Head of Department (Science) TLR 2.1

Penkridge Middle School, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST19 5BW

17 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2026

• Closing date

  27 February 2026 at 12:30pm

• Date listed

  9 February 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Head of department or curriculum
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 2, Key stage 3
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: 37,101.00 - 51,047.00

Head of Department (Science) TLR 2.1 job summary

                                                                                                        

Penkridge Middle School is excited to welcome a dedicated and dynamic Head of Science to lead our department. This is a fantastic opportunity for an enthusiastic educator who believes in nurturing young minds, championing high-quality teaching, and driving forward an inspiring Science curriculum for learners in a middle school setting.

In this role, you’ll take the lead in shaping our Science provision—coordinating schemes of work, assessments and accreditation, and ensuring our pupils receive an engaging, challenging and supportive learning experience. As a key middle leader, you will champion excellent teaching and learning, coaching and supporting colleagues so that all pupils make good or better progress.

A central part of the role involves using data intelligently to inform planning, interventions and strategies that help close gaps for vulnerable learners. You’ll develop individual learning plans, liaise with colleagues on baselines and curriculum pathways, and deliver high-quality lessons.

We’re looking for someone who thrives on curriculum innovation, enjoys working collaboratively and contributes positively to whole-school strategies, behaviour approaches, policies and wider development. As a member of our school community, you’ll uphold our values, maintain professional boundaries and play an active role in Penkridge Middle School’s continued success.

The ideal candidate will be an excellent classroom practitioner with a strong record of securing positive outcomes. You’ll be someone who can inspire and develop a team, bring fresh thinking to science education, and confidently use performance data to drive improvement. A passion for evidence-informed practice, high standards and curriculum creativity is essential—along with a willingness to be involved in the wider life of our happy and oversubscribed school.

We warmly welcome applications from primary, middle and secondary trained teachers. Whether you’re an experienced Science specialist or a teacher with the potential to step up into leadership, we’d love to hear from you.

If you’re ready to make a real impact and lead Science with vision and enthusiasm, we look forward to receiving your application.

Visits to the school are welcomed. Please contact Amy Griffiths (Office Manager) via email a-griffiths@penkvalley.co.uk or by telephone on 01785 413400 to arrange a call or visit.

Being part of Penk Valley Academy Trust:

Penk Valley Academy Trust is the local academy Trust for the following schools: Marshbrook First School, Princefield First School, St John’s First School, St Mary & St Chad CE First School, Penkridge Middle School, Wolgarston High School and The Rural Enterprise Academy.

 

The Trust’s vision and ethos is encapsulated in our motto ‘Learning Together’. Our main aim is to work collaboratively and take collective responsibility for ensuring that every child and young person in our Trust receives an excellent education, achieves high outcomes and realises their potential. All members of staff work incredibly hard to provide the very best education for every child in our care.

 

Employee benefits

• Access to first class CPD opportunities
• Genuine opportunities for career progression - with 7 schools within the academy
• Professional assistance - you will have access to an Employee Assistance Programme
• Pension - automatic enrolment into Teachers Pension Scheme
• Discounted gym memberships
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Free will writing service

 

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and responsibility. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

 

All staff working in the School during the school day will have contact with children and will therefore be in regulated activity. 

 

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

 

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

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

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.

About Penkridge Middle School

• School type: Academy, ages 9 to 13
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 500 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 9 to 13
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Penkridge Middle School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/penkridge-middle-school

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