Head of Physics - Candidate Brief

Head of Physics

Candidate Brief

Head of Physics

stephenperse.com/currentvacancies

History of the Stephen Perse Foundation

Formerly the Perse Girls School, founded in 1881, the Foundation developed to become the Stephen Perse Foundation in 2007, and first admitted boys into the Senior School in 2017. The Foundation has grown over recent years, adding a co-educational sixth form to its highly successful Senior School in 2008, and four nurseries and early years settings (three in Cambridge and one at Dame Bradbury’s in Saffron Walden) between 2010 and 2021. The Foundation has been fully co-educational in all settings since 2017 and now comprises four nurseries, two junior schools, a senior school and sixth form.

Predominantly a day school, there are currently 65 (mainly sixth form) boarders. As well as its reputation for academic excellence, the Stephen Perse Foundation is renowned for an innovative approach to education, and a focus on preparing students for the future.

Our Mission Statement

At the Stephen Perse Foundation, our mission is to educate and inspire the contributors to tomorrow’s world: intelligent young people with the creativity, compassion, confidence and conviction to question, evaluate and improve society.

Our Vision Statement

To deliver this mission, our vision is to create and sustain an outstanding educational environment that:

• Fosters modern scholarship through exceptional teaching and a dynamic, flexible and rigorous academic curriculum.

• Provides outstanding breadth of opportunity and quality of experience through a rich and varied co-curriculum.

• Nurtures and celebrates individuality, wellbeing, personal development, and contribution to the growth of others, through superb pastoral care, social and emotional education, and learning support.

• Champions and models equality, diversity and inclusivity, and social and environmental responsibility with a global outlook.

Our Values Statement

With excellence and creativity in teaching and learning at the core of each of our schools and nurseries, we value the positive difference our students can make in the world through:

• Scholarship and the advancement of knowledge and understanding.

• Kindness, courtesy, inclusivity and collaboration.

• Diligence, independence and self-reliance.

• Humility, reflectiveness and the pursuit of self-improvement.

• Character, individuality, wellbeing and confidence.

• Conserving the environment and living sustainably.

Head of Physics

Accountable to: Head of Science, Deputy Head Academic (11-18)

Location: Senior School and Sixth Form

Role Description

To take responsibility for the leadership and management of the Physics department, and support the Head, the 11-18 Senior Leadership Team and the Head of Science in the strategic development, leadership and management of the academic life of the Senior School and Sixth Form as an active member of middle leadership.

Background

We are looking to appoint an outstanding, inspirational and committed leader to join our Science department and lead the Physics department. The successful candidate will have excellent subject knowledge and be able to teach Physics across the age and ability range, up to and including A Level and university preparation.

Science is the largest faculty in the school. It is a friendly, vibrant group of dedicated teachers and technicians who inspire our students with the possibilities and challenges of science, and who guide them to success at all levels in the school. There are Heads of Department for each of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, reporting to a Head of Science; a number of staff teach across two science disciplines based on their background and timetable needs. Separate Biology, Chemistry and Physics classes are taught through all key stages. The department follows the AQA scheme of work at KS3 and then Edexcel GCSE Science from Year 9, with students choosing Triple Science or Combined Science at the start of Year 10. There is also a large cohort of science students at the Sixth Form studying A Level Physics. The Physics department follows the OCR A Physics course at A Level.

Specific Responsibilities

Teaching and learning

• Lead the development of teaching and learning in the department.

• Coordinate lesson observations/work scrutiny within the department.

• Coordinate with the Head of Biology and Head of Chemistry to identify students in need of support, organise support sessions and ensure consistency is maintained across the three departments.

• Ensure that assessment of students is regular, appropriate and thorough and that departmental and whole school policies are followed for reporting and recording the progress and attainment of students.

• Liaise with the Deputy Head Exams, Assessment and Data to ensure the process for data collection is reliable, valid and appropriate for effective student tracking.

• Review internal and external examination results.

• Analyse benchmark test results and the use of tracking data to inform teaching and learning.

• Deal with disciplinary problems that may arise and liaise with Heads of Year and parents as appropriate in relation to any classroom management concerns within the department.

• Oversee the development and implementation of policy and practice in ensuring effective learning environments, including the presentation and management of classroom and other teaching spaces, displays.

• Support the Deputy Head Academic (DHA), as required, on whole-school teaching and learning initiatives, including initiatives to ensure effective differentiation, support, enrichment and stretch.

Curriculum design and delivery

• Support the DHA with the ongoing monitoring and review of the curriculum.

• Contribute to the wider management of the school, including by taking responsibility for relevant components of the 11-18 academic development plan, as required.

• Plan, implement and review the curriculum from Year 7 to Sixth Form within the school policy framework.

• Coordinate with the Head of Science and the Junior Schools to ensure a suitable transition between the two parts of the Foundation around the Year 6 - Year 7 transition point.

• Support the Deputy Head Co-Curricular and DHA with developing and implementing an outstanding programme of academic co-curricular activities across the department.

Staff training and development

• Support the DHA to review, devise and implement, as required, academic and pedagogical induction and support for new staff, and INSET and CPD for all 11-18 teaching staff.

• Make sure that departmental INSET/ CPD is appropriately planned and delivered.

• Develop approaches to teaching and learning within the department to ensure that suitable differentiation across the ability range is embedded within classroom practice.

• Undertake lesson observations, appraisals, and performance management processes, as appropriate, to support the professional development of members of the department.

General Administration

• Produce and update annually a department handbook including departmental policies and schemes of work.

• Prepare an annual budget for resources, equipment and other teaching materials.

• Organise and check public examination entries with the Examinations Officer.

