Science Teacher (Physics Specialist preferred)

We require a well-qualified and enthusiastic teacher of Science to join a first class and well-resourced department for a September start date. The successful candidate will teach across the full range of sciences up to GCSE with the possibility of teaching A level in their specialist subject. This is an excellent opportunity for a newly qualified or experienced teacher to join a friendly, well established Science Department which is extremely supportive and achieves outstanding results through effective teamwork and collaboration.

Highams Park School is a highly successful and heavily oversubscribed local 11-18 comprehensive with approximately 1600 students on roll including approximately 400 in the 6th Form. In the most recent 2017 OFSTED inspection report the school was judged to be good and excellent results are achieved at GCSE and A-level. The school has an excellent reputation in the local area and students now enjoy the new 6th form building which opened in September 2017. The school is a converter Academy.

Please email the school on scroft@highamsparkschool.co.uk Mrs Sharon Croft, HR Manager, or go to our website www.highamsparkschool.co.uk to find out more. Please complete our application form (download from website) and return by midday Friday 14 May 2021.

Early applications will be considered on receipt and interviews scheduled accordingly

Safeguarding children

We are committed to the safety of our students through our recruitment and school practices; all jobs are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children.

About the Science Department

The Science Department at Highams Park School is a friendly and supportive department; it has 16 well qualified, highly motivated teachers and 4 knowledgeable and much valued technicians who work well as a team in a highly supportive atmosphere.

The Science department consistently achieves very high achievement across all 3 key stages. Our success is largely due to having an established committed group of hardworking enthusiastic teachers who have high expectations of our students.

The department has the use of 9 laboratories, a science staff room, a resource room and 3 prep rooms. All of the labs have recently had a complete refurbishment. We are supported by an efficient and highly skilled technical support team.

At Key Stage 3 students receive 3 one hour lessons for science out of the weekly 25-hour timetable. Our schemes of work are based on the National Curriculum, they follow closely the programmes of study as set out by QCA and they allow for progression in concepts across the Key Stage. The schemes of work prepare students well for KS4 and are supported by a programme of regular formative and summative assessment.

At Key Stage 4 students will follow one of 2 routes determined by teachers based upon student performance during Key Stage 3 and teachers’ professional judgement as outlined below:

1.  Approximately 160 students each year study a combined Science GCSE which leads to students gaining two GCSEs in science.
2. Approximately 60 students each year study three separate Science disciplines in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Students achieve 3 GCSEs. (This route involves an additional lesson after school and additional homework).

Both courses are based on the same body of knowledge and have a similar emphasis on exploration and investigation. Our GCSE results are outstanding.

The school has large and vibrant sixth form. All 3 A-level sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Physics are popular options and students regularly proceed to study science subjects at higher education.

We use Pearson Exploring Science resources at KS3 and Edexcel as our exam board at KS4 and KS5.

The science department provides an enjoyable, forward thinking and professionally supportive environment. Standards of achievement are very high and the department plays a key role in contributing to our very positive whole school ethos. We value every student as an individual and continually strive to meet the needs of each child.

We look forward to meeting potential candidates who are interested in joining the department and are willing to contribute to the future plans for developing the department further.