Lead Practitioner of Science

Wixams Academy, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 6BA

11 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 January 2026

• Closing date

  3 October 2025 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  22 September 2025

Job details

• Job role:
  • Pastoral, health and welfare
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: MPS/UPS

Lead Practitioner of Science job summary

Wixams Academy are recruiting a lead practitioner to join our growing school!

Wixams Academy is a comprehensive Academy serving circa (in September 2023) 950 pupils including 120 pupils in the Sixth Form. We opened in 2017 with only 80 students and continue to grow annually (with new students and staff) to 1750 students and 200 staff by 2030. we are currently working with Bedford Borough Council and the Department for Education to expand the capacity of the school to facilitate this growth. The Academy has been popular and oversubscribed since opening and we have low staff turnover. The Academy is located one mile south of Bedford town centre and has a mixed community, with broadly national composition. We have recently merged Knowledge Schools Trust (KST) to create a local hub to drive further growth in the region.

We are seeking an exceptional and motivated Lead Practitioner of Science, ideally a physicist, to play a key role in driving excellence across our school. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled and passionate teacher with the vision to inspire both students and colleagues.

The Lead Practitioner (LP) of Science will be responsible for driving the highest standards of teaching and learning within the department. They will model outstanding practice, lead on pedagogy, and work closely with the Head of Department and Second in Charge to improve student outcomes. Together with the Head of Science, the LP will oversee the quality and development of the curriculum across Key Stages 3, 4, and 5, ensuring it is ambitious, engaging, and accessible for all learners.

A key aspect of the role is leading and supporting the quality of teaching practice in the department. The successful candidate will support professional development, champion innovative and inclusive teaching strategies, and contribute to whole-school STEM initiatives, with particular emphasis on Science education.

For full details see attached the JD

interviews to take place week commencing 6 October 25.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment and safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS clearance check, Prohibition from Teaching Checks and a Section 128 Direction Check (if applicable). KST is committed to the safeguarding of the children and young people in our care and actively promotes their welfare. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. KST is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from minority groups.

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

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.

About Wixams Academy

• School type: Free School, ages 11 to 19
• Education phase: Secondary
• School size: 933 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 19
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Wixams Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/wixams-academy

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