Head of Science (Full Time)
Chichester Free School
West Sussex
- Quick apply
- Expired
- Salary:
- MPS/UPS + TLR
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Apply by:
- 10 December 2019
Job overview
The Governors and Principal are seeking an exceptional teacher with the enthusiasm and vision to teach within, and lead the Science Department at Chichester Free School. This is an opportunity for a full time position, from January 2020. A later start will be considered for the right candidate.
The Governors are looking for strong academic experience but also experience of working in a school committed to our values and ideals, where the co-curricular life of the school is as vital as the rigour of the taught curriculum. The Head of Science will be an outstanding educator with the ability and drive to offer the highest quality of teaching and learning. As an all through school there may be opportunities, for the right candidate, to teach across all phases, but this is primarily a Secondary post.
Chichester Free School follows national pay scales; this role would be suited for an experienced teacher. The Upper Pay Scale would be considered for the right candidate and on the agreement of a whole school responsibility in addition to the role outlined below.
The School
Chichester Free School is a non-profit making, state-funded school, established in response to real demand within the local area for a greater variety of schools. We have been open since 2013, and are now fully established in our state of the art facility on the Carmelite Convent Site on the Hunston Road in the south of Chichester. We are full in all year groups from Years R to 11, with waiting lists in most phases of the School. Our PAN is 60 in Primary, and 120 in Secondary and we are currently operating a small Sixth Form.
Since 2013, Chichester Free School has achieved two ‘Good’ Ofsted Inspections and three years of average Progress 8 at GCSE. Our 4+ English and Maths results have consistently been significantly above the national average. Outcomes in Primary are also strong and continually improving. As a school we are now striving to be ‘Outstanding’ and to achieve above average outcomes in all phases. Our values of ‘nurture, challenge and inspire’ influence everything we do as a school, and permeate all areas of school life.
Chichester Free School is open to pupils of all abilities. We do not have a catchment area, thus ensuring the School is fair and inclusive. We take part in the West Sussex County Council (WSCC) admissions process. As a Free School we benefit from the same freedoms and flexibilities as academies, and are subject to the same Ofsted inspections and rigorous standards as all state schools.
For more information on our ethos and values, prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to look at our website: www.chichesterfreeschool.org.uk.
The Science Department
Our highly qualified and successful Science department consists of a ten strong team with six new, bright, high ceilinged labs and two specialist preparation rooms, with impressive views of the local area. There may be opportunities for you to teach in the Infant and Junior phases in the future and you will have time to develop both outstanding lessons for our students, and yourself as an innovative practitioner and leader.
Our results have been increasing year on year with GCSE results in line with national average progress 8 scores. As a department we are committed to improving outcomes and sparking interest, with small class sizes in all GCSE year groups. The required science practicals are only a small part of the number of practical lessons that occurs throughout the year.
Pupils are entered for AQA Science Trilogy GCSE with an increasing number of students opting for Triple Science as it becomes one of the most popular GCSE choices within the school.
The Role
The person appointed to this post will be expected to teach Science across all abilities from at least Years 7 to 11. There is currently a need in the department for a Physics specialist, but applications from any discipline will be considered. The person appointed will also be expected to take a proactive role in the extra curricular life of the school and to contribute to our focused intervention programme.
The key priorities for the Head of Science in their first 12-24 months will be to:
• develop the Science curriculum for both KS3 and KS4, including looking towards KS2
• lead the department and support them in realising their potential
• develop your creative and innovative practice and that of your students
• engage in rigorous programmes of monitoring and evaluation of the Department’s teaching and learning with reference to the success criteria as outlined in the plans
• engage with parents, stakeholders and the community
The successful candidate will:
• be a well-qualified, enthusiastic graduate of Science, or complimentary subject
• be a highly-skilled and competent teacher who is energetic and totally committed to the ethos of the School
• readily establish excellent relationships with both staff and students
• Have an up-to-date awareness of current issues relating to Science teaching, especially the new curriculum and GCSE requirements
• enjoy pioneering new developments in pedagogy
• embrace the use of new technologies in the classroom
• be skilled in behaviour for learning
• value creating an inspiring learning environment
• explore opportunities to further participation and achievement in their subject, eg debating, creative writing etc
• possess drive, expertise and enthusiasm
• be well-organised and disciplined when it comes to administrative duties
• possess an optimistic and resilient style when faced with pressure
• be able to communicate well with children and young people, having an understanding of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people
All teachers at Chichester Free School commit themselves to contribute fully to the ethos and life of the School in and outside the classroom.
For further information and informal discussion about this post, please do not hesitate to contact our HR Officer, Rebecca Kersey, on HR@chichesterfreeschool.org.uk or on 01243 792690. Candidates should complete an Application Form and supporting statement addressing the criteria presented in the role description and person specification. Completed applications should be sent to HR@chichesterfreeschool.org.uk by midday on Tuesday 3 December 2019.
