Teacher of Chemistry

The Portsmouth Grammar School is a leading co-educational school located in the historic heart of Portsmouth. It values the development of the whole person, placing emphasis on both academic achievement and co-curricular involvement. 

The school seeks to appoint a full-time teacher of Chemistry from April or September 2020. 

In addition to teaching Chemistry throughout the Senior School, the opportunity to teach some Biology or Physics at Key Stage 3 or Mathematics to GCSE may also be available for a suitably qualified candidate. 

Outstanding teaching and learning at PGS are achieved by inspirational and creative teachers with excellent subject knowledge and the ability to use ICT and interactive resources to enhance learning.  Teachers’ planning is informed by assessment for learning, ensuring all pupils make very good progress in each lesson.  Our pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning and understand how they can improve using constructive feedback provided by their teachers. 

The school offers excellent training and support to teachers at all stages of their career. PGS teachers convey passion for their subject and seek to maximise progress by knowing their pupils well and adapting their teaching accordingly. We are always looking to develop new ideas and approaches to teaching and are keen to incorporate the particular interests of new members of staff into the overall curriculum scheme.

The school welcomes applications from well qualified candidates, whether they are newly qualified, or more experienced teachers or have yet to commence teacher training.  

PGS is an IB world school and has offered the IB since 2009, with consistently excellent results. Due to reduced levels of uptake among our pupils, 2020 will be the last year in which pupils may embark upon the IB Diploma at PGS. From September 2020, an exciting new A Level enrichment programme will be offered, which places emphasis on academic breadth and challenge, personal development, community workplace experience and leadership.

The successful applicant will be expected to contribute fully to the pastoral and co-curricular life of the school.  The school provides excellent professional development opportunities and has an outstanding reputation for induction of newly qualified teachers.

PGS is renowned for its scientific tradition, and the department is located in a state of the art Science Centre. The Chemistry Department is well resourced with laboratories and staff.  In addition to the Head of Department, there are five full time teachers, two laboratory technicians and a laboratory assistant.  The department has five full-sized laboratories and access to a large Science lecture theatre; there is also a suite of iPads available.  

The department benefits from excellent ICT and scientific equipment and chemicals.  Practical work is well developed, and creative experimental work is an expectation at all levels.  There is good access to a wide range of software and other ICT resources to assist in teaching and learning.  All the laboratories have a dedicated computer linked to an interactive whiteboard as well as an additional LCD projector.  The department has fast wireless internet access and excellent data logging facilities including a class set of wireless spectrometers that link to pupils’ iPads. Also, there is an FTIR spectrometer available to pupils.  

Technology, and particularly the use of iPads and other tablets, is increasingly becoming embedded in day-to-day teaching; all Year 9-13 pupils bring an iPad to lessons, so candidates with knowledge of these technologies will be desirable.  

At all levels of the school, Chemistry is taught by Chemistry specialists and as a separate subject within the Science Department.  Teachers are expected to differentiate and assess appropriately, and use a variety of teaching and learning styles to maximise pupil progress. All Year 7 and 8 pupils study a balanced Science programme, consisting of a combined Physical Science (Physics and Chemistry) course and Biology.  KS3 Biology largely follows the AQA National Curriculum Syllabus. All Year 9 pupils begin study of their Science GCSEs; in Years 10 and 11 pupils are separated into three ability bands leading to awards in either Combined Science or Triple Sciences. GCSE Science is currently taught to the AQA specification.

The Department currently has 8 A Level teaching sets.  It also has three IB sets:  one Higher Level and the others Standard level, in both Year 12 and Year 13.  In total 116 pupils are studying Chemistry in Year 11 at GCSE with the remainder studying Combined Science. Both groups using the AQA specifications.

Results, both at GCSE, the IB and A Level, are very strong, even within the context of a first rate academic school.  Half of pupils leaving PGS in Year 13 go on to study a Science-related course at university, and Medicine is one of the most popular university courses.  A number of pupils go on to Oxbridge success in Medicine and Natural Sciences. There is also a record of success in competitions such as the Chemistry Olympiad.  The school has also hosted the regional Top of the Bench competition for the last eight years.  

The successful applicant will be expected to contribute fully to the pastoral and co-curricular life of the school.  The school provides excellent professional development opportunities and has an outstanding reputation for induction of newly qualified teachers.

PGS is committed to safeguarding children and the successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure DBS check. 

Benefits:

The school is a strong supporter of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and its INSET programme provides staff with many personal development opportunities. Examples of school support include financial support for further education such as Masters Degrees.

Governors annually allow up to three staff to take a half term sabbatical on full-pay in the summer term, with most expenses of the sabbatical covered.  The aim of sabbaticals is to develop further professional expertise and also to provide an opportunity for staff to reflect on other aspects of their teaching.  Sabbaticals are normally based in the UK but may also be overseas. 

Key financial benefits of employment at PGS include a generous salary structure supplemented by payment of an additional PGS Allowance.  There are many opportunities to take on additional paid responsibilities to assist in the management and operation of the school.  The school participates in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.

The school also has a generous fee concession for the children of teaching staff.  The school supports the Cycle to Work scheme and all members of staff have free use of the school’s sports facilities which include a well-equipped Fitness Centre. A two course lunch is provided to all staff during term, with a full evening meal provided before all parents evenings. 

For candidates who would relocate to take up this position, the school may be able to offer subsidised rental accommodation in Old Portsmouth on a temporary basis. Please state in your application if this is of interest to you.