9 days remaining to apply

  • Start date details

    January 2026 or earlier if available

  • Closing date

    16 October 2025 at 12:59am

  • Date listed

    16 September 2025

Job details

Job role

  • Head of department or curriculum

Visa sponsorship

Visas cannot be sponsored

Working pattern

Full time

Contract type

Permanent

Full-time equivalent salary

£36,443.00 - £54,575.00 Annually (Actual) MPS/UPS depending on experience plus TLR 2A (as above) plus £2,000 bursary for direct applications, paid over two years

Chemistry Lead job summary

Discover What Highcrest Can Offer You

How does working nine days but being paid for ten sound?

From September 2024, all permanent staff at Highcrest benefit from a 9-day working fortnight. The concept is simple: you work nine days and get paid for ten. The tenth day is your dedicated ‘reset day’ — time away from school to rest, recharge, and invest in your well-being. This is in addition to your statutory PPA time.

Staff feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Colleagues return from their reset day feeling more energised, less overwhelmed, and better able to manage the demands of school life. Many also enjoy the extra flexibility, reduced travel time, and cost savings.

Could this be the change you’ve been looking for?

On top of this, we offer:

  • Exceptional investment in your professional development

  • The potential for on-site accommodation if you're relocating

  • First-class facilities, including a well-equipped gym, excellent canteen, and a welcoming coffee shop

Does Highcrest sound like the school for you?

If you're driven by the satisfaction of transforming lives and helping young people overcome barriers to success, we’d love to hear from you.

Take your career to the next level

At Highcrest, we do whatever it takes to break down barriers and unlock potential. As the only all-ability academy in Buckinghamshire, we are proud to provide an outstanding education for every student — from high academic achievers to those with special educational needs.

Our innovative, inclusive curriculum reflects the diversity of our school community and is purposefully designed to challenge, support, and inspire every learner.

If you're ready to grow as an educator and make a real difference, this is your opportunity to take your career to the next level — and be part of something truly transformational.

Explore the opportunity

We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed Chemistry specialist — and a future leader — to take a key role in shaping the development of Chemistry within our high-performing Science department.

You will be confident teaching Chemistry up to Key Stage 5 and able to contribute to Biology and/or Physics at Key Stage 3 and/or 4. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a dynamic, heavily oversubscribed academy and make a meaningful impact.

Our Science team is a vibrant mix of experienced educators, early career teachers, and two dedicated technicians, all working collaboratively to drive continuous improvement. The department is well-resourced, with specialist laboratories, modern technology, a newly refurbished lab, and excellent Sixth Form facilities.

We’re seeking someone passionate about promoting Science across the school and enriching students’ learning both in and beyond the classroom. You’ll bring creativity and innovation to your teaching, inspiring the next generation of scientists at Highcrest.

Whether you're stepping into middle leadership for the first time or looking to broaden your responsibilities, we would love to hear from you.

Apply Now!

If you’re ready to join our team, please complete our online application form via the apply button.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Please note, we will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis and may close the advert early should we receive an exceptional candidate, so we recommend applying early.

The Highcrest Academy is fully committed to safeguarding children (polices on web). All members of staff are in a "regulated" role under the Vetting & Barring Scheme and have to be DBS cleared prior to employment.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.
Visas cannot be sponsored.
If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

The Highcrest Academy is fully committed to safeguarding children (policies on web). All members of staff are in a “regulated” role under the Vetting & Barring Scheme and have to be DBS cleared prior to employment.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

View advert on external website (opens in new tab)

About The Highcrest Academy

School type
Academy, ages 11 to 18
Education phase
Secondary
School size
1072 pupils enrolled
Age range
11 to 18
Ofsted report
View Ofsted report

"The school has a warm and welcoming atmosphere" and "Pupils at The Highcrest Academy happily live up to the school's motto of 'aspire and achieve'." Ofsted 2020

All who work at the academy reinforce our six virtues linked to our motto (Ambition, Sensitivity, Purpose, Integrity, Resilience and Eloquence), helping us instil a culture of excellence that runs throughout every strand of our Academy.

Situated in the leafy Chilterns and within easy reach of Central London, Highcrest is culturally and academically diverse and is the only academy in Buckinghamshire that caters for students of ‘all abilities’. Some of our students need all your support, whilst others need to be challenged and stretched. Our inclusive and successful House system, a wide range of clubs, visits and trips helps to bring our whole school community together. There are approximately 1,000 students on roll, including the Sixth Form. Recent additions to our site include a gym and restaurant/coffee shop for both staff and students, as well as a purpose-built Sixth Form Centre.

A thriving and friendly academy in the heart of the community, where your well-being is paramount. We offer staff recognition schemes, free gym and staff sports teams, plus a paid Well-being Day for all staff. There is also the possibility of shared staff living accommodation and on-site parking.

School location

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