Job Title: Head of Chemistry
Hours of Work: Full time
Reports to: Deputy Head Academic
Start Date: September 2025
The Headmaster and CEO of Eltham College family of Schools is seeking to appoint an inspirational and highly professional Head of Chemistry. The position of Head of Chemistry involves responsibility for the delivery of the teaching of Chemistry which is currently taught throughout Years 7-11 as a core subject, and as an option subject at A-level.
In addition to the base salary, the post comes with a Responsibility Allowance.
Department
The Chemistry department is a popular department, attracting pupils of high calibre at A-Level. Many Chemistry students go on to study related subjects at university. In recent years, we have had particular success with applications to study Chemistry, Medicine, Natural Sciences and Material Sciences/Chemical Engineering.
At GCSE, we teach Edexcel iGCSE separate award Chemistry, and we currently use the AQA examination board at A Level. The vast majority of pupils will take separate sciences with a small number of students entered for the double award IGCSE instead and in both cases, they will be taught by specialists for each subject. Results in recent years have been very good. For Chemistry GCSE, our three-year average has seen almost 90% of candidates achieving 9, 8 or 7 grades. At A level, results are strong again with a three-year average of 60% of candidates achieving A* to A grade.
As part of the GCSE and A level courses, our students attend lecture days and events including Science Live and the Royal Society Summer Exhibition. Our pupils participate in the Chemistry Challenge and International Chemistry Olympiad, with recent students achieving Gold, Silver and Bronze awards all competitions.
The science faculty also runs a successful Medical Society, which helps pupils to equip themselves with the necessary skills to study medical related degrees. Activities include group discussions, talks from outside speakers and practice interview sessions. This year the Chemistry department has taken the lead in offering Bronze and Silver Crest Awards, and there is a Further Chemistry group investigating techniques beyond the A level syllabus.
The Chemistry department is well resourced with four full-time teaching staff and well supported by a full and part-time Chemistry technician across four dedicated laboratories which are fully equipped and part of a £7m rolling programme of ongoing refurbishment, extension and upgrades to facilities. Chemistry is a forward-thinking department, and we are always exploring ways to promote and enhance the excellent teaching which goes on. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to continuously develop ideas and resources.
Eltham College is a highly successful independent day school in south-east London, educating boys and girls aged 7 to 18 across both Junior and Senior Schools. The College has grown considerably over recent years: there are now over 800 students in the Senior School and around 260 pupils in the Junior School and places are heavily oversubscribed. Since 2020, girls have been able to join Years 3 and 7, mirroring the Sixth Form which has been coeducational for over 45 years. The school places an equal emphasis on academic, pastoral and co-curricular excellence and has an outstanding reputation in all three areas as well as for the friendly, unpretentious nature of daily life.
A highly competitive salary is available, together with a clear programme of staff development and opportunities for promotion. Accommodation may also be available.
Application closing date: 8am on Monday 24 February 2025
Interviews to take place on Wednesday 5 or 6 March 2025
(Suitable candidates may be interviewed before the closing date and Eltham College reserves the right to withdraw the position if an early appointment is made).
We welcome applications from all parts of our community as we aspire to attract staff that match the social and cultural diversity of our student intake. Candidates will be assessed against relevant criteria only (i.e. skills, qualifications, abilities, experience).
Eltham College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants undergo enhanced child protection screening relevant to the post, including checks with past employers and the DBS.