Head of Science (Chemistry Specialism Preferred) - Full-time

Gad's Hill School, Rochester

• Ref:KCC886-6007-221T
• Posted:29/04/2025
• Pay:Curr up to £45,284 pa plus £3,183 Leadership
• Start Date:28 August 2025
• App Close Date:15/05/2025 at 16:00
• Interviews:w/c 19 May 2025

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From 28 August 2025, Gad’s Hill School requires an experienced teacher to serve as our Head of Science. Full details of responsibilities can be found within the job specification but, in summary, the individual will be responsible for the leadership, management, effective and efficient day-to-day operation of the Science department. 

Science is compulsory at GCSE and currently taught by three specialist teachers, supported by a Science Technician, in addition to a fourth teacher who specialises in delivering the Key Stage 2 Science curriculum. Pupils take GCSEs in the separate AQA Biology, Chemistry and Physics GCSE qualifications. The new Head of Department will be expected to review the current curriculum content and overall departmental strategy with a view to strengthening and improving the GCSE results further in the long term. 

Although all Upper School Science teachers are capable of teaching all science subjects to GCSE, a specialism in Chemistry would be preferred as it would allow all teachers to deliver teaching in their specialist areas.

Information about the school

Gad’s Hill School operates as three distinct departments within one school. The Kindergarten takes children from age three in our Nursery through to Year 2. Here, alongside the foundation in literacy, numeracy, sciences and humanities, there is a strong emphasis on play, physical education, music and drama with all pupils performing in a number of short productions each year. The school places particular emphasis on communications and therefore pupils from Reception upwards receive twice weekly lessons in Spanish and also Computing.

The Junior School is two-form entry from Years 3-6. Our Junior pupils receive a high proportion of lessons with subject specialists; in particular Modern Languages (Spanish), DT, Computing, Art, Music, Science & Games. By Years 5 and 6 nearly all lessons are delivered by specialist tutors. In sport our students have the opportunity to represent the school in fixtures against other schools.

Our school is located geographically within a selective secondary system and historically many of our pupils would leave to attend grammar schools at the end of Lower Shell (Year 6). However, in the last few years, the growing success of our Charles Dickens Scholarship Award, providing financial assistance to the most able pupils from our own Junior School and many from the wider community, has resulted in the development of highly capable and aspirational cohorts at Key Stage 3. Our strength is to make the most of our small class sizes and supportive atmosphere to add significant value to every individual.

The Upper School generally has a two- or three-form entry. The curriculum is relatively broad, with all pupils taking a spread of subjects including Art, DT, Food & Nutrition, Spanish, Computer Science, Music and Drama. Students choose a range of options at the conclusion of Year 8. They follow a core of Maths, English (Literature & Language), Separate or Combined Science and CCF (comprising BTEC Teamwork & Personal Development and Institute of Leadership & Management diplomas). As options they may choose from History, Geography, Spanish, Art, Food & Nutrition, DT, Computer Science, Music, Drama and PE, and in recent years we have supplemented these options with Psychology and Statistics exam courses for our increasingly able cohorts.

At present there is no sixth form education at Gad’s Hill and pupils currently depart for local schools, colleges or other independents. In recent times we have partnered with the University for the Creative Arts and several of our leavers have commenced Extended Diploma courses with them.

Job Contact Information

• Name:Tracy Barker
• Address:Higham, Rochester, Kent, ME3 7PA
• Telephone: Tel: 01474 822366
• Email: information@gadshillschool.org

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

• GHS Safeguarding Policy
• Application Form
• Inspection Report
• Safer Recruitment Policy
• Information for Candidates