Teacher of Chemistry

The Chemistry Department is housed in its own building and comprises six laboratories, two large prep rooms and a collaborative departmental office, where each teacher has their own workstation. The Department has been fully refurbished and modernised. Each laboratory has a full range of standard glassware and chemical reagents along with a traditional whiteboard and a desktop computer with interactive projector. Every room also has an AppleTV device that allows students and staff to mirror their iPads as part of their teaching.

Departmental Principles and Aims

The mission of the Chemistry Department is to stimulate and nurture a love of Chemistry and to help students to understand the importance of the subject and its relevance to the wider world. We provide consistently high quality and stimulating lessons which embed a range of contemporary teaching strategies, with a strong emphasis on independent pupil work and practical experimentations.

Characteristics of the Department

At GCSE, we follow the EDEXCEL IGCSE specification (2017). Results are consistently strong, with 72% of students in 2022 achieving a 7-9.

At A-Level we follow the EDEXCEL (2015) specification. In 2022 55% of students achieved an A* or A grade and many of our students have gone on to study Chemistry or a related Science at University.

In the Lower School (Years 7 & 8) we teach our own bespoke curriculum which extends pupils beyond the confines of the national curriculum and prepares them for studying the three sciences at GCSE level and beyond.

Epsom also supports students for international competitions and gains a large number of silvers and golds in competitions such as the Chemistry Olympiad and Chemistry Challenge. We run trips to universities and talks

in London and have a high calibre of speaker regularly visiting as part of the school’s ‘Cultural Hour’. Our ‘Science Week’ expands every year and includes activities and visiting workshops for every year group.

The Department regularly seeks opportunities to work with other departments on joint initiatives. Recent collaborations have seen Epsom students win national competitions and awards and feature in the national press such as BBC News and Radio.

Epsom has a long and distinguished reputation in the area of Science teaching, fostered from foundation as the school was originally the Royal Medical Foundation, and the high calibre of the Chemistry Department is a fundamental expression of this tradition.

The successful applicant for this post will be expected to:

· Teach a full standard timetable allocation (currently 21 lessons of 50 minutes over a six-day timetable);

· Contribute to the successful teaching of the subject in years 7 to 13, adapting and reassessing lesson plans to meet specific student needs, liaising with the Academic Support Department as necessary;

· Be responsible for the processes of assessment, recording and reporting for the pupils in their charge;

· Assess pupils’ work frequently in line with Departmental and school policy and use the results to inform future planning, teaching and curricular development;

· Be familiar with school assessment and reporting procedures and prepare and present informative, helpful and accurate reports to parents both in writing and at parent consultation evenings;

· Enhance the quality of teaching and learning in the Department and wider College through sharing resources and good practice, lesson observation, collaborative teaching, mentoring and active participation in continuing professional development;

· Consolidate and extend learning, encouraging pupils to take responsibility for their own learning;

· Set high expectations for all pupils to deepen their knowledge and understanding and to maximise their achievement;

· Use positive management of behaviour in an environment of mutual respect that allows pupils to feel safe and secure and promotes their self-esteem;

· Make a positive contribution to the efficient running of the Department, including setting and marking examinations, writing Schemes of Work, attending departmental meetings, and undertaking administrative and other tasks as delegated by the Head of Department;

· Play an active role in the co-curricular life of the Department, including contributing to support sessions, extension programmes, competitions, trips, open days and prep school events;

· As requested by the Assistant Head: Total Curriculum, contribute fully to the school wide co-curricular programme outside of purely academic areas, across all three terms and the six day working week. This could include assisting with coaching and running a sport team, training with the Combined Cadet Force or DofE programmes, delivering high quality and innovative activities across a range of age groups, assisting with whole school events and contributing to the Total Curriculum in whatever way is best required by the College;

· Work as a tutor in either the Lower School, or in a day or boarding house as requested by the Deputy Head: Pastoral & DSL.

· Adhere to, and promote, all College policies and procedures;

· Undertake any other reasonable task as directed by the Head, Deputy Head Academic or Head of Department.

This job description is indicative of the expected duties and responsibilities of a teacher at Epsom College. Given the dynamic and evolving nature of teaching and learning this job description is fluid and would expect to alter as the College’s teaching and learning strategy and academic developments evolve.

Epsom College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.

Essential

· Possess an excellent degree in Chemistry or related subject;

· Demonstrate the ability to teach GCSE and A Level;

· Demonstrate an innovative and imaginative approach to teaching and learning, showing the capability to deliver inspirational and informative lessons to a variety of age ranges and abilities;

· Display a willingness to be involved in all aspects of departmental development, be a dedicated team-player who strives for excellence and leads by example;

· Be able to demonstrate a positive and authoritative rapport with all pupils, showing excellent and effective classroom management skills;

· Show excellent communication skills to enable effective dialogue with pupils, parents, staff and visitors;

· Be organised and self-motivated, with a proven record for meeting targets and deadlines;

· Demonstrate a sharp and progressive vision of the subject and of teaching and learning in a successful and dynamic school;

· Display an ability to perform well and remain professional whilst under pressure, be tactful and discreet, whilst mindful of observing Safeguarding and professional standards;

· Be committed to boarding school life and willing to engage in a range of co-curricular activities;

· Demonstrate a strong commitment to personal continuous professional development;

· Display a smart and professional appearance, representing the College in a positive manner

Desirable

· Demonstrate an ability to teach a further science at GCSE level

· Provide evidence of an impressive track record of GCSE and A Level results;

· A demonstrable interest in aspects of Chemistry, both on and off the syllabus and in recent and forthcoming curriculum developments in the subject area.

In order to arrive at a decision, the selection panel may enhance any or all of the desirable criteria and we reserve the right to appoint at any time during the recruitment process.

The College has its own salary scale, offers a generous fee remission for the sons and daughters of staff, private health care along with other extensive benefits and accommodation may be available.

The offer of the role would be made subject to receipt of references, proof of relevant qualifications, Teaching Regulation Agency and other relevant checks for teaching positions in the UK, obtaining a letter of professional standing from the professional regulating authority for teachers who have worked outside the UK where appropriate, a check of online search engines and websites of publicly available information that does not identify the candidate as potentially unsuitable to work within a school setting, sighting of birth certificate, Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check, an overseas check, if appropriate, and pre-placement medical assessment that are all satisfactory to Epsom College. Proof of entitlement to work within the United Kingdom will be required. Prior to interview, an online search of internet search engines, websites and other publicly available and publicly accessible platforms to ascertain applicant’s suitability to work within a school environment will be undertaken on applicants that have been shortlisted.

All employees are required to ensure that all duties and responsibilities are discharged in accordance with the College’s Health and Safety Policy. They should take reasonable care for their own Health and Safety and that of others who may be affected by what they do or do not do. Staff should correctly use work items provided by the College, including personal protective equipment in accordance with training and instruction.

Anyone wishing to discuss these details further may contact Mrs Becky Brown, Deputy Head Academic rebecca.brown@epsomcollege.org.uk or Dr Alan Wadsworth-Reay, Head of Chemistry, a.wadsworth-reay@epsomcollege.org.uk

Candidates are asked to complete Application Form available from our website www.epsomcollege.org.uk or TES along with a letter of application and submit these as soon as possible. Applications will be assessed in order of receipt and interviews and subsequent offer may occur at any stage after applications are received. We therefore invite interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

Please contact Vikki Stroud, Recruitment and HR Manager, with any queries regarding the application process Vikki.Stroud@epsomcollege.org.uk

Closing date 9am Monday 24th February 202