Head of Science

WORKING WITH US

We are an 11-16 Academy and a proud member of the Harris Federation. Our Academy is built upon our core values of Belong, Believe, Become. For us, these values are not slogans on a wall but the principles which guide our decisions, our thinking and which we strive to fulfil every day.

We believe that education has two key functions. The first is to enable students to achieve great academic qualifications. These qualifications create opportunities and open doors for our students. We believe our students are capable of great things - strong educational outcomes enable this. Secondly we believe that education helps us to become human. Our knowledge-rich curriculum exposes our students to the 'greatest that has been thought and said'. We want our students to understand themselves, others and the world around them in all its complexity and wonder. We strive to fulfil these two key functions through the explicit teaching of knowledge, strong extra-curricular and wider experiences and a culture of high expectations and scholarship.

We are an Academy that cares deeply about our students and our community. We want all our students to be accepted for who they are and to feel they truly belong. We do this through a strong pastoral system, our wider curriculum and through our dedicated team of experts including our SEN and pastoral teams.

Our values come alive in our day-to-day life. They are lived through our curriculum with its wide range of subjects that go beyond the National Curriculum and include subjects such as Latin and Ancient History; through our approach to personal development which helps our students become kind, informed, confident, resilient, curious and ambitious; through our emphasis on traditional ideas of hard work, respect for authority, high standards of uniform and behaviour; and through our highly qualified staff.

We are privileged to work in this school and to serve our students and our community. Please contact us if you would like to visit us or find out more about us.

ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY

Are you a passionate teacher looking for your next step? We are looking for a qualified, experienced teacher to join Harris Academy Rainham and Harris Rainham Sixth Form as Head of Science. Harris Academy Rainham and Harris Rainham Sixth Form is open to flexible working so full and part time applications are welcome. We are looking for a strong communicator with proven skills in engaging with, inspiring and motivating, not just the school community but the wider community.

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• To be accountable for leading, managing and developing the subject area.
• To raise standards of student attainment and achievement within the whole subject/curriculum area and to monitor and support student progress.
• To ensure the provision of an appropriately broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum for students studying in the department, in accordance with the aims of the academy and the curricular policies determined by the Governing Body and Principal.
• To teach the relevant subject across the age and ability range.
• To facilitate and encourage a learning experience which provides students with the opportunity to achieve their individual potential.
• To effectively manage and deploy staff, financial and physical resources within the department.
• To share and support the school’s responsibility to provide and monitor opportunities for personal and academic growth.

Your main areas of responsibility will fall under the areas of:

• Operational and strategic planning (including formulating the subject and faculty improvement plans, and leading the development of appropriate syllabuses, resources, schemes of work, marking policies, assessment and teaching strategies).
• Ensuring the delivery of an appropriate, comprehensive, high quality and cost effective curriculum and leading development of the subject and its delivery.
• Staff development (including recruiting, building and managing an effective team of motivated staff).
• Student outcomes (including ensuring the effective operation of target setting, monitoring and evaluation systems and the input and maintenance of accurate student data).
• Pastoral system (including being a form tutor to a selected group of students).
• Teaching, including acting as an outstanding role model.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We would like to hear from you if you:

• Hold QTS (or equivalent) and a relevant undergraduate degree, and, ideally, management training.
• Demonstrate successful teaching of GCSE at good or better level.
• Have experience of initiation and effective management of change.
• Show evidence of raising achievement in present post and showing good value added for groups.
• Have knowledge of current curriculum developments in subject and their implications.
• Have good knowledge and understanding of current educational thinking.
• Show good understanding of how children learn and how to raise standards of achievement.
• Have good communication skills in speech and writing.
• Display excellent organisational skills.
• Are able to build and sustain professional standards and relationships with students.
• Are able to contribute towards creating a safe and protective environment.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

Teacher Development

At Harris, we have curated professional development pathways that will guide you towards achieving your career ambitions. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. With a strong network of passionate educators, expert development initiatives and a multitude of opportunities for career progression, your journey with Harris could be the most rewarding one yet.

We offer a wide range of high quality teacher professional development programmes via the Harris Institute of Teaching and Leadership.

Flexible Working

We are committed to fostering a positive and supportive working environment for our staff, recognising that achieving a balance between professional and personal responsibilities is essential. We understand that each individual’s circumstances are unique, which is why we offer flexible working options that can be adapted to meet the needs of both the academy and our employees.

Benefits

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance (usually £2,000 for Inner London and £1,500 for Outer London), a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Teachers Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan, Employee Assistance Programme, and many other benefits.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.

APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION

Thank you for your interest in this position. If you would like to discuss this opportunity, or to request a visit, please email the academy via the Why work page on harriscareers. Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. This will be help you when completing your application, and throughout the recruitment process. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website.