17 days remaining to apply

  • Start date details

    September 2026

  • Closing date

    9 February 2026 at 11:59pm

  • Date listed

    22 January 2026

Job details

Job role

  • Head of year or phase
  • 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

Contract type

Permanent

Pay scale

Leadership scale based on experience

What skills and experience we're looking for

Since opening in 2021, Leigh Academy Rainham has grown into a forward-thinking school with a reputation for excellence. We are excited to invite applications for a Lead Practitioner - Science to join our team from September 2026. Don't miss this great opportunity to elevate your leadership career and drive excellence in science teaching!

About You:

We seek a dynamic and highly effective Science specialist who is passionate about their subject and committed to pedagogical innovation.You will demonstrate the ability to model outstanding teaching and inspire students to develop a profound curiosity for the natural world, scientific inquiry, and technological advancement.

As a Lead Practitioner, you must be an excellent communicator, capable of mentoring colleagues, driving evidence-based practice in the lab, and shaping the strategic development of a rigorous and engaging Science curriculum.

What the school offers its staff

Why join us?

  • Be part of a welcoming, inclusive, and values-driven school

  • Work in a modern, purpose-built learning environment

  • Join a team that values collaboration, wellbeing, and professional growth

  • Receive high-quality training and development through Leigh Academies Trust

Plus, enjoy great staff benefits, including:

  • Local Government Pension Scheme

  • Enhanced family-friendly policies

  • Employee Assistance Programme

  • 24/7 access to a free virtual GP Service

  • Wellbeing support and staff recognition initiatives

  • Free onsite parking

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 commitment to safeguarding: Leigh Academies Trust and all of our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair, robust, consistent recruitment process across all academies and business units which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. Including online checks for shortlisted candidates - you can read more about this in our Recruitment Guidance. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

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)

Upload additional documents

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

About Leigh Academy Rainham

School type
Free School, ages 11 to 19
Education phase
Secondary school
School size
793 pupils enrolled
Age range
11 to 19
Ofsted report
View Ofsted report

In September 2021, we opened our doors to the 180 founding students of our co educational comprehensive school for 11-18 year olds. Already oversubscribed, our new school is firmly set to be a beacon of excellence for secondary education in Medway. The wellbeing and success of each individual child is at the heart of everything and we are driven by the belief that it is our role to ensure all pupils develop an appreciation of the limitless possibilities ahead of them. Every learner is entitled to an enriching, varied and personalised education; delivered through a broad and balanced curriculum that provides challenge, irrespective of need, starting point or background. It is our ambition that in our highly inclusive setting, all our students will flourish, becoming inquiring, compassionate and culturally aware young adults. We will work together to embed the essential skills, knowledge and attributes needed to be highly successful in achieving their own personal goals, as caring members of our community and as leaders in tomorrow’s world.

Our strong learning community works together and shares the value of collaboration; every member of our academy family works together to achieve success, cultivating a strong sense of belonging. Our belief in human-scale education, delivered through our college model, ensures every one of our students is known and valued. Strong pastoral care is at the heart of our academy and we place great importance on building strong partnerships with parents and carers.

Working in a brand new school is a unique opportunity. A flexible approach with a can-do ethos is required, as is drive, grit and boundless enthusiasm. We will be looking to recruit a staff body that has a multitude of talents to enable us to provide a rich academic and co-curricular offer from the outset and look forward to hearing what additional skills, talents and interests you could bring to a role at the Academy. A sense of humour is also essential!

Arranging a visit to Leigh Academy Rainham

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email joinus@latrust.org.uk.

School location

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