Head of Sciecne
Comberton Village College, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB23 7DU14 days remaining to apply
Start date details
September 2026
Closing date
13 April 2026 at 10am
Date listed
30 March 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Subjects
- Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Science
Working pattern
- Part time, full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- MPS/UPS plus a TLR1B (£14,864 per annum)
Additional allowances
MPS/UPS plus a TLR1B (£14,864 per annum)
Head of Sciecne job summary
HEAD OF SCIENCE
Salary: MPS/UPS plus a TLR1B (£14,864 per annum)
Contract: Permanent. Full time or Part Time
Start date: September 2026
Place of work: Comberton Village College, Comberton
Are you a charismatic, values‑driven leader with the passion and expertise to secure exceptional outcomes for every pupil? We are seeking an inspiring and ambitious Head of Department who believes deeply in inclusion, is committed to championing the most disadvantaged learners, and has the strategic drive to lead our large and experienced team to excellence.
About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to lead a large, well‑established Science department with several experienced postholders, offering a strong foundation from which to lead, develop and innovate. The role would suit either an experienced and ambitious Second in Department ready for the next step, or a current Head of Science in a smaller school seeking a new challenge in a bigger, vibrant setting.
The successful candidate will be well‑supported by the Trust Lead for Science, as well as the school’s Senior Leadership Team, but will have the autonomy to design and implement a curriculum and pedagogical approaches that suit the school and department context.
We are looking for a leader who:
- Holds uncompromisingly high expectations for all pupils, with a proven commitment to securing exceptional outcomes—especially for those who face the greatest barriers.
- Is passionate about curriculum development, ensuring that what we teach remains diverse, engaging, ambitious and rooted in the disciplinary rigour of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
- Brings people with them through positivity, clarity and charisma, motivating and supporting colleagues to give their very best.
- Champions inclusion at every level, ensuring all pupils feel valued, challenged and able to thrive within Science.
- Is determined to make the department the best it can be, with a relentless focus on high‑quality teaching, strong professional learning, and a culture of continuous improvement.
What We Offer
- A committed, reflective and enthusiastic team eager to work with a forward‑thinking leader.
- A school culture that values collaboration, professional development and staff wellbeing.
- Pupils who are motivated, curious and ready to engage in a rich and ambitious scientific curriculum.
- Excellent facilities and the support of a senior team and wider trust committed to subject excellence and leadership growth.
‘Pupils here are not taught just to pass exams. They acquire the skills and knowledge they need to be first-rate mathematicians, scientists, historians, and artists, among others.’ (Ofsted, November 2024).
About Science at Comberton
All pupils study Biology, Chemistry and Physics from Years 7-11, following a curriculum designed to build deep conceptual understanding and strong working scientifically skills. At Key Stage 4, students study either AQA Trilogy Combined Science (two GCSEs) or opt for three separate GCSE sciences. Uptake in our Separate Sciences is high across the ability range. Comberton Sixth Form offers a broad suite of A Level Sciences, including Biology, Chemistry and Physics, as well as Environmental Science, which are some of the most popular subjects across the sixth form. Students benefit from highly specialist teaching and excellent facilities, contributing to consistently strong results.
Science students experience many exceptional enrichment opportunities, including:
- Lectures and seminars with local scientific organisations.
- Fieldwork and investigative lab experience that develops scientific thinking.
- A wide range of wider enrichment and subject‑related trips, both UK‑based and international.
- Access to super‑curricular pathways designed to extend academic curiosity beyond the classroom.
About Our School
We are a highly successful, community mixed comprehensive school with Teaching School status in a pleasant rural setting only 5 miles from the centre of Cambridge. We currently have around 2000 11-18 pupils on roll including in our sixth form centre that opened in September 2011.
Our pupils are well‑motivated, staff morale is excellent and examination results at KS4 and KS5 are very strong across our comprehensive intake. The school has consistently been rated by Ofsted as outstanding over very many years - our most recent Ofsted (November 2024) achieved ‘outstanding’ in all categories.
If you are a dynamic, thoughtful and inspiring leader who is ready to shape a high‑performing department and make a profound difference to young people’s lives, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Prospective candidates are strongly encouraged to visit the school for a tour and to meet with the Principal and other senior colleagues during the week beginning 13th April. This can be arranged by contacting recruitment@catrust.co.uk
For further details on our school please visit our website www.combertonvc.org.
Further information about the job
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.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Comberton Village College
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1962 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Comberton Village College website
Please note that listings under Comberton Village College may be for other schools within The Cam Academy Trust.
Our schools include:
Cambourne Village College, Cambourne
Comberton Village College, Comberton
Everton Heath Primary, Everton
Gamlingay Village Primary, Gamlingay
Hartford Infant School, Huntingdon
Hartford Primary School, Huntingdon
Jeavons Wood Primary School, Cambourne
Melbourn Village College, Melbourn
Offord Primary School, Offord D'Arcy
St Peters School, Huntingdon
Thongsley Fields Primary School, Huntingdon
School location
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