Teacher of Physics (VN066)

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 physics to join our school, a school of great character.

For September 2024, Exeter School seeks an enthusiastic, well-qualified physics graduate to join this strong department. This 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 physics department is passionate about physics and aims to inspire pupils to study physics at A Level and then on to physics-related subjects at university. This is achieved through a positive and supportive environment, engaging pupils with the subject and enhancing our classroom provision with a programme of extra-curricular activities. The aim is to academically stretch those pupils who are keen to follow a physics-related path in the future and fully supporting pupils who may only wish to study physics up to GCSE.

 The physics department is staffed by five full-time and two part-time specialist physics teachers. Practical work, which is central to the department, is very well facilitated by three science technicians in conjunction with a chief science technician. The department itself is situated within the science centre which provides specialist accommodation for the three sciences, electronics and computer science. The physics department consists of four laboratories and two preparation rooms.

 In terms of public examinations, results are strong with 36% A* and 86% A* to B at A Level in summer 2023. Most pupils take separate sciences at IGCSE and, in summer 2023, 35% achieved grade 9s and 95% achieved grades 9-7. In the same year, the double award cohort obtained 51% 9-7.

A Level physics is a very popular course in school and there are currently seven sets across the sixth form. The department offers the AQA Physics specification. The vast majority of pupils continue to university, with a significant number going on to study physics or engineering at universities including Oxford and Cambridge. Increasingly, pupils also apply for degree apprenticeships. The Edexcel IGCSE specification is delivered in years 9 to 11. All pupils study either separate IGCSEs in biology, chemistry and physics or IGCSE Double Award Science. In both cases, pupils receive three periods of physics per week. At Key Stage 3, the course is designed by the department and aims to provide enhanced coverage of the National Curriculum with pupils in years 7 and 8 receiving one double lesson per week. Finally, the department provides specialist physics teaching for pupils in year 6 at Exeter Junior School. 

The department offers an extensive range of extra-curricular activities for pupils, ranging from a Year 7 STEM Club to Science Society with talks for older years. There are weekly physics extension sessions for the sixth form and many pupils take part in the Intermediate Challenge, Senior Challenge and Physics Olympiad competitions. Pupils also have opportunities such as planetarium dome shows, CanSat and trips such as the South West IOP Festival of Physics, GCSE Science Live, Hinkley Point, the Norman Lockyer Observatory and recently a sixth form trip to CERN. The department also has two telescopes and is developing its astronomy and astrophysics society.

Exeter School is currently the hub school for the Exeter and East Devon Ogden Physics Partnership; a group of eight schools aiming to promote physics within the region. Sixth form pupils also run masterclasses for local primary schools as part of the Royal Institution Masterclass programme.

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