Teacher of science (chemistry or Physics Specialism) and Key Stage 4 Coordinator

Abbey College – Science Department 

Details for applicants

 Who are we?

The Science Department is a successful, forward thinking and friendly team, comprising of nine well qualified specialist practitioners and two highly skilled and supportive technicians.  As a department, we are passionate about embedding Science Capital and Careers into the curriculum.  Our teaching staff consistently resource wider reading opportunities to share with students, to ensure that Science is a subject with context and relevance.  Our students follow the three-year AQA course at GCSE and our KS5 students study A-levels in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, as well as Level 3 BTEC in Applied Science.  

 Would you like to visit us?

Informal visits are welcomed. We are not as far away as you think and driving through the countryside each morning is a very pleasant way to start you day! You’ll find us just 20 minutes from Peterborough and Huntingdon, and commutable from Cambridge too. Why not come and visit us so we can show you more of our school and our Science department? 

 What do I do if I want to know more before applying?

You are very welcome to come and visit our wonderful school, please just let us know and we will arrange a tour of the department and wider school.  More information is available on our website. However, if you have any further questions, please contact Jane Warne, Assistant Head Teacher i/c Science.

We look forward to meeting you and receiving your application.www.abbeycollege.cambs.sch.uk

Job Description: 

Teacher and Learning:

• Good or outstanding classroom practitioner
• Ability to use assessment to inform planning and departmental strategies 
• Driver of curriculum initiatives
• Ability to differentiate materials to meet the needs of learners
• Experience or desire to raise standards and achievements
• Willingness to continue to develop own expertise
• Ability to build good relationships with students and colleagues
• Be well organised and able to maintain accurate records
• Ability to use ICT effectively to engage students
• Take a lead role in supporting the science leader in developing the Key Stage 4 curriculum.
• Keep up to date with national developments that will affect Science at Key Stage 4 in the future. 
• Ensure Schemes of Work for Key Stage 4 are developed, updated and ready to be taught.
• Provide guidance to teachers on the choice of appropriate teaching and learning methods for lessons, as required. 
• Ensure that there is effective communication with parents and carers by providing them with curriculum plans, as directed by the science leader.
• Monitor, evaluate and support the overall development of the curriculum at Key Stage 4 

Leading and Line Managing staff:

• Disseminate information regarding developments in the Key Stage 4 curriculum to other teachers in the department.
• In partnership with the science leader, lead teachers in the department to contribute to the development of resources.
• Support the science leader in auditing and identifying staff development needs and draw up a plan of professional development to enable all teachers, who teach at Key Stage 4, to have the appropriate skills to teach effectively. 
• Contribute to the professional development needs of other teachers in the department as identified. 

Person Specification

Skills and abilities:

• Able to manage people effectively, set high standards, to administer efficiently, to work collaboratively and to give leadership to colleagues 
• Confident use of ICT with the ability to use it to enhance pupil learning in the classroom 
• Able to use assessment for learning and assessment data to raise standards of achievement in groups of learners 
• Able to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people, including pupils, parents and colleagues 
• Ability to be a committed and effective Form Tutor 
• Personal qualities:
• Enthusiastic and committed to the teaching of Physics or Chemistry 
• Creative in problem solving together with a willingness to take on new approaches and ideas 
• A positive attitude towards continuing professional development and their own learning with ambition for further development and promotion 
• A positive, “can do” approach to cope with the challenges ahead 
• Reliability and integrity 
• Professionally ambitious 
• Willingness to provide extra-curricular activities that extend pupils’ experience and to contribute to the wider life of the School 
• Committed to the welfare and safeguarding of young people 
• Humble, Intuitive and Passionate

Wellbeing

• Ensure all pupils have equal access to learning using appropriate strategies and resources, where necessary. 
• Liaise with pastoral staff members to ensure the wellbeing of pupils and their full participation in school life. 
• Raise any concerns regarding pupils’ behaviour with the relevant Raising Standards Lead.
• Implement any specific arrangements for individual pupils, ensuring that relevant staff members are aware of the measures in place. 
• Provide individual pastoral support to pupils, where necessary.
• Continuously motivate and challenge pupils, whilst promoting and reinforcing self-esteem.

Safeguarding

• To have the ability to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
• Appreciate the significance of safeguarding and interprets this accurately for all individual children and young people whatever their life circumstances.
• To have a good understanding of the safeguarding agenda and can demonstrate an ability to contribute towards a safe environment.
• The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice and information in accurate spoken English is essential for the post. 

Variation Clause

This job description will be reviewed and updated periodically in order to ensure that it relates to the job performed or to incorporate any proposed changes.  This procedure will be conducted by the Headteacher or line manager in consultation with the post-holder.  In these circumstances it will be the aim to reach agreement on reasonable changes but if agreement is not possible management reserves the right to make changes to the job description following consultation.