KS3 Co-ordinator Science

Inspire, transform, teach! We are currently looking to appoint a dedicated and inspiring Teacher of Science as KS3 Coordinator.

At Harris Academy Chobham, you will join a dedicated team of teachers and staff supporting our vibrant students. If you are looking for an opportunity to grow, inspire and develop, this may be the role for you.

About Us

Chobham Academy is always on the lookout for inspirational and influential staff. Most of all, we are on the lookout for potential colleagues who like our students and want to help them succeed. In order to help our staff have the best possible experience and achieve a proper work- life balance, we have put into place a range of measures to benefit both our teaching and students services colleagues.

These include: 

• An extra week of holiday for all Chobham staff. This takes the form of a two-week half term in October. We work fewer days than most other schools.
• Outstanding professional development both at Chobham and through the wider Harris Federation
• Excellent promotion opportunities
• A constant dialogue about workload and how to manage it most effectively. We have regular workload audits, and frequent campaigns to tackle unnecessary work and identify quick wins
• Rapid and effective support with any student behavioural issues arising
• A high-quality staff induction programme
• Marking protocols devised by departments themselves
• Manageable and flexible lesson planning expectations
• Clear communications and manageable deadlines. We only ask staff to do what is necessary and avoid complication and confusion. Chobham is an exceptionally well-run school
• Learning walks rather than formal lesson observations. These are not graded
• Nursery on site
• Flexible and part time working encouraged whenever possible
• Additional time for leadership responsibilities
• Focus on effective outcomes rather than time spent 
• High levels of administrative support for all teachers
• Ongoing celebration of staff excellence
• Generous Harris rewards and benefits package, including an extra £2000 annually for all teachers working in our Academy.

We place high emphasis on staff wellbeing at Chobham. This helps colleagues to be happier and more effective in their work. Staff are regularly consulted about their wellbeing and the outcomes of these consultations have a direct and rapid impact upon the Academy’s approach to supporting staff wellbeing. 

We understand that while it is incredibly rewarding, teaching is also a physically and emotionally wearing job.  We want Chobham teachers to be as fit and fresh as possible and to know that the school as a community really cares about how they are.  We have tried to put these principles into practice with a number of initiatives which we think give Chobham teachers one of the best wellbeing packages to be found anywhere.  These include:

• A meeting free week every half term
• An extra week of holiday with a two-week half term in the Autumn
• A late start or early finish for every teacher on one day each week
• A staff mindfulness programme led by trained colleagues and supported by a free mindfulness app
• Subsidised gym membership
• Staff fitness and exercise classes
• Guest speakers on wellbeing
• Regular special events such as comedy nights
• The ‘Perkbox’ package of financial benefits
• Staff discounts at shops and restaurants in the local area
• Access to the Harris Federation’s staff counselling service

Our staff are regularly consulted on the wellbeing services the school provides and we always try to respond to staff suggestions.  In this way, staff feel empowered and get more of the services they really want.  ;We are very proud of our wellbeing programme at Chobham and hope you will agree that it shows our commitment to making the school an exemplary working environment.

Main Areas of Responsibility

The purpose of your role will be: 

• To be accountable, alongside the Director of Learning for Science, for student progress and development in the subject area across Key Stage 3 including meeting student achievement targets for the key stage which are agreed by the Principal, Governing Body and Line Manager
• To ensure high standards of teaching and learning across Key Stage 3 Science through continuously developing, enhancing and evaluating the quality of teaching and learning, specifically focused on developing teachers’ knowledge and delivery of examination specifications
• To ensure that the curriculum for the Key Stage 3 in Science is varied and personalised, with a rich range of extra-curricular opportunities and activities to supplement the timetabled sessions
• To ensure, alongside the Director of Learning for Science, the provision of an appropriately broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum for students in Key Stage 3 Science, in accordance with the Academy aims and policies, as determined by the Principal, Governing Body and Line Manager, including planning and implementation of any changes to the specification
• To ensure that all Academy policies and procedures are implemented and applied consistently by all staff Key Stage 3 in Science
• To effectively and efficiently manage and deploy teaching/support staff, financial and physical resources across the Key Stage 3 Science
• To mentor and coach an NQT or TF colleague to ensure successful achievement of QTS/ NQT status
• To ensure that students are well prepared for the next stage of their education

Qualifications & Experience

The successful candidate will: 

• Hold QTS (or equivalent) and a relevant undergraduate degree
• Have successful teaching experience at secondary level (can be teaching practice), ideally including experience in multi-ethnic urban schools and of working in an 11-18 school
• Understand the theory and practice of effective teaching and learning
• Understand the importance of high expectations and equality of access for all students, and of being a tutor
• Have knowledge of National Curriculum requirements at KS3 and KS4, and of writing lesson plans, developing resources and assessing students' work
• Be able to work as part of a team and to develop and maintain positive relationships with all staff
• Have a good level of ICT skills, ideally including innovative use of interactive white boards
• Be able to create a motivating and safe learning environment for all students
• Be able to communicate positively with parents, carers and other external agencies where necessary
• Have good written and spoken communication skills
• Be able to lead and manage their own work effectively
• Have excellent time management skills
• Be able to motivate students and raise their aspirations through a range of strategies

Professional Development & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level to senior leadership.