Warning - This Vacancy is now Closed!

Psychology Teacher - Part-time

Dartford Grammar School, Dartford

  • Ref:KCC886-5406-329T
  • Posted:07/02/2023
  • Pay:(MPS/UPS + LFA)
  • Start Date:September 2023
  • App Close Date:27/02/2023 at 09:00
  • Interviews:TBC

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The Psychology Department is a hard-working, committed team of professionals who work together effectively and enthusiastically. Each member of the Department is encouraged to take an active part in decision and policy making regarding initiatives, strategies, enrichment and resources. 

The subject is only offered in Key Stage 5 and all students follow the IB Diploma syllabus with its emphasis on the IB Learner Profile. Only the Higher Level course is offered with five lessons a week given per student. Results in public examinations are outstandingly good. Students cover core knowledge in Biological, Cognitive and Sociocultural Psychology in Paper 1, which then leads to them developing specialist knowledge in applied areas of Abnormal and Health Psychology in Paper 2. In addition students conduct their own simple experiment and write a scientific report for their Internal Assessment and look at qualitative research methods for Paper 3. 

The department has devised their own course handbooks which work instead of textbooks as these have been found to lack relevant detail and contain errors. To support learning in lessons there is a well-stocked range of textbooks, academic resource books and other practical resources. The Library and computer rooms can also be booked. Psychology teaching takes place in the Sixth Form Centre and all classrooms have whiteboards with the ability to play digital files. 

Alongside the well-developed induction course provided by the school for newly qualified teachers, the Department will mentor new colleagues, offering support in lesson planning, assessment and management skills. Resources are shared within an ethos of mutual assistance. 

The Department has a high profile within the Sixth Form and sees healthy numbers of students opting to study Psychology, with many going onto study it at university. This popularity is further seen in the high number of students opting to complete their Extended Essay in Psychology. This involves students picking a topic of their choice, conducting independent research and completing a 4,000 word research project supervised by a subject specialist. The department has offered a wide range of extra-curricular activities as and when they are available including lectures; both inside and outside of school, participation in research studies and trips to local universities libraries to aid research for the Extended Essay. There have also been a number of cross-curricular Gifted and Talented initiatives ran by the department including Y8 Sport Psychology sessions and Psychology and MFL sessions for Years 9 and 10. 

We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic, well-qualified and knowledgeable teacher to join the Department and to contribute to its work. A flexible, innovative and imaginative approach to teaching is encouraged with particular emphasis upon an open, but disciplined, approach to the teaching of Psychology.  A readiness to assist with extra-curricular activities in the school is essential. 

The post is an exciting and challenging one, offering exceptional opportunity in an outstanding school where students are able, well-motivated and capable of excellence.

Information about the school

Dartford Grammar School is a selective academy for boys, admitting girls to its sixth form. There are six forms of entry in each year group and all of the students joining the school are from the top 25% of the ability range. The students come from Dartford, neighbouring towns and villages, and nearby London boroughs. The current roll is 1,516 including 598 in the sixth form.

Ofsted Inspections The school has been identified five times by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector as one of England’s most successful schools, showing a sustained period of outstanding achievement.

Extra-Curricular Programme The school is exceptionally rich in extra-curricular activities. It offers 16 sports and competes with others in at least eight of them each year. Teams regularly gain county, regional and national success, and many students gain representative honours at one or more of these levels. The school achieves high standards in music, and has an orchestra, wind band, choir, chamber choir and many other ensembles. Drama productions are frequent.

The Performing Arts Faculty benefits from the facilities of the Mick Jagger Performing Arts Centre. There are many other clubs and societies, with debating always a popular activity. The school’s impressive programme of community service is regarded as a particular strength. The school benefits from many close links with Europe, China and Japan. There are regular overseas cultural and sports trips, and other international visits.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a notable strength: nearly all students in Year 10 complete the Bronze Award, with a majority going on to Silver. Gold Award expeditions take place in both the UK and overseas, while the school has also offered international trips via Operation Wallacea.

What the School Offers Teachers The school provides its staff with the experience of teaching able and well-motivated students in an environment with high expectations of behaviour and well-developed systems of teacher-support. The school has a national reputation for the quality of its programme of professional development. The programme includes much that falls within specific subject areas. Staff well-being is a priority in the school, and staff social occasions, staff football and staff tai-chi are all popular, as is our weekly staff breakfast on a Friday morning!

The school is committed to participation in initial teacher training. Other aspects include a course for Early Career Teachers, preparation for middle management, development of existing middle managers and preparation for senior management. While the school’s extensive programme of overseas visits give many staff international experience, the school ensures that its staff development has a further international dimension, for example in IB courses. Staff members have access to the school’s excellent facilities for sport and the performing arts.

Job Contact Information

Fax: 01322 291426

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our students. You are advised that this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and therefore this post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Please be aware that schools are also required to undertake online recruitment checks on shortlisted candidates under changes to Keeping Children Safe in Education.