Senior Lead Practitioner for Science L16-L20 Flexible location

About the organisation:

This is an incredible opportunity for you to make a difference and join a great team of people as a leader within the supportive Head Office team of a values-led organisation. Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT) is one of the largest not-for-profit MAT's in England with almost 5,000 staff and 30,000 students. We have been around since 2009 making us one of the longest established trusts. Our mission is to be the Trust that makes the biggest difference both inside and outside the classroom.

Our vision is for all young people to have access to the highest academic, social and practical skills required to achieve their full potential, whether going on to study at a leading university or entering the world of work. We are determined to become the Trust that makes the biggest difference, both inside and outside the classroom.

We are continuing to improve outcomes for our students despite being largely in areas of historic academic underachievement

About the job:

This is a very exciting stage in our development to join. We currently have two science lead practitioners who work across our four regions. Our team of lead practitioners across all subjects who work as part of the wider education and training team is expanding.  We are now looking to recruit a brilliant individual to take on the new role as Senior Lead Practitioner for Science for our trust. 

This exciting role will be critical in helping shape and develop the science education for over 30,000 pupils in the trust. Leading the science lead practitioners, your role will focus on strengthening the science curriculum across all of our academies, overseeing and directing the creation of a curriculum which will improve attainment and progress across all Key Stages, drawing from best practice internally and externally. You will also be critical in shaping the direction of training for subject leadership development all the way through to ITT curriculum. 

The support you offer our leaders and teachers will be vital in ensuring that all of our schools achieve the same successes.  Joining a school improvement team led by a National Director, you will use your passion, subject knowledge and expertise in science to drive forward the quality of the curriculum and teaching and learning. You will model great practice through a partial teaching timetable in a school (likely one GCSE class) within approximately 20 miles of your home (your base school), but you will also lead a team of lead practitioners who travel to academies across the country to coach and lead others. This in an exciting role that requires flexibility, a team spirit, and a continued willingness to learn.

This is the most senior strategic role in science across one of the largest trusts in the country. As such, our expectations are high. We need someone with great impact and influence, with great vision but also the ability to make it a reality. You will need confidence without grand ego and we need moral purpose in spades. We are aiming to ensure that all our schools show strong progress in maths so that students can progress onto further study, university or employment of their choice. We aim to ensure all our early career teachers get the very best start to their teaching career in science and that teachers across our trust are engaged and energised at every step of their career pathways.

About you:

The successful candidate will:

• be a brilliant teacher with a proven track record of securing sustained excellent outcomes, regardless of prior ability, disadvantage or SEND.
• have experience of working across phases and curriculum development in at least KS3 and 4.
• have up-to-date knowledge of subject curricula and assessment requirements
• be proficient in teaching science to A Level
• have proven experience of identifying and implementing effective strategies for improving attainment in science in challenging schools.
• have a strong interest in primary delivery and curriculum.
• Experience of understanding departmental reviews, well versed in all aspects of the Ofsted framework, not just quality of education.
• Love enrichment and opportunities to use science to develop character.
• Sees SMSC education as an opportunity and not a bolt on.
• have a highly effective style that is both consultative and influential
• be able to demonstrate resilience, motivation and commitment to driving up standards of achievement
• be able to work across a group of schools and show significant impact in developing capacity and improving outcomes for young people

In return, we offer great career prospects in a supportive environment, commitment to your continued professional development, pension, health cash plan and other generous staff discounts.

Please note, this position is advertised as a central Head Office role but can be based within 20 miles of any of our academies. The closest to you will be your base school.

How to apply:

To apply, please submit your completed application and supporting statement by 12 noon on the 4th May 2021.

For an informal discussion about the role, or if you have any additional queries, please contact the National Director for OAT Teaching and Training, Tuesday Humby at tuesday.humby@ormistonacademies.co.uk

OAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and the expectation is that all staff will share this commitment. Therefore, the successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check with barred list check (child) via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).