Head of Science
Saint John Bosco College, London, SW11 3DQ19 days remaining to apply
Start date details
April 2026 (earlier start available for the right candidate)
Closing date
23 November 2026 at 9am
Date listed
4 November 2026
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
Subjects
- Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Science
Working pattern
- Full time: 32.5 hrs/week - 5days/week - Term time only
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- Teachers’ Pay Scale [Inner London]
Additional allowances
TLR1.2 (£12,955)
What skills and experience we're looking for
The Governors of St John Bosco College are seeking an excellent Science teacher and inspiring leader to lead our Science department. This is an opportunity to shape an ambitious, knowledge-rich curriculum across Key Stages 3, 4 and 5 and help every student achieve their potential within our Catholic and Salesian community.
As a member of the Middle Leadership Team, you will set a clear direction for Science, lead departmental improvement and build a collaborative team with high expectations for teaching, learning and achievement. We welcome applications from experienced subject leaders and teachers ready for their next leadership step who can demonstrate the experience and skills in the person specification.
The role
- Lead a well-sequenced Science curriculum across KS3–KS5, with high-quality schemes of work, resources and assessment.
- Use performance data to identify gaps, target interventions and improve progress and attainment for students of all abilities.
- Coach, mentor and line-manage colleagues, including the Second in Charge of Science, and support Early Career Teachers.
- Work with Science technicians to ensure safe practical teaching and effective management of laboratories, resources and the departmental budget.
- Develop STEM clubs, trips, competitions and university and industry links to enrich learning and raise aspirations.
About you
You will hold Qualified Teacher Status and a good honours degree in a relevant Science discipline, with a proven record of excellent Science teaching and raising standards. You will bring experience of curriculum development, using data to improve outcomes, coaching or managing colleagues, and managing resources and budgets. Strong organisational and communication skills, ongoing professional development and sound knowledge of safe practical science are essential.
You will enjoy working with young people, champion inclusion and equality of opportunity, and be committed to safeguarding, supporting the College’s Catholic and Salesian ethos and contributing to the wider life of the school.
We offer opportunities to develop your teaching and leadership through our CPD programme and to contribute to the wider leadership of the school.
What the school offers its staff
Our Commitment to Staff Wellbeing.
At SJBC, we’re building a school that values its staff just as much as its students.
OUR CULTURE AND ETHOS ✅ A proud, diverse and inclusive Catholic school making a real difference to the lives of our students ✅ A strong RUAH ethos (Respect, Understanding, Affection and Humour) – our culture is rooted in family, belonging and mutual respect ✅ Part of a worldwide Salesian network of schools – sharing values, mission and support ✅ A clear behaviour policy built on our values and consistently upheld ✅ Staff voice matters – we actively consult on wellbeing, workload, curriculum, systems and student experience ✅ Staff are celebrated on merit – regular recognition of the difference they make ✅ All SLT teach – modelling shared responsibility and understanding
WORKLOAD AND SYSTEMS THAT RESPECT STAFF TIME ✅ We promote working smarter, not harder – focusing on purposeful systems ✅ A streamlined marking policy – teachers do not mark every book; we prioritise impact over quantity ✅ Weekly department meetings built into the timetable – no late evenings ✅ PPA allowance of 17% including CPD and Departmental time in school hours, enabling teachers to plan high-quality lessons ✅ Only 2 break duties and 1 lunch duty per week – fair, balanced and manageable ✅ Centralised detention system for homework and lateness – led by the pastoral team, not individual teachers PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE ✅ A bespoke coaching programme for every staff member ✅ CPD rooted in the SSAT Embedding Formative Assessment model – focused, practical and high-impact ✅ Weekly CPD time built into the school day – no need for regular after-school sessions ✅ Just 8 twilight CPD sessions scheduled across the whole year ✅ Accredited at Bronze by the TDT’s Building Expert Schools programme - independently verified for excellence in professional learning. ✅ Governors can financially support post-graduate studies ( up to 25%) for courses directly related to improving student outcomes or experience
FLEXIBILITY AND WELLBEING ✅ Flexible PPA arrangements – staff can request a late start or early finish once a week to work from home ✅ Access to a free, confidential Employee Assistance Programme – 24/7 professional counselling and advice ✅ On-site gym – free for staff use ✅ A programme of staff social activities promoting wellbeing and a real sense of community led by an experienced staff wellbeing coordinator ✅ Trained Mental Health practitioners and MH first aiders available to support staff wellbeing ✅ Chaplaincy team that supports staff and students and dedicated spaces for quiet prayer and/or reflection for those that want it
Come and belong. Be part of a team where your time, talent and wellbeing truly matter.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Saint John Bosco College
- Organisation type
- Local authority maintained school, Roman Catholic, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- Size
- 828 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- Email address
- apply@sjbc.wandsworth.sch.uk
St John Bosco College is an 'Outstanding' (RC Archdiocese of Southwark May 2019) Roman Catholic, 11 – 18 mixed school. The school is in the top 5% of schools nationally for GCSE progress and in the top 1% for progress made by disadvantaged students. Our success can be credited to our committed and dedicated staff who strive for excellence and promote high aspirations throughout the school.
School location
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