Lead Practitioner – Science

Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy has an exciting opportunity for a Lead Practitioner – Science to join our established and successful team from September 2024 (or earlier). The successful candidate will have the ability to teach and lead Science across the Key Stages and will be creative, innovative, efficient and committed to raising standards. They will have excellent subject knowledge and join a motivated and dedicated team of highly collaborative teachers committed to a creative and stimulating approach to the Science curriculum. 

The overarching purpose of the role of the Lead Practitioner will be to consistently model high quality teaching and learning in the teaching of Science at KS3, KS4 and KS5, whilst also supporting as a member of the department.

This unique role provides the successful applicant with considerable scope to shape the delivery of the Science curriculum, whilst also being part of a supportive and experienced department. It is an ideal position, therefore, for an ambitious and experienced teacher who is looking to progress.

Science at Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy: The Science curriculum at SCWA is to ensure that all pupils in Science have a strong knowledge and understanding of the role and importance of Science in the modern world, while developing scientific thinking, contextual application and sophistication in scientific communication. Our desire as a team is for our curriculum to foster a desire for pupils to take Science beyond school and go into STEM based careers.

Our curriculum has been designed as a course of study where our students see the same big ideas throughout their time at SCWA, where each encounter with these big ideas increases in complexity and reinforces previous learning.

We also see that Science is a logical interconnected web of knowledge, because each part of science is connected to every other part of Science, it can be closely linked like cells and evolution, or through shared foundations like atoms, ions, electrolysis and calculating the charge passing through the electrolysis circuit. So our curriculum is taught as a subject as a whole in years 7-11 before pupils can specialise when studying KS5 subjects.

The successful candidate will receive:

• A salary commensurate with the profile of the post;
• CPD with mentoring and coaching opportunities;
• The opportunity to work laterally across a number of Leigh Academies Trust schools to benchmark best practice and to be involved in teaching and learning innovation;
• The opportunity to work in a school where behaviour is exemplary.

We would like to hear from you if you are:

• An excellent teacher who is passionate about learning and has strong subject knowledge;
• Have a high level of KS4 and KS5 teaching experience and delivery of results;
• Experienced in teaching IBCP is preferred, but not essential if you have a high level of A-Level subject knowledge;
• Collaborative, able to build strong professional relationships;
• Able to motivate and inspire students and staff to achieve their full potential;
• Energetic and have a ‘can-do’ attitude;
• Confident and has strong career aspirations;
• Committed to safeguarding and the happiness and wellbeing of everyone at the academy.

Do you know a great teacher who would like to hear about opportunities with Leigh Academies Trust? If so, make a referral today for the chance to receive £100 as a ‘thank you’. Simply complete the referral form by clicking here. T&C’s apply.

Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy (SCWA) is an academy which possesses all the essential ingredients to become a truly exceptional school.

In line with the ethos of all Leigh Academies Trust schools, our commitment to ‘human-scale’ education through a schools-within-schools model ensures every student is recognised and valued. At the heart of SCWA is robust pastoral care, which prioritises strong partnerships with parents and carers.

‘Pupils appreciate the close working relationships that they build with staff through belonging to one of the four small schools’ – OFSTED January 2023

As an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, the IB philosophy is at the heart of our curriculum. We offer the IB Middle Years Programme for Years 7-9, a programme designed to nurture happy, curious, well-rounded, independent, globally aware, and resilient students. Moreover, our students enjoy an extensive range of clubs and activities. We are one of the largest Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award providers in the South, with hundreds of students achieving Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels every year. Additionally, as one of only six state schools with a Marine Combined Cadet Force (CCF), we offer a unique experience to every pupil. 

‘A rich range of visits and activities are made available to pupils’. – OFSTED January 2023

Our dedicated and skilled team of professionals is key to transforming lives and securing the best outcomes for every student. We provide a wealth of professional development opportunities demonstrating our investment in our staff’s professional growth. 

Click here to find out more about the academy.

Being part of Leigh Academies Trust: As of 1st April 2024, our Trust comprises 32 geographically organised academies (16 secondaries, 14 primaries and 2 special) educating more than 20,000 students and employing 3,000 talented staff. Nearly 40% of our academies are judged outstanding overall by Ofsted, versus 15% nationally. The Trust is establishing four ‘clusters’ of academies: North Kent; Central Kent; South East London; Medway. In addition, the Trust is responsible for one of the region’s biggest initial teaching training organisations, a large teaching school hub and is an accredited apprenticeship provider.

Our future plans are found in our Vision 2030 document available on our website.

As part of Leigh Academies Trust, you will have ample opportunity to collaborate with your peers both within the academy and across the whole Trust. This is an important part of our vision as we know through experience that we perform better when we work together. You are supported to undertake regular self-development to continue your professional development and hopefully progress further within the organisation.

Click here to view the benefits available to all LAT employees from day one.

Our commitment to safeguarding: Leigh Academies Trust and all of our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process across all academies and business units which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates – you can read more about this in our Recruitment Guidance. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

Our commitment to equality and diversity: As a Trust, we are passionate about diversity and recognise that as individuals, we all bring something unique to the role regardless of any protected characteristics which is why we treat all of our people equally, without compromise. We are committed to providing equality and fairness throughout our recruitment and employment practices and not discriminating on any grounds.

Based on the quality and quantity of applications received, Leigh Academies Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy sooner than the specified closing date.  Applicants will be notified of this where possible.  Therefore, early applications are encouraged.