Science Teacher required for August

An innovative nationally acclaimed educational establishment whose policy is embedded in student centred learning, underpinned by a structured framework of assessment that has differentiation and personalisation at its heart. Opened in 1991, it has consistently appeared in the top rank of state comprehensive schools. In 2011, for another successive year all students in Year 11 achieved five or more GCSEs graded A* - C with 37% gaining A*/A grades. 84% of students achieved five higher grade GCSE passes (grades A* - C) including English and maths. In Year 13 students achieved 100% pass rate with 68% gaining A*/A or B grades.



The school has exceptionally high standards and works hard to preserve the ethos which places the student at the heart of everything. The OfSTED report of January 2011 confirmed its outstanding reputation and highlighted amongst other aspects the positive relationships between staff and students and the outstanding learning opportunities available to them. In September 2011, the Academy was designated as one of the first national Teaching Schools, this status affords considerable opportunities for professional development and progression for all staff.



The Department

A team of four technicians supports the teaching of fourteen science teachers. Learning takes place in a block of ten modern purpose built laboratories. Four of these are designed to accommodate two double classes. All laboratories have recently been enhanced to provide excellent facilities including built in video and Internet access and interactive white boards. There are two preparation rooms and associated storerooms. Additionally, the department benefits from whole Academy facilities, which include a modern lecture theatre, video and digital cameras, video conferencing suite and a library/resource centre. To fully involve them in their learning students are provided with a programme of study at the beginning of each term. Their work is carefully monitored and assessed regularly to help with target setting and further development.



Courses

Science is treated as a core subject. The department provides:



■A two-year Key Stage 3 science course written for our Year 7 & 8 students based around termly themes, but which follows the QCA scheme of work.

■A flexible Key Stage 4 double science course based upon the OCR GCSE Gateway science suite. The majority of students take biology, chemistry and physics as separate sciences, with the most able completing these courses in Year 10. A small number of students follow the GCSE science route for one year and then transfer to the OCR National Level 2 for the subsequent year.

■Applied science for some Year 9 students, completed over three years;

■AS science for the most able students in Year 11;

■A Levels in biology (SNAB), Salters chemistry, advancing physics and health and social care.

Students also have open access to study areas equipped with PC computers. Two study areas are situated within the department each equipped with ten computers. There are over four hundred computers available for student use.