supported by high quality pastoral care, a broad and stimulating curriculum and numerous extra-curricular opportunities. We value Sport, Drama, Music, Art and Design, and believe that by fostering a wide range of interests and passions we provide the boys with every opportunity to grow in confidence. We strive for each boy to discover and develop what he enjoys as well as cultivating his perseverance, determination and confidence to tackle the areas where he may be less adept. Enterprises such as the unique Davenies Award Scheme and the permeation of mobile computing in our teaching and learning ensure we offer a truly independent educational experience.
The Learning Experience - At Davenies, our excellent facilities support us in providing a positive learning experience with our own language of learning that nurtures each boy's understanding of how he learns. Technology, modern teaching styles and a commitment to independent learning complement our traditional values. We encourage respectful, tolerant behaviour; politeness and good manners. Davenies boys are friendly and thoughtful with their own distinct characters, personalities, interests and passions and they progress on to some of the best senior schools in the country. We seek to find the potential in each boy at Davenies, whether in Maths, French, Music or outside the classroom walls. Our extra-curricular programme is as varied as it is fun and offers innumerable opportunities for boys to be involved before, during and after school. Learning something new, honing an existing skill or enjoying some recreational time with friends – there is something for everyone. From Fencing to French Rap, Lego to LAMDA, Cubs to Conservation, and Podcasting to Photography, our own staff offer the boys nearly 50 extra-curricular activities each term.
Safeguarding - Davenies is committed to providing the best possible care and education to its pupils and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people whilst offering a supportive and flexible working environment to all its members of staff. The School recognises that, in order to achieve these aims, it is of fundamental importance to attract, recruit and retain staff of the highest calibre who share this commitment. Child protection screening applies to all staff appointments within the school, including Enhanced DBS Certificate, Barred Lists check, and checks against the Teacher and Management Prohibition Lists.
Staff - With over 80 employees, the body of Teaching Staff and Teaching Assistants are supported by a team of office staff, a site team led by the Facilities Manager, and a dedicated School Nurse. Catering and cleaning are outsourced, with external contract staff working onsite to provide term-time services. In addition, the School hosts a range of visiting music, LAMDA and extra-curricular activity tutors. In addition to a competitive salary, staff can expect to benefit from discretionary school fee remission awards, iPads for teaching staff, membership of group pension scheme, and complimentary school dinners and refreshments.
Facilities - Centred around a Grade II Listed Farmhouse, the school comprises a mix of traditional and modern buildings, with the latest, the RIBA award-winning Jubilee Building housing the Pre-Prep and Junior School, having been completed in September 2015. With purpose-built drama, design & technology and IT amenities, amongst many other subjects, the school is renowned for its sporting facilities, including an indoor swimming pool, sports hall, astro-turf and sports pitches.
Location - Situated midway between the Old and New Towns of Beaconsfield in South Bucks, there are excellent transport links with a direct train line into London just 5 minutes’ walk from the School, and Junction 2 of the M40 just a few minutes away.
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