Subject Lead: Chemistry

We are looking for a qualified teacher with subject leadership experience to join Chobham Academy as Subject Leader of Chemistry.

You will join an open and supportive team in establishing outstanding provision within Chemistry. This will include all programmes, systems and structures taking account of the academy’s vision and values leading to outstanding teaching and learning.

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
• A constant dialogue about workload and how to manage it most effectively. 
• 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
• 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

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 day off in the summer term for 99% attendance
• 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

Main Areas of Responsibility

The main responsibilities of your role will be:

• To establish outstanding provision within the subject area. This to include all programmes, systems and structures taking account of the academy’s vision and values leading to outstanding teaching and learning.
• To be accountable for student progress and development in the subject area across KS3, KS4 and Sixth form, including meeting student achievement targets for subject areas which are agreed by the Principal and the Governing Body.
• To ensure high standards of teaching and learning across the subject area through continuously, developing and enhancing the quality of teaching and learning.
• To ensure the provision of an appropriately engaging, relevant and differentiated curriculum for students in the subject area, in accordance with the academy aims and policies, as determined by the Principal and Governing Body.
• To ensure that all school policies and procedures are implemented and applied consistently by all colleagues in the subject area.
• To effectively and efficiently manage and deploy teaching/support staff, financial and physical resources across the subject area, with the support and working alongside the MLG/ALG.
• To lead development for literacy, within subject areas, to raise standards of Literacy across the Academy.

Qualifications & Experience

The successful candidate will:

• Hold QTS (or equivalent) and a relevant undergraduate degree, and, ideally, further qualifications and evidence of continuous self-development and updated knowledge in relevant areas
• Have a minimum of three years' teaching experience, ideally including KS5 and in multi-ethnic urban schools
• Understand the theory and practice of effective teaching and learning
• Have knowledge of National Curriculum requirements at KS3, KS4, and KS5
• Have experience of delivering high quality INSET to teaching staff within subject area, and of using coaching as a model for ensuring ongoing professional development
• Ideally, be able to show evidence of leading, supporting and managing others, both individuals and teams, ensuring high quality performance
• Be able to prove their success in raising achievement as a subject leader or classroom practitioner
• Have successful experience of processes of monitoring, evaluation and review that provide performance data that can be used to improve the quality of teaching and learning
• Have a good level of ICT skills and experience of how new technologies can be used to raise achievement
• Have recent experience of involvement in innovative curriculum development
• Have ideas of how Language, Literacy and Numeracy can be used across the curriculum to raise standards
• Have experience of embedding innovative strategies for improving teaching and learning and of managing and implementing change successfully

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.

In addition to the opportunities for career progression, training and development, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants. Before applying, please review our Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.