Head of Science

Biddenham International School and Sports College, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 4AZ

10 days remaining to apply

Start date details
Commencing September 2025 or earlier, if possible.
Closing date
24 March 2025 at 9am
Date listed
28 February 2025

Job details

Job role: Teacher
Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
Subject: Science
Working pattern: Full time
Contract type: Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary: £31,650.00 - £49,084.00 Annually (FTE) MPS/UPS, plus TLR1B (currently £11,764 per annum)

Head of Science job summary

Biddenham is an 11-19, oversubscribed school that, as we expand, is entering the next phase of its development. Due to our popularity, we need to grow and strengthen our already high performing staff team who, by 2026, will be working with 1500 students. Our recent Ofsted report (Nov 2024) described us as a ‘United family’ and was an accurate account of the school. Needless to say the successful applicant will be joining the school at an exciting time in its development.

We seek to appoint a well-qualified, professional and enthusiastic Head of Department, commencing September 2025 or earlier, if possible. The successful candidate will lead a team of around 20 staff (teaching and support) on their continued journey to become an outstanding department. Science results have improved in recent years and are on track for continued improvement this year; the challenge is to continue this momentum and build on the foundations already in place and create a cohesive, successful team. At the moment, the leadership of the department is supported by a co-ordinator for each of the Key Stages 3, 4 and 5 and there is a further member of staff with responsibility for the STEM agenda.

Science is taught throughout the 11-18 age range and at all levels of ability. It is taught in mixed ability groups in Years 7 and 8. In KS4, we offer both Separate Sciences and Combined Science and we currently follow the OCR Gateway syllabus. In the Sixth Form, students can follow courses in AQA Biology, OCR A Chemistry and OCR B Physics.

The Science Department is well resourced and is committed to extending and improving its range of opportunities for students. Practical experiments are a key part of the curriculum in Science, as we place great emphasis on enquiry in lessons. Our team is dedicated to maintaining curiosity and enthusing passion for our subject with all students. Teachers are well supported by our science technician team, and we have an established mentoring programme within the Department for new and recently qualified teachers. We have well established systems for tracking student progress, and all teachers benefit from being part of such a well qualified and collaborative department.

The successful candidate will be expected to be an excellent classroom practitioner, up to and including KS5, but we are seeking someone who has good leadership skills and abilities. As a school we value highly the development of new and existing resources and the post will involve the opportunity to assess existing materials and develop fresh ideas. Above all else, the successful candidate should be enthusiastic about their work with young people and have a genuine concern for their development as individuals.

As a school we offer:

Access to Levelling Up Premium (where appropriate) worth up to £6,000 per annum,
A diverse workplace,
Chromebooks for all classroom staff and students,
Exceptional professional development and career progression,
A supportive environment for ECTs allowing them to thrive,
Positive working relationships at all levels (with a healthy dose of humour!),
A supportive leadership team,
A genuine focus on staff wellbeing with an employee support resource,
Children of staff are prioritised in our admissions criteria,
Cycle to work scheme for all staff.

This role would be ideal for either an experienced Head of Department or someone looking to make that next step. This is a great opportunity for the right candidate to gain experience to lead a dynamic department and be pivotal in maintaining the success of a thriving department.

Biddenham - ‘Opening Minds - Transforming Lives’.

Biddenham School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check, children’s barred list check, references and social media checks.

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.