Head of Chemistry
Weald of Kent Grammar School, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 2JP8 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2025
Closing date
3 March 2025 at 9am
Date listed
14 February 2025
Job details
Job role
- Head of department or curriculum
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
Subject
- Chemistry
Working pattern
- Full time (Can be done as a job share): 32.5 hours per week
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- MPS/UPS
Additional allowances
TLR2b (£5,835 per annum)
What skills and experience we're looking for
The Head of Chemistry is committed to delivering the school’s vision and the high ambitions for the school’s future. Their clear strategic and operational activity leads to sustained improvements and raised standards across the organisation. The Head of Chemistry communicates to others clearly and regularly to their team and those they may work with about the strategic direction of “Development and Standards” policy and the operational functions for which they are accountable. In addition, they ensure that the systems that are introduced are understood and embedded in the every-day work of their Department including any subject specialisms that form part of the area’s work. The Head of Chemistry seeks to challenge underperformance and remove barriers to inclusion and achievement. The Head of Chemistry is an outstanding teacher and tutor who consistently models Professional Standards. They actively seek out best practice and inspires others also to continue to improve. The Head of Chemistry actively supports the activities of the school community and the wider community it serves.
The Post Holder’s role and responsibilities will be reviewed and negotiated annually to meet the needs of the school community and in order to support the colleague’s on-going professional development. The areas of responsibility will include a range of strategic and operational activities.
The Post Holder will support by:
- Leading the Chemistry department across all relevant key stages.
- Creating and maintaining positive and supportive relationships with students, staff, parents, the PTA, Trustees and all other stakeholders.
- Engaging with appropriate professional development opportunities to promote professional effectiveness in their role.
What the school offers its staff
Staff are our most valued asset and we place a high emphasis on staff well-being and professional development, no matter what stage of your career you are at. We pride ourselves with the supportive and inclusive nature of the school and ensure that we foster a friendly working environment. As part of our commitment to staff well-being and development, we offer the following to teaching staff:
Professional Development
§ Research led CPD programmes, tailored to individual’s aspirations, which are based both in school and across the wider Trust.
§ A full induction programme for all new staff.
§ ECT’s will have a lower teaching load, timetabled mentoring sessions and a full programme of training and induction activities.
§ Unlimited access to the National College CPD Platform.
§ An additional INSET day at the beginning of the academic year dedicated to teacher planning and preparation.
§ Our “No lesson judgements” poicy ensures lesson observations are developmental and supportive.
§ One INSET day a year dedicated to moderation and curriculum preparation.
Staff Welfare
§ Data capture that is measured and timely - we report progress home three times a year.
§ Minimal written reports.
§ No requirement for teachers to submit lesson plans, even for lesson observations.
§ Teaching staff are only required to do a maximum of one twenty minute duty each week.
§ Supportive yet challenging governance, which understands that teachers are our most valuable resource.
§ We are a school that appreciates the importance of family. We do our best to support staff when there are issues and requests for additional leave regarding family events and an Additional Leave policy that supports staff when they may need time off school.
§ A teaching load of 42/50 one-hour periods of teaching per fortnight maximum.
Support
§ The school calendar is planned in advance across the whole year so people know what is happening and when.
§ In-house cover supervision team.
§ A comprehensive pastoral team to help with supporting our students with behaviour and wellbeing.
§ A highly effective and proactive support staff that play an important role in supporting teaching and learning.
§ A Marketing, Events and Visits team that are responsible for organising key school events and trips.
Benefits
§ School budgets are set making the assumption that everybody will get their incremental pay rise.
§ Cycle to work scheme.
§ A three-week Christmas holiday.
§ Healthcare cash plan.
§ Occupational health support.
§ Priority admission for staff children (see admissions policy on school website).
§ Employee Discount Scheme (Multiple Retailers – Kent Reward Scheme).
§ Opportunity to perform paid lunch-time duties (with free lunch).
§ Free annual flu vaccination.
§ Employee Assistance Programme.
§ Free tea and coffee provided in the staff room.
§ Use of onsite canteen offering hot meals and salad bar.
§ Opportunities to participate in enrichment activities e.g. theatre visits.
§ Opportunities for flexible working.
§ Free on-site parking.
§ Membership of theTeachers' Pension Scheme(TPS) orLocal Government Pension Scheme(LGPS).
Environment
§ Pleasant working environment with very well-behaved students.
§ Eleven acres of school grounds set in Green Belt land at Tonbridge Campus.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applying for the job
Please complete the online application.
CVs are not accepted.
Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Weald of Kent Grammar School
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary
- School size
- 1920 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report (opens in new tab)
- School website
- Weald of Kent Grammar School website (opens in new tab)
- Email address
- hr@wealdgs.org
- Phone number
- 01732 373500
Weald of Kent is a selective Girls’ Grammar School for 11-18 year olds with a roll of approximately 2000 students including our co-educational Sixth Form. The school is one of the highest performing schools in the country. We aspire to excel at everything we do. Owing to our continued success we were thrilled to have been given permission by the Secretary of State to expand and mirror what we deliver at our Tonbridge campus in a campus at Sevenoaks, which opened in September 2017. In addition to the exciting new facilities, we have also invested in our Tonbridge campus which now has a state-of-the-art Sports Hall and university style Sixth Form Study Centre. A new science block and new English classrooms have been built this year. Both campuses are situated in beautiful rural settings with far reaching views across the Garden of England with excellent transport links.
Arranging a visit to Weald of Kent Grammar School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email hr@wealdgs.org.
School location
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