Teacher of Physics

The Portsmouth Grammar School is a leading co-educational school located in the historic heart of Portsmouth. The school is an IB World School and offers the IB Diploma alongside A Level.

This vacancy represents an outstanding opportunity for a well-qualified graduate in Physics  to teach in a key department in this excellent school, which is renowned for its scientific tradition.

Applications are invited for this full-time post, to start from September 2019.  The ability to teach Physics A Level and to the IB is essential although prior experience of the IB is not required.  

The school seeks a subject specialist, who inspires young people with their passion for Physics and for teaching, and ensures all pupils reach their full potential.  Applications are invited from all those who meet the above criteria, whether they are newly qualified, or more experienced teachers or have yet to commence teacher training.  

This is a full time vacancy but applications from candidates who can offer a part-time role of at least 0.7 FTE will also be considered. Please indicate clearly in your application whether you are interested in a full or part-time position.

The opportunity to teach some Electronics or Computer Science at A Level and / or Mathematics throughout the senior school could also be offered to a suitably qualified candidate, although the ability to teach these subjects is not a pre-requisite for this appointment.

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.  

The Physics Department is well resourced with laboratories and staff.  In addition to the Head of Department, there are seven full time teachers and two laboratory technicians.  The department has six full-sized laboratories and access to a large Science Lecture Theatre, all located in the state of the art Bristow Clavell Science Centre, opened in September 2010.

The Physics Department takes a lead in promoting science to the wider community through outreach work in local schools.  Links with local STEM companies are well developed with an annual Lockheed Martin engineering challenge, BAe Systems Schools’ Engineering Challenge, strong links with both the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation and the Radiography Department at the University of Portsmouth and regular visits to Airbus Defence & Space and RAL.  Physics teachers run a number of clubs, including Astronomy and Electronics, and there are opportunities to introduce significant stretch and challenge for all year groups.  There is also close co-operation with the Science Department in our thriving Junior School. 

Physics is taught as a separate subject from Year 9 to Year 13.  All Year 7 and 8 pupils study a balanced science programme consisting of five periods of Physical Science (combined Physics and Chemistry) a fortnight, with three separate periods of Biology.  Practical work at all levels is an integral part of lessons and the department is very well resourced, with a wide range of facilities including Picoscopes, a suite of laptops with extensive PASCO data loggers and interactive projection facilities in all labs.  

In Years 10 and 11 pupils are taught science subjects in three ability bands.  Currently all upper and middle band pupils are entered for AQA GCSE in Physics and lower band for Combined Science: Trilogy. Physics specialists teach all KS4 Physics classes.  

Over 50 pupils opt to take either A Level or IB (Higher or Standard Level) Physics, making the subject one of the most popular in the school.  The Physics Department offers the OCR A specification at A Level.  Results, both at GCSE and A Level, are very strong, even within the context of a first rate academic school.  In a normal year between 10-12 pupils also take the Electronics Eduqas A Level.  Half of pupils leaving PGS in Year 13 go on to study a science-related course at university including Engineering.  A number of pupils go on to Oxbridge success in Engineering and Natural Sciences.  PGS has participated in the Physics Olympiad since its inception and pupils routinely receive medals in this national competition.  In short, PGS is a leading science school.

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.