Harris Federation
Head of Science
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We are currently looking to appoint a dedicated and inspiring Head of Science to join and lead our Science Department, supporting our excellent students, promoting fresh thinking, creativity, and ingenuity.
This full-time, permanent position is available for a January 2027 start. The successful candidate will have QTS and strong subject knowledge teaching up to and including KS5, with middle leadership experience desirable. As Head of the Science Department, you'll lead the department to continued success, whilst being responsible for shaping curriculum delivery, raising standards, and instilling a lifelong love for all things science in your students across all key stages.
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION.
WORKING WITH US
At Harris Academy Orpington, we have worked hard to create an environment where we look after and care for each other. Whilst being incredibly rewarding, working in schools can sometimes be hard. Colleagues at Harris Academy Orpington know that we work together as a team and we look out for each other; the environment here is one of care, nurture, and support, along with a bit of challenge!
Harris Academy Orpington opened in September 2016, joining the highly successful Federation of Harris academies in London and the senior leaders here are experienced in creating and running great schools and that is what we are doing in BR5. We are a community school that serves families in and around Orpington and we are well on our way towards providing an outstanding education for the students who come here. We want our students to succeed and have choices in their lives; to take control of their futures and achieve beyond their dreams. We are ambitious, tenacious, and enterprising and committed to helping our students succeed. Our work as a Health Science Specialist school, with students being given access to recognised professional qualifications, work experience, and careers is unique and is designed to help and support the whole community who are regularly invited into the Academy to hear from guest speakers.
We have the most incredible facilities; with brand new science labs, 3 Main Halls, Dance Studios, 3 Astro Turfs, Drama Studios, dedicated Art and DT blocks, we are incredibly proud of the work that our students do here. We have developed a curriculum that is ambitious and broad. We believe in the need to nurture an appreciation of human creativity and achievement and have designed a curriculum that does just that.
We aim to ensure that every student is inspired and supported to achieve his/her personal best and learning comes first. Our motto is “Together We Can” and if you are interested in joining us, we would be very keen to meet you.
MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
The purpose of your role will be:
- To be accountable for leading, managing, and developing the subject area.
- To raise standards of student attainment and achievement within the whole subject/curriculum area and to monitor and support student progress.
- To ensure the provision of an appropriately broad, balanced, relevant, and differentiated curriculum for students studying in the department, in accordance with the aims of the academy and the curricular policies determined by the Governing Body and Principal.
- To teach the relevant subject across the age and ability range.
- To facilitate and encourage a learning experience which provides students with the opportunity to achieve their individual potential.
- To effectively manage and deploy staff, financial, and physical resources within the department.
- To share and support the school's responsibility to provide and monitor opportunities for personal and academic growth.
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Your main areas of responsibility will fall under the areas of:
- Operational and strategic planning (including formulating the subject and faculty improvement plans, and leading the development of appropriate syllabuses, resources, schemes of work, marking policies, assessment, and teaching strategies)
- Ensuring the delivery of an appropriate, comprehensive, high quality, and cost-effective curriculum and leading development of the subject and its delivery
- Staff development (including recruiting, building, and managing an effective team of motivated staff)
- Student outcomes (including ensuring the effective operation of target setting, monitoring and evaluation systems, and the input and maintenance of accurate student data)
- Pastoral system (including being a form tutor to a selected group of students)
- Teaching, including acting as an outstanding role model
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We would like to hear from you if you:
- Hold QTS (or equivalent) and a relevant undergraduate degree, and, ideally, management training
- Demonstrate successful teaching of GCSE at good or better level
- Have experience of initiation and effective management of change
- Show evidence of raising achievement in present post and showing good value added for groups
- Have knowledge of current curriculum developments in subject and their implications
- Have good knowledge and understanding of current educational thinking
- Show good understanding of how children learn and how to raise standards of achievement
- Have good communication skills in speech and writing
- Display excellent organisational skills
- Are able to build and sustain professional standards and relationships with students
- Are able to contribute towards creating a safe and protective environment
For a full job description and person specification, please download the Job Pack.
APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION
Thank you for your interest in this position. If you would like to discuss this opportunity, or to request a visit, please email the academy via the Why work page on harriscareers.
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Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. This will help you when completing your application, and throughout the recruitment process.
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
Teacher Development
At Harris, we have curated professional development pathways that will guide you towards achieving your career ambitions. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. With a strong network of passionate educators, expert development initiatives, and a multitude of opportunities for career progression, your journey with Harris could be the most rewarding one yet.
We offer a wide range of high-quality teacher professional development programmes via the Harris Institute of Teaching and Leadership. Find out more here.
Flexible Working
We are committed to fostering a positive and supportive working environment for our staff, recognising that achieving a balance between professional and personal responsibilities is essential. We understand that each individual's circumstances are unique, which is why we offer flexible working options that can be adapted to meet the needs of both the academy and our employees.
Benefits
In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance (usually £2,000 for Inner London and £1,500 for Outer London), an Annual Loyalty Bonus, Teachers Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan, Employee Assistance Programme, and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.
Safeguarding Notice
The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.
Equal Opportunities
The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable, and mutually supportive learning and working environment.
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