• Ensure that stock and equipment are stored, cared for and used appropriately.

• Advise on the deployment of staff and the allocation of curriculum time for the construction of the timetable.

• Communicate with members of the department as needed including in regular minuted departmental meetings.

Library and learning resources

• Contribute to the development of the 11-18 library and learning resources strategy, with particular regard to resources required by the department to support student learning and engagement.

• Promote the effective use of the library and learning resources among pupils and colleagues.

Other responsibilities

• Attend and participate in Head of Department meetings.

• Support the charitable aims of the school by ensuring an effective contribution to partnership work across the department; forge links with the community locally, nationally and internationally, where appropriate.

• Contribute to the safe and effective running of the school site through duty rotas, as required.

• Contribute to the admissions process for students, as required.

• Contribute to marketing and communications processes, as required.

• Contribute to the recruitment of teaching and other staff, as required.

General Responsibilities

• Act as an excellent ambassador for Stephen Perse at all times.

• Undertake other duties as agreed with the leadership team.

• Build and maintain good working relationships with all Stephen Perse colleagues.

• Assist as necessary in other Stephen Perse areas at peak times.

• Work at all times towards the aims and goals of Stephen Perse and any individual objectives and targets you may have agreed to.

• Proactively identify areas for improvements within Stephen Perse.

• Actively promote the Stephen Perse Equality & Diversity Policy, encouraging staff awareness and participation in all areas.

• Act in accordance with the Data Protection principles at all times.

• Adhere at all times to Stephen Perse Operational and Employment policies and procedures.

• Take care of your own health and safety and that of people who may be affected by what you do (or do not do).

• Cooperate with others on health and safety, and not interfere with, or misuse, anything provided for your health, safety or welfare.

• Follow the training you have received when using any work items Stephen Perse has given you.

• Adhere to the Stephen Perse Privacy Notice and ensure private and confidential data is kept secure and disposed of in the appropriate manner.

This job description is not necessarily comprehensive and the position holder will be required to carry out such other duties as may be reasonably required within the general scope and level of the post.

Committees

• Heads of Department.

• Other committees, as directed by the Head

Safeguarding and welfare of children

The post holder’s responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom s/he is responsible, or with whom s/he comes into contact, will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy Statement at all times. If, in the course of carrying out the duties of the post, the role-holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare or children in the School, s/he must report any concerns to the School’s Designated Person or the Foundation’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.

All employees of Stephen Perse adhere to the Safer Working Practices guidance and all teaching staff are required to adhere to the Teaching Standards which can be found on the Stephen Perse website under Recruitment; http://www.stephenperse. com/recruitment

Terms and conditions

All appointments for the Stephen Perse Foundation are subject to satisfactory reference and disclosure and barring service (DBS) checks, proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK, completion of a medical questionnaire and proof of qualifications.

Hours of work

Full time.

Salary

The successful candidate will be remunerated at the appropriate point on the Stephen Perse Foundation’s teaching scale, which is in excess of the state sector teaching scale.

Benefits

• Salary sacrifice tech and cycle to work schemes.

• Season ticket loan for train travel.

• Free lunch and refreshments provided.

• A loan of an iPad, for use whilst employed at Stephen Perse.

• Annual flu immunisation.

• Many of the sites offer covered bike parking.

• Free access to the Cambridge University Botanic Garden.

• Contributory pension scheme.

• Private health and dental plan subscriptions (pro rata for part time).

• A staff discount on school fees of 25% (pro rata for part-time) should staff have a child at any school (from Reception Year upwards) within Stephen Perse.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Knowledge & Experience

Skills & Aptitudes

Personal Attributes

Essential

Good Honours Degree in Physics or closely related subject

Experience of teaching GCSE and A Level Physics to the highest level

Strong academic profile

Excellent verbal, written communication and presentation skills

Excellent organisation skills

Able to work effectively as part of a team

Proficient in the use of educational and administrative technology

Able to take the initiative and work proactively

Able to work through others and delegate effectively

Able to work effectively under pressure

Professionalism and integrity

Dedication and enthusiasm

Energy and resilience

Collegial, consultative and collaborative

Strategic thinker and planner

Reflective and flexible

Able to act on own initiative

Self-motivated

Approachable and supportive

Desirable

PGCE qualification or equivalent in Secondary Science

Ability to teach Chemistry, Biology or Computer Science to GCSE level

Experience of team leadership

Experience of preparing students for university interviews and entrance tests such as the PAT

Assessment Method

Application Form

Production of the Applicant’s certificates at interview

Application Form

Interview

Interview

How to Apply

Please apply directly by downloading an application form from our recruitment page at www.stephenperse.com/recruitment, or email recruitment@stephenperse.com to request an application form.

Please send completed application forms to recruitment@stephenperse.com

We are unable to accept CVs.

The Recruitment Process

• Closing date for applications: Monday 27th February 2023.

• Interviews will take place: Thursday 2nd – Friday 3rd March.

References may be taken up before interview.

Invitation to interview and recruitment arrangements

The Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its pupils. The Foundation has a statutory duty to apply for DBS clearance and shall ask the successful candidate to complete an online form which must be cleared before the applicant can commence work. Such checks may take up to 8 weeks to complete.

The Foundation has a legal responsibility to ensure that all its employees have the legal right to live and work in the UK. Therefore, you will need to provide original documents verifying that you are eligible to work in the UK to the interview. Details of these will be provided in the invitation to interview. All candidates invited to interview must bring the original documents confirming any educational and professional qualifications that are necessary or relevant for the post.

Privacy Notice

Please see our privacy policy which is available on the recruitment portal www.stephenperse.com/recruitment.