Lead Practitioner - Science

Lead Practitioner - Science

Dates: Apply by Monday 23rd May 2022

Location: Rickmansworth

Contract type: Full Time 

Contract term: Permanent

Salary: £30,948 to £51,288 (FTE) based on skills and experience

Start Date: September 2022

Are you an outstanding classroom teacher looking for a challenge which will enhance your career? Are you looking for progression within a dynamic school? Do you wish to be part of a phenomenal team in which you can thrive?

The Reach Free School is looking to appoint an enthusiastic and committed Lead Practitioner in Science to join our team of talented, energetic and visionary teachers. 

This position will provide additional support to the Head of Science with a focus on classroom practice and fostering a love and enjoyment of the subject. A key aspect of this role will be to support those in the early stages of their career ensuring they develop and become successful teachers. As such, you should be an excellent classroom practitioner who has experience of supporting and mentoring new and existing teachers. In addition to being an inspiring role model, we are looking for an innovative leader to inject enthusiasm and confidence into new teachers when delivering effective practicals. 

The Lead Practitioner will play an integral role within the Science department to motivate, challenge and inspire colleagues to provide an exceptional provision for our pupils, leading to outstanding outcomes. As such we are looking for someone who can:    

• model outstanding planning, teaching and assessment in order to support both specialist and non-specialist teaching staff   
• commit to planning and delivering professional development sessions both within Science and across whole school   
• work with colleagues to develop an innovative curriculum, designed to ensure all pupils make academic progress   
• ensure a consistent approach to teaching and learning which directly impacts the Science Department Action Plan as well as the School Development Plan   
• keep colleagues up to date with developments in best practice and be an advocate for the pedagogical approaches adopted at the school   
• secure and sustain effective teaching of Science through structured monitoring and evaluation of all aspects of teaching and learning and an active participation in the school’s review cycles through regular lesson observations   
• analyse data to provide a comparative baseline for evaluating learners progress and attainment as a means of judging the effectiveness of teaching and use this as a basis to improve teaching and learning   
• provide strong leadership alongside a drive to ensure professional development of colleagues as well as within yourself is paramount

Science is a popular and well-resourced subject at The Reach Free School. In KS3 pupils have four Science lessons every week. At KS4 this increases to five Science lessons for those studying Combined Science and eight lessons for those studying Triple Science. For KS3/KS4 the ability to teach multiple disciplines is required with an emphasis on contributing to the design and provision of an engaging curriculum, which provides pupils with the opportunity to achieve their individual potential. Our modern Science laboratories are well equipped to ensure that all substantial knowledge gained can then be applied practically. This is further enhanced by our popular Science electives which not only allow for discovery but also inspire a love of learning across the disciplines. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to develop and deliver the Post-16 Science courses that are offered.

You will have a passion for all the Sciences, and a track record of excellent teaching, collaboration and creativity. You will hold and embody the highest expectations of your pupils and will have the drive and ambition to create an outstanding environment for learning, in Science and beyond. 

As a school we will  offer you:    

• A unique opportunity to help build on the school’s successes to date   
• A happy and supportive working environment with high expectations and standards   
• Access to the latest technology to assist in developing your teaching and learning   
• Competitive salaries, based on skills and experience   
• A network of outstanding practitioners to collaborate with and learn from   
• The potential for further management opportunities   
• A BUPA cash plan to contribute to medical care 

The Reach Free School is a successful and growing secondary Free School, which opened in September 2013. The oversubscribed school is a popular choice for local families. In September 2018 the school moved into a brand new purpose built building right in the heart of the community that it serves.  

If the challenges of working to develop a local school appeal to you, then we would like to hear from you.

Further information is available from our website: www.thereachfreeschool.co.uk

Potential candidates are encouraged to contact The Reach Free School with any questions on 01923 711517 or via email to Mrs S Berman, Headteacher’s PA at sberman@reachfree.co.uk  

Closing date for applications: Apply by Monday 23rd May 2022

Interviews to take place: May 2022

The Reach Free School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and expects all staff to share this commitment. In accordance with our Safer Recruitment Policy we are unable to process applications without a fully completed application form. The successful applicant must obtain DBS clearance at enhanced level. The school will also carry out a prohibition from teaching checks. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of your employment.