Visits to the school are strongly encouraged.
Short-listed candidates will be invited to interview in the week beginning 9 December 2019.
Any offer of employment will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly CRB) check.
Chichester Free School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. In accordance with our Child Protection Policy we are unable to process applications without a fully completed application form. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. All convictions, cautions and bind-overs, including those regarded as ‘spent’ must be declared when applying. The applicant may post such a declaration in an envelope marked ‘Private & confidential for the Principal’. The successful applicant must obtain List 99 clearance and DBS clearance at enhanced level.
Attached documents
About Chichester Free School
ABOUT CFS
Chichester Free School (CFS) is a state-funded, all-through school, established in response to real demand within the local area for a greater variety of schools. It is part of Sussex Learning Trust, with the key objective to establish, maintain, manage and develop a broad and balanced education. The Trust is absolutely committed to providing young people with the best possible chance to succeed.
CFS is now entering its second decade and is fully established in our state-of-the-art facilities on the Carmelite Convent Site on the Hunston Road in the south of Chichester. Our PAN is 60 in primary, and 120 in Secondary, but in most year groups we are oversubscribed with waiting lists.
As a Free School, we are the same as any other academy; we are both held and hold ourselves to the same exacting and rigorous standards as all state-funded schools. We follow the national curriculum, and are proud of our ambitious, inclusive and varied curriculum offer. Our pupils engage with SATs and GCSE assessments. Since 2013, CFS has achieved two ‘Good’ Ofsted Inspections. As a school we are now striving for excellence in all areas, and to achieve above average outcomes in both phases.
CFS is a member of Sussex Learning Trust, a family of like minded schools that put children at the forefront of everything we do. For more information on the Trust, please see the link here.
CFS is open to pupils of all abilities. We do not have a catchment area, thus ensuring the School is fair and inclusive. We take part in the West Sussex County Council (WSCC) admissions process for our Reception and Year 7 intake and so parents apply for places for their child in the same way as any other local state school for those year groups. However, we manage our own in year admissions for all other year groups and applications should be made directly to CFS.
At CFS we strive for excellence in all that we do. Whilst proud of being a relatively small school in our Secondary phase where every child is truly known as an individual, our ambition is uncompromising. We aim for all pupils to achieve their full potential, and exceptional progress sits proudly as our most important pupil outcome measure. We are a school where the happiness and safety of our pupils and staff is just as important as academic achievement.
WE BELIEVE IN NUTURING, CHALLENGING AND INSPIRING ALL OF OUR LEARNERS.
We aim to nurture, challenge and inspire in everything we do at CFS, in and outside the classroom. Our practice is rooted in engaging and inspiring lessons, where academic rigour is achieved by building on pupils’ prior learning. We encourage our pupils to show resilience in lessons, challenge them to achieve the best that they can and inspire them through creative approaches which fire a desire to learn. Our intention is to ensure pupils make outstanding progress and that our inclusive and adaptive curriculum removes any potential barriers to learning and prepares our young people for the outside world. For more information about the intent, implementation and impact of our curriculum please do have a look at our curriculum page here.
WE BELIEVE IN AN ALL-THROUGH EDUCATION.
We provide a seamless education from ages four to 16. We aim to inspire curiosity and engage learners in common approaches throughout Primary and Secondary. Sharing practice across both phases is common place, and this approach allows us to reduce the negative effects often associated with transition.
WE BELIEVE IN A VARIED CURRICULUM.
Throughout the School we maintain rigorous standards of the core subjects, whilst also providing a varied, high quality and broad curriculum. As evidenced by our state of the art facilities, we are committed to STEM and creative subjects. Our creative, inclusive and flexible offer for all pupils is never compromised, despite the ever increasing emphasis on accountability results.
WE BELIEVE IN COMMUNITY AND FAMILY.
Our House system permeates school life on a daily basis, providing all stakeholders with an engaging sense of community and healthy competition.
WE BELIEVE THAT A STRONG EDUCATION IS NOT JUST ABOUT QUALIFICATIONS.
We know that personal skills such as respect, good speaking and listening skills, common sense, a resilient and hardworking attitude, and ambition are key skills for young people. Our curriculum focuses on these qualities and ensures that every child is ready and equipped for their future. We also work hard to provide experiences that ensure pupils leave us as truly global citizens, with the outlook, empathy, respect and motivation to thrive.
WE BELIEVE THAT THE QUALITY OF OUR TEACHERS IS FUNDAMENTAL TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR SCHOOL.
We recruit proven individuals who we regard as being absolutely the best people to teach. Through a robust process of performance management, our staff receive guidance and support to ensure they continue to do their very best. We hope all staff will feel honoured to be part of CFS.
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