Head of Chemistry

Arden, Solihull, West Midlands, B93 0PT

7 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  1st January 2025

• Closing date

  11 October 2024 at 9am

• Date listed

  23 September 2024

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Subjects: Chemistry, Science
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £30,000.00 - £46,525.00 Annually (Actual) TLR2

Head of Chemistry job summary

We are seeking to further strengthen our Chemistry team as our success at GCSE and A Level continues to lead to increased demand. We are therefore seeking to appoint a highly impactful Head of Chemistry to promote the highest standards in chemistry. The successful candidate will have excellent subject knowledge and be able to motivate students through inspirational teaching. This is an excellent opportunity for a talented teacher to take a leadership role within the Science department to work with students who are keen to learn.

The postholder will have responsibility for ensuring the consistent development and implementation of Chemistry within the Science curriculum. The opportunity for personal development and progression is enormous. An active commitment to staff development through a strong and consistent focus and dialogue around teaching & learning pedagogy makes this an ideal position for candidates committed to being the best practitioner they can be.

Applicants should be able to teach to GCSE and a specialism in Chemistry is preferred. The ability to teach to A Level is desirable. If you do not have experience of teaching A Level, but are keen to develop that expertise, we can support you to develop the skills and knowledge required to deliver engaging and challenging lessons at KS5.

The outcomes below are excellent and demonstrate the success and engagement in Science across Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5:

A large uptake of pupils (typically between 35% to 45%) opt for single sciences at GCSE - around 50% of these each year go on to achieve grades 7, 8 or 9.

We were equally delighted with our Science cohorts. Of our Combined Scientists, 14% achieved grades 99-77, every year some students achieve 99. Our triple Science uptake is usually around 100 students; their results are always excellent and our Biologists deserve special mention with a ‘value added score’ of +0.57 in the Summer 2024 examinations.

We have a consistently high uptake of Science at A level: 81 students in Year 13 and 105 students in Year 12 are currently studying either Biology, Chemistry or Physics with two or three teaching groups for each subject in each year group.

A Level results are outstanding and our students strive to achieve the highest grades. Last year 44% of Physicists achieved A*-B; we typically have 5-6 students gaining places at medical school and have supported many students to gain places at Oxford and Cambridge to study science-based degrees.

Core Maths is offered to students in Year 12, many choose to take it in order to support their Science A Level.

In every way the Science Department mirrors the aims and beliefs of the school. All staff work hard, supported by a committed leadership team, to provide a safe and encouraging environment for learning. Arden students love to acquire new knowledge and skills. Our teachers relish the opportunity to deliver engaging, challenging lessons to committed students, supported by caring families.

The department currently has thirteen full time and six part-time members of staff. It has a wealth of experienced teachers who all work well together. Students study either AQA Triple or Double Science (Trilogy specification) at GCSE and A Levels in Chemistry, Physics and Biology are offered.

The school has an excellent record of success at GCSE and A Level:

GCSEs - In summer 2024, the school’s Progress 8 score was +0.64, with an Attainment 8 score of 57.51, which shows the excellent attainment of our school. 68% of our students achieved a grade 5 in both English and Maths, with 82% achieving this at grade 4. More than 40% of the GCSE grades awarded were grade 7 and above, with 23% being awarded at grade 8 & 9.

A Levels - In 2024 students achieved an average grade of a B. Our average points score of 39.85 demonstrates the excellent outcomes that our students achieve. 40% of grades awarded were A*/A and 69% of grades awarded were A*- B.

In return we can offer you:

A positive and innovative learning culture supported by students, staff, parents and governors.

Enthusiastic students who enjoy learning and engage positively in all aspects of school life.

Access to high quality continuing professional development and the opportunity for personal growth and development.

A collaborative and supportive attitude amongst staff which promotes a sense of teamwork and unity.

Commitment to Middle Leader Development through:

Middle Leader cross trust training

Middle Leader progress meetings with Associate Head teacher and Executive Head teacher

Middle Leader support through highly effective SLT Line Manager

A Senior Leadership team who is committed to promoting the best environment and outcomes for staff and students.

Use of your own personal laptop.

Teacher Pension.

Cycle to Work scheme.

Free on-site parking.

Children of staff who are permanently employed at Arden Academy are eligible for a ‘staff’ priority for Arden main school and Sixth Form admissions (please see Admissions on our school website for full details and eligibility criteria).

Arden Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all its staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We welcome applications regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexuality or religion. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS Disclosure and, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education, will be subject to a social media online search.

Commitment to safeguarding

Arden Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all its staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We welcome applications regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexuality or religion. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS Disclosure and, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education, will be subject to a social media online search.

Applying for the job

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

CVs are not accepted.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

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About Arden

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary
• School size: 1820 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report (opens in new tab)
• School website: Arden website (opens in new tab)
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/arden (opens in new tab)

Arden is a truly exceptional school at the heart of the community and the peak of academic excellence. Situated just minutes off Junction 5 of the M42 and only 3 miles from the town of Solihull, visitors are astounded by our confident and articulate students. Our recent Ofsted report spoke about the culture of ‘exceptionally high aspirations that permeate the school’ and ‘the positive relationships between staff and pupils’ where ‘teachers teach individuals, not classes’. As an innovative school always striving for better there is a constant drive to achieve maximum personal and academic potential and as part of a Multi Academy Trust there is the opportunity for exceptional training and the sharing of knowledge and ideas.

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