West Buckland School
Location
Devon | United Kingdom
Job description
The Science Departments
Our Science Departments sit as independent subject area facilities, each with a department head and specialist support from a technician. The departments have purpose‐built laboratories with projection and wi-fi access. All students have been issued with devices which support collaborative and external delivery. Laboratories are well equipped and practical work features strongly in the schemes of work for all year groups. There are currently 10 teaching staff working across the three departments.
The Appointment
The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic teacher of science who is capable of motivating students and working collaboratively across one or more subject departments. The successful candidate should be able to teach at least one of the three science subjects to A-level and teach either of other two sciences to GCSE standard.
In Years 7 and 8 the Activate courses form the basis of the schemes of work across all three science subjects and encourages the independent thinking and learning skills which are crucial for GCSE specifications.
At GCSE, the school prepares candidates for the AQA specifications in each separate science, with the vast majority of students taking the higher tier papers. For the first time from September 2024, the school will be running a single award science class.
A very healthy number of students continue sciences to A-Level and these are among the most popular A-levels within the school; many alumni have studied science degrees at university. Students follow the OCR Chemistry A specification, Biology and Physics follow AQA specifications. We also offer BTEC Applied Science which has produced excellent results, and the ability to offer an aspect of this course would be an advantage.
Departmental Responsibilities
• You will have strong subject knowledge and be comfortable with preparing students for public examinations. A willingness to engage with new curricula is a definite advantage.
• You will have high standards. This will be evident in both the standards that you set for the students, and in your own professional practice.
• To be open in sharing your professional practice – a feature of the department is the easy trust colleagues have in each other, and we frequently see each other's lessons.
• You will adapt your teaching to the individual needs of learners. This will address the aspirations of our best students; take into account both SEN and EAL needs, all whilst being an accessible, admirable role model.
• You will play your part in the overall education of West Buckland students through a personal commitment to life-long learning and education beyond the classroom.
• You will be an active, collegiate member of one or more of our science departments, contributing to the departmental development plans and, through this, to the school’s overall development.
General Responsibilities
• Tutoring a group of pupils from an academic and pastoral perspective.
• Contribution to our broad extra-curricular (ECA) programme at lunch times and after school.
• The possible opportunity to teach another subject, for example, careers, PHSE or EPQ.
West Buckland School enables all Newly Qualified Teachers to participate in the Independent Schools Teacher Induction Panel (IStip) induction arrangements which are recognised by the government for entry into the teaching profession in both the maintained and the independent sector.
Candidates invited for interview will have an opportunity to meet other members of staff and to see the school at work. Candidates will be required to teach a lesson whilst being observed. Details of this will be discussed with the candidates some days beforehand. There will be a series of interviews with the Head and other members of the Senior Leadership Team and the Heads of Departments. The details of West Buckland School’s own salary scale can be discussed at interview.
Hours of work
This is a full-time appointment. The school operates Monday to Friday between the hours of 08:30am and 5:00pm as dictated by the school calendar. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the wider life of the school and its community; this will be discussed at interview.
In addition to a competitive salary, we provide free parking, daily lunch and access to our outstanding sports facilities.
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