Teacher of Physics from September 2022
Sevenoaks School
Sevenoaks, Kent
- Expired
- Salary:
- Sevenoaks has its own attractive salary scale
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Apply by:
- 2 February 2022
Job overview
The Post
The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic and well-qualified graduate who will contribute to the development of Physics at Sevenoaks and be capable of stretching and inspiring motivated students, instilling a passion for the subject. The post involves teaching Physics across the year groups and ability ranges. We would welcome applications from experienced teachers or teachers new to the profession. A commitment to excellent pastoral care, enriching co-curricular activities and outreach activities is also expected.
The Physics Department
The Physics department forms a key part of the Science and Technology faculty. There are eight full-time physicists in the department, who are well-served by three very knowledgeable and helpful technicians. The department has six main laboratories, a data-logging suite and preparation room, all within the new Science & Technology Centre. The laboratories have been designed and built to a very high standard, each with its own interactive screen, and other teaching aids. The department is well-equipped, with a large amount of laboratory apparatus and data-logging equipment, sufficient to carry out a wide range of practical investigations.
Sevenoaks is virtually unique in the UK in that all 1168 students study at least one science for the entirety of their secondary education – all three to Year 11 and at least one in the Sixth Form. Lower School pupils study Physics from a concept-based course, Middle School pupils follow the IGCSE Physics programme and, in the Sixth Form, pupils can take IB Physics at either Higher or Standard Level.
Throughout the School, emphasis is placed on experimental aspects of Physics and on the development of each pupil’s conceptual understanding. The pupils undertake a variety of experimental work, in addition to computer simulations and demonstrations.
The IGCSE results have been excellent over the last few years with nearly all pupils gaining either grades 7-9. The results at IB are also very good with up to 75% gaining grade 6 or top grade 7 at Higher Level, and 65% at Standard Level achieving those grades. 30 or so Year 11 pupils gain awards in the Physics Olympiad Challenge and the most able Higher Level students enjoy success at the Olympiad level. Typically, 65 students study Higher Level Physics each year, of which around 40% go on to study Physics, Natural Sciences or Engineering at university, and a further 30 study Standard Level Physics.
The department is also keen on offering experiences beyond the curriculum to broaden the pupils’ understanding of Physics in the wider world, such as an IB trip to CERN, a Year 9 trip to Florida and even a Year 7 virtual reality trip to the International Space Station. During the past year, pupils have also taken part in safe-cracking competitions, space-design challenges, local science conferences and many more workshops and special events.
For further details please see the attached job description
For more information and how to apply, please visit our school website via the button below.
Applications should be submitted by midday on Wednesday 03 February 2022.
Sevenoaks School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants will undergo appropriate child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Registered Charity No.1101358. For further details please see the attached job description
Attached documents
About Sevenoaks School
Founded in 1432, Sevenoaks enjoys a global reputation as a centre of academic excellence and a flagship school for the International Baccalaureate. A co-educational day and boarding school, it offers a stimulating, intellectually demanding and balanced education for over 1200 students from ages 11 to 18.
Sevenoaks is one of the world’s leading IB schools, having taught the International Baccalaureate for over 40 years. For nearly 20 years, all Sixth Form students have taken the full IB Diploma with consistently outstanding academic results which are testament to the school’s experience and commitment to the programme.
Sevenoaks is the top large-cohort IB school in the UK and among the top five globally. In recent years it has been the second highest achieving large-cohort IB school in the world. Sevenoaks is also the top fully co-ed all-IB boarding school in the UK, according to Best Schools (Education Advisers Ltd). The Sunday Times named Sevenoaks School Co-educational Independent Secondary School of the Year in 2023.
The school is one of the largest employers in the local area, employing staff in a wide variety of roles, and aiming to be an employer of choice for top staff from around the world. We offer our staff a competitive range of benefits and are in the process of developing a range of progressive employment policies and opportunities for personal and professional development. All Sevenoaks staff are encouraged to enjoy facilities such as our sports centre and pool, attend performances at our performing arts centre, and get involved in service activities within the local community. We strive to promote the positive mental and physical health of all staff, and are committed to ensuring that equality, diversity and inclusion are at the very heart of our culture and community. We believe every member of the school community should feel welcomed, included and valued.
Teaching at Sevenoaks:
Teaching here is immensely rewarding: we work in high-performing teams towards a shared endeavour. Everyone appointed to teach at Sevenoaks School is expected to engage actively in all aspects of our broad and well-rounded education.
We want all our pupils to enjoy their subjects, to be inspired by their teachers and to become independent, lifelong learners. Teachers are enthusiastic and well-qualified graduates. We have an exceptionally lively, talented and committed staff body. We welcome applications from experienced teachers and newly-qualified teachers, but can also provide training including PGCE for those joining the profession at whatever stage. All new staff undertake a comprehensive induction programme. Sevenoaks is committed to supporting its staff with training and professional development tailored to staff needs and interests.
All teachers are involved in proactive pastoral care. All teachers participate in the co-curriculum and, as our outreach activities expand, contribute to our work with local pupils and schools. Teachers at Sevenoaks are innovative and forward-thinking many are involved in the Institutes of Teaching and Learning, Higher Education and Professional Insight, and Service and Partnerships, shaping further development and initiatives for students and staff alike.
What people say about us:
‘Tough for any university not to be an anti-climax after Sevenoaks.’ Good Schools Guide.
The International Baccalaureate
All new staff undertake a comprehensive induction programme. No previous experience of teaching the International Baccalaureate, which we have taught since 1978, is necessary; gaining experience of teaching the IB, an internationally recognised qualification which we believe offers outstanding preparation for university and beyond, is stimulating and undoubtedly a valuable career asset. Information about the IB can be found on the website www.ibo.org.
Please note that you are wholly responsible for fact checking in respect of the information provided by schools. Please also check for the latest visa and work permit requirements that may apply. Tes is not responsible for the content of advertisements or the policies adopted by advertising schools. Tes asks that all schools follow Tes' Fair Recruitment Policy.