Brighton College is seeking to appoint a Teacher of Chemistry to start in late August 2025.
THE DEPARTMENT
Since January 2020 the department has been based in Brighton’s new £55 million School of Science and Sport. Amongst a host of other world-class facilities, the building includes six dedicated laboratory spaces for chemistry, and ample administrative and technical workspace for staff. The department has nine full-time members of teaching staff (including a Head of Department and Deputy Head of Department) and a dedicated technician. The team come from a wide variety of backgrounds, including industry and academic research (through which some hold doctorates).
THE CURRICULUM
The subject is taught throughout Years 7 to 13. GCSE cohorts average around 210 pupils, with around 80 pupils per year group selecting the subject at A-level. It has consistently been the second most popular A-level subject at the College in recent years behind maths and has a very even gender split, with girls being in a very slight majority. At present we follow the Edexcel syllabuses for both the reformed 9-1 GCSE and A-level. Public examination results in recent years have been outstanding, achieving 89% 9-8 at GCSE (including 63% 9), and 86% A*-A (including 61% A*) at A-level in 2024.
The department also has a comprehensive Oxbridge programme, with much recent success in this area: in the last four years a total of 21 pupils have left to study Chemistry or Natural Sciences at Oxbridge. Extension and enrichment activities abound in the department. Each year over 50 pupils take part in the RSC Olympiad and Cambridge Chemistry Challenge; both have seen a record number of ‘gold’ and ‘roentgenium’ awards, respectively.
Significant success is also achieved further down the school. In 2024 the Brighton College team was crowned national champions of the RSC Top of the Bench competition, and in each of the past five years a team of pupils have made it to the regional final of the Year 10 Chemistry Challenge. Weekly extension clubs for KS3, KS4 and KS5 pupils are also extremely well attended. Overall, Chemistry is one of the most vibrant and dynamic departments at the College.
ROLE SPECIFCATION
An ability to contribute towards the department’s extension programme, including a willingness to support pupils with applications to leading universities (including Oxford and Cambridge), will be a distinct advantage.
All teachers within the department are expected to assist in the development of schemes of work, as well as in the creation of teaching resources and the compilation of content for our Microsoft OneNote Notebooks and SharePoint.
Additionally, all teachers at Brighton College are expected to contribute to the school’s pastoral system, generally as a tutor in one of our 15 houses (of which six are boarding houses and nine are day). There is also an expectation that all teachers will contribute to the co-curricular life of the school, through the extensive Games programme, and/or through the leadership of one of almost 100 school societies. Candidates are encouraged to point to interests and enthusiasms as part of their application.
All staff have the opportunity to contribute to our super-curricular Masterclass programme; this a is a series of sessions focussing on an area of personal academic or cultural interest. These have included subjects such as Magical Realism, Cuisine and Culture and Great Debates in History.
All teachers joining Brighton will have the benefit of guidance by an experienced mentor, whose role it will be to provide support during their probationary period. Thereafter, all teachers are expected and supported to participate in continuous professional development, throughout their time at the College.
Safeguarding responsibilities:
• This role will involve daily contact with pupils and you will be engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.
• All staff and volunteers have a responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for who you are responsible and with whom you come into contact.