Lead Practitioner - Science
Lincroft Academy, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK43 7RE41 days remaining to apply
Start date details
September 2026
Closing date
22 April 2026 at 10am
Date listed
12 March 2026
Job details
Job role
- Assistant headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £51,773.00 - £57,137.00 Annually (FTE)
Lead Practitioner - Science job summary
Lead Practitioner - Science
Lincroft Academy
Salary: Leadership Band 1 Point 1-5
Contract: Full time, Permanent
Start Date: September 2026
At Lincroft Academy, our community thrives on the values of CARE - Community, Aspiration, Respect and Excellence. We are proud to offer a rare and exciting opportunity for an exceptional Lead Practitioner in Science to join our ambitious Senior Leadership team.
This role is perfect for a strong leader who is passionate about shaping high‑quality teaching and learning, supporting whole‑school improvement, and making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people.
As Lead Practitioner - Science, you will:
- Model our CARE values and inspirational expert teaching within Science and across the wider curriculum.
- Work within the Quality of Education Team to drive whole‑school improvements in teaching and learning, raising standards for every student.
- Promote research‑informed practice and contribute to strategic thinking.
- Design and deliver high‑impact professional development, coaching and mentoring.
- Support curriculum development with the Curriculum Leads.
- Shape and contribute to the Whole School Development Plan.
- Maintain regular, high‑quality classroom teaching and pastoral responsibilities within our vertical tutoring system.
You are:
- Someone who CAREs
- An outstanding Science teacher with excellent subject and curriculum expertise.
- Passionate about pedagogy, professional development and research‑led teaching.
- A positive and collaborative colleague who builds strong relationships with staff, students and families.
- Committed to inclusion, safeguarding and maintaining the highest expectations for behaviour and achievement.
- Reflective, resilient and proactive, with a desire to continually develop yourself and others.
What We Offer You
At Lincroft Academy, CARE is our culture. When you join us, you join a team committed to being the best we can be:
- A highly supportive senior leadership team who value your expertise.
- Opportunities to lead meaningful, whole‑school improvement.
- A culture of research‑informed practice and continuous development.
- Access to trust‑wide professional networks, CPD and leadership opportunities.
- A collaborative, supportive staff body committed to student achievement.
- Brand new facilities opening May/June 2026, to include 2 new laboratories and a Science preparation room, in addition to the 6 refurbished laboratories and preparation room we already enjoy. We are also fortunate for each member of the Science team to have the use of their own room.
About Lincroft Academy -
I am very proud to be Principal at Lincroft Academy. At Lincroft Academy, we CARE. Our values of Community, Aspiration, Respect and Excellence are the foundation of who we are. Within our vibrant learning community, we share a common goal; to be the best we can be. At Lincroft, we maintain high expectations and standards in everything we do, ensuring that our students receive the best possible education. We commit to educating, inspiring and supporting our students so that they can become exceptional learners, confident and empowered to make a rewarding contribution to society.
Our curriculum is designed to build upon the foundation laid in primary school, preparing our students for post-16 education. High-quality teaching enables our students to achieve very well. Lincroft Academy now has some of the highest performing GCSE outcomes in Bedford and are above the national average. Whilst we take immense pride in our students’ achievements, we remain committed to continuous improvement.
Lincroft Academy is a fully comprehensive, high-quality learning environment, with inclusion at the heart. We CARE that every child at Lincroft Academy is known, valued and supported to be the best they can be. Our foremost priority is to create a safe and nurturing environment where students thrive. We promote kindness, respect and manners, just as families do at home, so that our students can become good adult citizens. Students at Lincroft are well supported through our House System because they work with the same team of staff throughout their Lincroft journey. This system of support fosters belonging, ensures students are known well and strengthens relationships and communication with families. Our 5 Pillars of Inclusion allow us to provide tailored support to students, regardless of their background or needs, and our ARC specialist provision provides the very best expertise to support our children with Autism.
Working alongside each other, being supportive and caring is integral to who we are. Our partnership with parents and carers is highly valued and we know that this is an essential part of a positive educational experience for our students.
Our staff are absolutely committed to the education of our students; they are passionate, dedicated and many of them send their children here too. Some of our ex-students now teach here. This speaks volumes about the sense of community at Lincroft. The opportunities provided at Lincroft are broad and many and, even then, continue to grow; from sports to the arts, business and careers - our curriculum extends very much outside the classroom. Our students consistently excel in sports and the arts, enhancing our strong reputation in these areas.
We are proud to be part of Meridian Trust, who look after more than 30 academies including many in Bedfordshire. We have access to extensive knowledge, expertise and resource, not just at Lincroft, but across the entire Meridian network. This broader community provides our students with additional opportunities and experiences alongside their peers from other academies. This has also opened up investment opportunities to help modernise the school building and facilities.
As a parent of two children myself, I am personally committed to ensuring that the education we deliver at Lincroft is nothing less than I would accept for my own children. Lincroft Academy is a place where we CARE that every child has the opportunity to realise their potential.
We warmly welcome you to our community.
Emma Appadoo, Principal
About Meridian Trust -
Meridian Trust is a values-led organisation formed in 2011 that has risen to be one of the highest-performing academy trusts in the country. The Trust is founded on its commitment to a high-quality educational provision for all at the heart of local communities. Meridian currently operates primary, secondary and special schools across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.
Meridian Trust offers a wealth of fantastic benefits for teaching and support staff which are highlighted below but are not limited to -
- Apprenticeship and CPD opportunities which allow you to gain specialist knowledge in a role you are passionate about developing in
- Opportunity to jump start your career in teaching through our dedicated Initial Teacher Training Team (ITT)
- Support for mental health and wellbeing through our Employee Assistance Programme and other resources
- Cycle to work scheme
- Defined benefit local government or Teacher’s pension scheme
- Healthcare benefits including free eye test vouchers and flu vaccinations
- Free on-site parking
- Discounts on a wide range of benefits from everyday essentials to holidays
To explore our full range of benefits, please visit https://www.meridiantrust.co.uk/jobs-and-training/benefits/.
For more information about the role please download the Applicant Information Pack below.
Closing date for applications: 9am Wednesday 22nd April 2026
Interviews will be held on: Thursday 30th April 2026
Meridian Trust reserves the right to close the applications early in the event that a suitable candidate is sourced. Applications will be reviewed as received so please apply early to avoid disappointment.
The Trust is committed to diversity and inclusion and equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments will be subject to pre-employment checks, including an enhanced check with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS), as well as online searches.
Further information about the job
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.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Lincroft Academy
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 16
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 931 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Lincroft Academy website
School location
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