Lead Practitioner in Science

Whickham School, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE16 5AR

8 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2026

• Closing date

  15 May 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  7 May 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £52026 - £57426

What skills and experience we're looking for

You're an expert Science teacher who:

• Has the vision to see beyond your own classroom to whole-school impact

• Thrives on developing others and seeing them succeed

• Grounds your practice in evidence and research, not just "what works for me"

• Can teach confidently across KS3-KS5

• Understands that great teaching is about relationships, high expectations, and relentless focus on progress

What the school offers its staff

Your work-life balance matters to us:

• Dedicated collaborative planning time – one hour every fortnight with your subject team

• Reduced teaching allocation so you can focus on development and coaching

• Flexible approach to work-life balance considerations

• Access to fitness facilities outside school hours

We invest in your growth:

• Work with our established team of lead practitioners shaping whole-school practice

• Leadership development opportunities that are meaningful, not just box-ticking

• Evidence-based CPD that actually makes a difference

The practical benefits:

• Salary sacrifice schemes including bicycle and electric vehicle leasing

• Higher priority for your children's admission to our heavily oversubscribed school

• Modern, outstanding science facilities to work with

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

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

Lead Practitioner Science advert (2).docx - 11.6 KB (opens in new tab)

Lead practitioner Job Description (5) (2).docx - 11.3 KB (opens in new tab)

Lead Practitioner Person Specification (5) (2).docx - 20.1 KB (opens in new tab)

About Whickham School

• School type: Academies, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1721 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Whickham School website
• Email address: aross@whickhamschool.org
• Phone number: 0191 4960026
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/whickham-school

Whickham School is a large and successful school in Gateshead with over 1700 students including approximately 350 in our high performing sixth form.
Demand for student places is strong and the school is regularly oversubscribed. Students are organised into year groups whilst eight faculties deliver the school curriculum. The Sixth Form, which has its own dedicated facility, is an increasingly popular choice of students from all over the local area.

In January 2020 many faculties moved into a brand new, state of the art, STEAMS themed building. The stunning four storey building houses Science, Technology (plus Business and IT), Engineering, Art, Maths and Sport.

The Leadership Team meet weekly and share responsibility for policy generation, decision making, planning and the general wellbeing of the school. The relevant governing body committee is involved in strategic planning and policies from the onset. Faculty and Year groups meet every two weeks to discuss strategic issues

Arranging a visit to Whickham School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email aross@whickhamschool.org.

School location

Get a job alert when similar jobs are listed

Find more school jobs in Newcastle Upon Tyne and Tyne and Wear