Lead Practitioner - Science (Chemistry or Physics Specialism)

The Cottesloe School, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, LU7 0NY

22 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026

• Closing date

  15 April 2026 at 10am

• Date listed

  24 March 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Subjects: Chemistry, Physics
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £60,443.00 - £63,381.00 Annually (Actual) Lead Practitioner Scale 7-9

Lead Practitioner - Science (Chemistry or Physics Specialism) job summary

Are you an exceptional Science practitioner ready to step into a brand-new role and help shape the future of teaching and learning across a thriving school?

At The Cottesloe School, we are incredibly proud of our strong academic foundation and the fantastic achievements of our students. As a forward-thinking school, we are always looking for ways to innovate and push the boundaries of outstanding teaching even further. We are now seeking a visionary Lead Practitioner of Science to join us in doing exactly that.

As the very first Lead Practitioner in our school's history, this is a unique and exciting opportunity to define the role from day one. You will champion excellence within an already successful Science department, whilst playing a pivotal part in collaborating with the wider Teaching and Learning team to share best practice across the whole school.

Our core vision is to help students Prepare, Aspire, and Succeed. By introducing this newly created position, we are investing in our staff and students to ensure our Science provision remains at the absolute cutting edge of educational research and pedagogy. As our Lead Practitioner, you will be a driving force for innovation, modelling consistently high-quality practice, delivering expert coaching, and fostering a collaborative environment of continuous professional growth.

The Role As our first Lead Practitioner for Science, you will:

• Model pedagogical excellence by being an expert at KS5 in your specialism (Chemistry or Physics), demonstrating exceptional classroom teaching that inspires both students and colleagues.
• Shape teaching and learning by sustaining and developing high-quality teaching across the Science department, whilst actively contributing to the wider Teaching and Learning team.
• Champion inclusive practice by adapting pedagogical approaches and producing high-quality, inclusive resources to ensure the Science curriculum is robust and accessible to all students, especially our disadvantaged students including those with SEND.
• Develop a high-performing team through the leadership of the professional development of Science staff, using evidence-informed practice and data analytically to identify training opportunities, and provide expert mentoring and coaching to teachers at all career stages.
• Maximise student outcomes: Take a lead role in analysing student progress data and implementing strategic, bespoke interventions to ensure every single child is supported to reach their full potential within Science.

About You You are an ambitious, highly effective Science specialist in either Chemistry or Physics, with a relevant degree and a proven track record of delivering outstanding outcomes. You possess the educational foresight to see the fantastic potential this brand-new role offers, and the leadership skills to bring your vision to life. With experience in successfully leading CPD and an in-depth understanding of the KS4 and KS5 Science curriculum, you are passionate about making Science accessible, exciting, and rigorous. You also bring strong pastoral experience, acting as a positive role model and an outstanding Form Tutor.

Join Us This is a rare opportunity to leave a lasting mark on a successful, ambitious school by embedding a brand-new role. You will have the autonomy to shape teaching and learning strategies and the full support of a leadership team committed to investing in their staff.

Please contact Mrs Louise Baldwin, Head of School, for an informal conversation about the role or to arrange a visit: lbaldwin@cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk

Deadline for applications via MyNewTerm: 9.00am Wednesday 15 April 2026.

Interviews will take place on Monday 20 April 2026.

We reserve the right to interview and appoint before the closing date, so early applications are encouraged.

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

The Cottesloe School is committed to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people. and all staff, volunteers and governors are expected to share this commitment, to follow the school’s safeguarding policies and procedures and to behave appropriately towards children and young people at all times both in work and in their personal lives.

Offers of employment will be subject to Enhanced DBS clearance, satisfactory teacher status, qualification, online searches, health and reference checks as part of our Safer Recruitment Policy. The school has a policy of renewing all DBS checks every five years.

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 The Cottesloe School

• School type: Local authority maintained school, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1141 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: The Cottesloe School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-cottesloe-school

While our postal address is Leighton Buzzard, and our postcode is LU, our school is actually situated in the picturesque rural village of Wing, in Buckinghamshire. Situated close to the border with Bedfordshire, we offer a vibrant and inspiring learning environment in a peaceful setting.

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