Head of Science

Thank you for your interest in our Head of Science role.

Orchard serves a richly diverse community in North Bristol, with a high proportion of disadvantaged children who recognise that you can make a real difference to their lives. We are seeking a Head of Science who can build relationships with children and staff rapidly, and make impact from day one.

The mission statement of the school, “inspire today, empower for life”, lies at the heart of all that the school does. As a school we are building our success on our core values, being Open-minded, Respectful, Creative & Curious, Healthy, Ambitious, Responsible and Determined. We place no limits on our aspirations for our students.

We are a friendly school, with a warm and welcoming staff body. We work together, we look after our staff wellbeing, and plan for sustainable, impactful development. Every member of staff is entitled to a coach and we develop all staff through regular, incremental coaching. Our most recent Ofsted report demonstrates we are a seriously good school, committed to becoming the outstanding school our community deserves.

We constantly strive to provide exceptional education through evidence-informed practice. We take the continuing professional development of staff very seriously, offering excellent CPLD. We are the Chartered College of Teaching Network for Bristol, and fund membership of the Chartered College for all our teaching staff so they can engage with research and contribute positively to CPLD within the school, across our multi academy trust, and beyond.

You are:

• a current or aspiring leader of science keen to develop your leadership skills in middle leadership, with a view to senior leadership in the future
• a coach, able to develop pedagogical and subject knowledge of your team
• confident to learn and share best practice as part of a vibrant team of middle leaders, including delivering CPLD across the school where required
• a strong, creative classroom practitioner, with the ability to work with the team to hone an inspirational curriculum
• passionate about the subjects in your Faculty, with a strong understanding of the specific skills required to raise achievement at GCSE level
• able to inspire, motivate and enthuse students in lessons and staff in your team
• committed to the highest achievement for all students

We offer: 

• enthusiastic students, willing to learn and achieve, who value the staff who work with them
• good student behaviour and a calm learning environment
• a bright, happy place in which to learn and work
• a professionally stimulating environment which values the contributions of all staff
• a strong commitment to your professional development, including the NPQML/SL, as appropriate
• the opportunity to support the team to establish a reputation across Bristol as an outstanding department
• a warm and friendly staff body with award-winning staff wellbeing

We particularly welcome applicants who speak one or more community languages, and applicants from currently under-represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion. We are committed to taking steps to increase the diversity of our employees and removing any barriers to opportunities and success.

We welcome applicants for this role from all Science specialisms who have proven results behind them. Prior leadership experience is a real advantage. Please read our Staff Prospectus to find out more about us, and visit our website. 

If you would like to visit the department or have any questions relating to this role, please contact Emma Snell, PA to Headteacher - contact details can be found on via the website. 

Fluency Duty

This role has been identified as falling within the definition of requiring fluency in spoken English. You will be required to speak English with confidence and be able to conduct a conversation and answer questions for extended periods of time.

Safeguarding Statement

Trust in Learning (Academies) is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All post holders are subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service clearance. Our policy and practice is in line with the Department for Education’s ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ most recent Guidance. We ensure that all appropriate measures are applied in relation to everyone who works for the Trust who is likely to be perceived by the children as a safe and trustworthy adult. Safer recruitment practice includes scrutinising applicants, online checks, verifying identity and academic or vocational qualifications, obtaining professional and character references, checking previous employment history and ensuring that a candidate has the health and physical capacity for the job.