Exeter School is the leading co-educational day school in the Southwest, educating over 1,000 pupils aged 3-18. We are looking to appoint a part-time teacher of physics and electronics to join our school, a school of great character.
For September 2025, we seek an enthusiastic, well-qualified graduate to join these strong departments. The post is approximately 50% full time. This position would be equally suited to either a newly qualified or a more experienced applicant. The applicant should be keen to contribute to the broader life of the school through cultural, sporting or other extra-curricular activities.
The electronics department is staffed by the head of electronics, and a physics and electronics teacher. The department itself is situated within the science centre which provides specialist accommodation for the three sciences, electronics and computer science. The electronics room is fully equipped including new digital oscilloscopes and signal generators, a 3D printer and two PCs. In terms of public examinations, Electronic A Level results are excellent. In 2024 83% of entrants achieved an A*/A.
Electronics is mainly taught as an A Level subject following the Eduqas specification, as well as in Year 8 as part of a carousel with Computer Science. A Level sets are small, and pupils are encouraged to learn through a process of practical experimentation. The department also runs popular lunchtime clubs for younger pupils.
The physics department is passionate about physics and aims to inspire pupils to study physics at A Level and then on to physics-related subjects at university. This is achieved through a positive and supportive environment, engaging pupils with the subject and enhancing our classroom provision with a programme of extra-curricular activities. The aim is to academically stretch those pupils who are keen to follow a physics-related path in the future whilst also fully supporting pupils who may only wish to study physics up to GCSE.
The physics department is staffed by five full-time and two part-time specialist physics teachers. Practical work, which is central to the department, is very well facilitated by three science technicians in conjunction with a Science technician coordinator. The department itself is also situated within the science centre and comprises four specialist laboratories and two preparation rooms.
In terms of public examinations, physics results are strong with 29% A* and 90% A* to B at A Level in summer 2024. Most pupils take separate sciences at IGCSE and, in summer 2024, 33% achieved grade 9s and 83% achieved grades 9-7.
A Level physics is a very popular course in school and there are currently three sets in the Lower Sixth and four sets in the Upper Sixth years. The department offers the AQA Physics specification. The vast majority of pupils continue to university, with a significant number going on to study physics or engineering at universities including Oxford and Cambridge with an increasing number of pupils also applying for competitive degree apprenticeships. The Edexcel IGCSE specification is delivered in years 9 to 11. All pupils study either separate IGCSEs in biology, chemistry and physics or IGCSE Double Award Science. In both cases, pupils receive three periods of physics per week. At Key Stage 3, the course is designed by the department and aims to provide enhanced coverage of the National Curriculum. In years 7 and 8, pupils receive one double lesson per week. Finally, the department provides specialist physics teaching for pupils in year 6 at Exeter Junior School.
The department offers an extensive range of extra-curricular activities for pupils, ranging from a Year 7 STEM Club to Science Society with talks for older years. There are weekly physics extension sessions for the Sixth Form and a many pupils take part in Intermediate Challenge, Senior Challenge and Physics Olympiad competitions. Pupils also have opportunities such as planetarium dome shows, CanSat and trips such as the South West IOP Festival of Physics, GCSE Science Live, Hinkley Point, the Norman Lockyer Observatory and recently a Sixth Form trip to CERN. The department also has two telescopes and is developing its astronomy and astrophysics society.
Exeter School is currently the hub school for the Exeter and East Devon Ogden Physics Partnership; a group of eight schools aiming to promote physics within the region. Sixth Form pupils also run masterclasses for local primary schools as part of the Royal Institution Masterclass programme.
The closing date for applications is Monday 10 February 2025 at noon. We anticipate that interviews will be held on Friday 14 February 2025 .
The role will attract a competitive salary as well as generous benefits including employer pension contribution, free school lunch during term time, free on-site parking, discretionary staff discount on school fees and use of indoor swimming pool and fitness suite.
Exeter School is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from any appropriately qualified person. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Employment is subject to the receipt of two satisfactory references provided specifically for this post and addressed to the school, and to satisfactory DBS clearance.
This post falls into the category of Regulated Activity. Exeter School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.