Head of Science
St John's Catholic Comprehensive, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 2JW10 days remaining to apply
Earliest start date
1 September 2026
Latest start date
1 January 2027
Closing date
15 June 2026 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
5 June 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
Subject
- Science
Working pattern
- Full time, part time
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- Main/Upper Pay Scale
Additional allowances
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What skills and experience we're looking for
We are seeking to appoint an inspirational and dedicated full-time Head of Science. The successful candidate will be joining our school to lead one of our most effective and respected departments, working and collaborating with an exceptionally committed and talented team of practitioners.
Our Science department’s results are consistently excellent and have been a major contributing factor to the exceptional whole school outcomes that St John’s has achieved in recent years. At GCSE we deliver both the Double and Triple Science qualifications, and at Key Stage 5 we offer A levels in Biology, Chemistry & Physics as well as Level 3 Vocational qualifications in Applied Science and Medical Science (new from September 2026).
This is a really exciting time to be joining our school and to have the opportunity of leading an enthusiastic, forward-thinking and supportive team. Applications are invited from committed and passionate Science specialists with successful leadership experience, who are excited by the opportunity to play a key role within our thriving Catholic community. We are looking for a committed and talented practitioner who can bring the best out of others – staff and students alike.
What the school offers its staff
- Additional October Holiday (ensuring staff have a two week break in October in order to refresh and recuperate during the longest two terms of the academic year)
- Support Line and Wellbeing App (providing a free confidential helpline available 7 days a week, 365 days a year)
- Access to rewards programmes (e.g. Blue Light & Kent Rewards)
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Eye-Care (financial contribution to the cost of eye care for regular VDU users)
Flexible working opportunities
Full Time (or 4 Days per week if this is the candidate’s preference)
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
St John's is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references, Enhanced DBS check and an online social media profile check. This role includes specific safeguarding responsibilities, as defined in the job description. Our school’s dedicated Child Protection Policy can be viewed on our school website.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.
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 St John's Catholic Comprehensive
- School type
- Local authority maintained schools, Roman Catholic, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1322 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- St John's Catholic Comprehensive website
- Email address
- loneill@stj.kent.sch.uk
- Phone number
- 01474 534718
St John’s is a very successful co-ed Catholic school with over 1300 pupils including over 350 students in our Sixth Form. We have a very strong Catholic ethos and pride ourselves in being a 'warm and welcoming learning environment', something that was externally recognised in our most recent Catholic Schools Inspection (CSI), in March 2026, where we once again achieved 'Outstanding Catholic School' status. Our recent Section 8 Inspection stated that - Pupils flourish in this inclusive school because staff provide high-quality care; Staff are consistently clear with their high expectations and Important values such as ‘excellence for all’ and ‘service to others’ underpin the ambitious culture in place. The school’s 2024 Progress 8 score of +0.11 was the seventh consecutive examination year where the school achieved a positive score on this key performance measure, and is a wonderful reflection of the talented and dedicated students and staff we have at the school.
Arranging a visit to St John's Catholic Comprehensive
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email loneill@stj.kent.sch.uk.
School location
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