Teacher of Chemistry (VN067)

Exeter School is the leading co-educational day school in the Southwest, educating over 1,000 pupils aged 3-18. We are looking to appoint a teacher of chemistry to join our school, a school of great character.

For September 2024, Exeter School seeks an inspirational and experienced teacher of chemistry. This represents a great opportunity to become an integral part of this thriving department. The position would be equally suited to either a newly qualified or a more experienced applicant. The applicant should be keen to contribute to the broader life of the school through cultural, sporting or other extra-curricular activities. Due to strengths and specialisms within the department, we have the potential to recruit a specialist physicist or chemist for September. We will therefore be interviewing both these roles for a single post on the same day.

The department aims to make the study of chemistry an enjoyable and worthwhile experience, enabling pupils to develop an interest in, and understanding of, its application in the world in which we live. The department consists of four full-time and one part-time subject-specialist teachers with the support of the equivalent of one full-time technician in conjunction with a chief science technician. The chemistry department is situated within the science centre which provides specialist accommodation for the three separate sciences, electronics and computer science. The department consists of four dedicated laboratories and a preparation room. Each laboratory is well equipped with apparatus and fume cupboards with additional, more specialist equipment from the preparation room. In addition, all laboratories have data projectors and Apple TV. Schemes of work make extensive use of departmental resources from the school intranet.

In terms of public examination results this is a very successful department with grades in the 2023 A Level being 66% A*-A and 79% A*-B. For the 2023 IGCSE, pupils achieved 80% of grades at 9-7 and 100% passes. The department is committed to delivering a range of practical work, offers an extensive range of extra-curricular activities for the pupils such as the Chemistry Olympiad and Salter’s Festival of Chemistry.

The department provides specialist subject teaching for pupils in Year 6 at Exeter Junior School as well as for pupils in Years 7 and 8 who receive one double lesson per week. The courses followed are designed by the department and aim to provide an enhanced coverage of the National Curriculum. The Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) course commences in Year 9, with Years 9, 10 and 11 all receiving 3 lessons per week. Pupils are set within science at the end of Year 9, with approximately three-quarters of a given year group targeted towards the separate science IGCSEs in biology, chemistry and physics and the remainder towards IGCSE Double Award Science. Chemistry is a very popular A Level within the school and the department delivers the AQA specification. This year there are currently three sets in the Lower Sixth (about 30 pupils) and three in the Upper Sixth (about 30 pupils).

The closing date for applications is Monday 22 April 2024, 9.00am. We anticipate that interviews will be held Friday 26 April 2024.

The role will attract a competitive salary as well as generous benefits including employer pension contribution, free school lunch during term time, free on-site parking, discretionary staff discount on school fees and use of indoor swimming pool and fitness suite. 

Exeter School is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from any appropriately qualified person. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Employment is subject to the receipt of two satisfactory references provided specifically for this post and addressed to the school, and to satisfactory DBS clearance. 

This post falls into the category of Regulated Activity. Exeter School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service