What skills and experience we're looking for
• Core Purpose: to provide inspirational teaching of Science in order to promote the highest standards of learning, progress and achievement from students of all abilities in all 3 key stages, both within the formal examined curriculum and in extra-curricular events and activities.
• Planning
o Plan lessons and sequences of lessons in order to build and secure subject knowledge and skills
o Appropriately adapt lessons to ensure that students of all abilities and learning styles learn effectively and make maximum progress
o Design opportunities for students to develop their literacy, numeracy, ICT and thinking and learning skills
• Teaching and Learning
o Teach Science across the age and ability range, as required by the Headteacher
o Teach challenging and motivating lessons which inspire students to learn and to make progress to their full ability
o Follow departmental policy for teaching, learning and assessment
o Establish and maintain a safe, well-ordered and purposeful learning environment in which everyone is treated with dignity and respect
o Maintain the highest standards of student behaviour in the classroom in order to support effective learning and progress
• Student Achievement
o To promote the highest standards of achievement from all students taught
o Ensure that all students have attainment targets as required by the whole-school target-setting policy
o Ensure that effective monitoring and tracking of student progress towards their targets is carried out, according to whole-school policy
o Be accountable for student progress and attainment within the classes taught and develop the most effective strategies in order to secure improvements where necessary
o Ensure that all reasonable measures are taken to ensure the achievement of agreed targets for the classes taught
o Ensure that student behaviour and appearance supports learning within all classes taught and conforms to agreed school policy, contributing to high standards across the school
o Ensure that the lessons contribute to developing students’ understanding of their roles as citizens of the school and the local, national and global community
• Resource Management
o Manage classroom resources efficiently and effectively in order to support the highest standards of learning.
6. General
o Work effectively as a member of the subject and year teams and share in the development and spread of good practice
o Contribute to the development of schemes of work, learning resources and departmental policies as reasonably required by the Subject Leader
o Keep up-to-date with developments in teaching and learning strategies appropriate to the subject, maintain a deep and extensive subject knowledge and an enquiring approach to the subject
o Where appointed as a form tutor, be a caring and supportive form tutor able to support students’ learning, progress and achievements
o Attend and participate in routine meetings as required
o Contribute to the school’s extra-curricular programme and our links with the wider community
o Actively support agreed school policies and ensure their effective implementation where relevant
o Carry out tasks as reasonably requested by the Headteacher
What the school offers its staff
We warmly welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, as we believe diversity enriches our teaching and inspires our students to thrive in an inclusive learning environment.
Relationships between students and staff are excellent at Waddesdon. The most recent SIAMS inspection (March 2018) celebrated this in the following way:
“Relationships are shaped by the focus on the twin values of dignity and respect. There is a palpable sense of Waddesdon being a safe and secure place to be, of a community built on good humour, mutual support and love of self and neighbour; this is seen in lessons and around the school.”
The school is equally strong in terms of results, with Progress 8 scores consistently “Well Above Average”. Progress 8 for Science is exceptional (1.0).
Waddesdon School is an oversubscribed all ability 11-18 school, set in rural Buckinghamshire. The school is 30 minutes away from Oxford and also within easy commuting distance from Milton Keynes. There are just over 1000 students on roll, including 300 in the Sixth Form. The school has an excellent reputation for CPD and recognises and values the contributions of all staff.
There are realistic expectations regarding balancing family and leisure time and workload. Governors have recently changed the Admissions Policy to include children of staff members.
We encourage you to contact the school for a phone conversation and to discuss your interest in the post. The description of the department, the OfSTED and SIAMS reports, and our termly newsletter, Waddesdon Voice, will give you a flavour of the culture and ethos of our school and the department. Testimonials from our staff about the culture and ethos of our school can be found on our website in our ‘Working at Waddesdon’ section.
Depending on circumstances, there may be the chance to extend your contract.
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.