Heaad of Physics

JOB TITLE: Head of Physics

RESPONSIBLE TO: Director of Studies

Start Date: 1 September 2025

Closing Date: 31 January 2025

Interview Date: 5 February 2025

The Physics Department is particularly proud of its record of achieving Physics and Engineering places at top-ranking Russell Group Universities and degree apprenticeships. Our 2024 leavers have gone on to study a variety of courses, both nationally and internationally, such as degree apprenticeships at Jaguar Land Rover and university studies in Hong Kong and Belgium.

Head of Department Responsibilities

The Head of Department’s key responsibility is to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the subject and is responsible to the Director of Studies. The Head of Department will contribute to the academic enrichment within the Sciences as directed by the Director of Studies and should be a clear advocate for their subject and its development both in the Sciences and the wider school.

Curriculum

• Select the most appropriate examination specifications
• Draw up, co-ordinate and monitor Schemes of Work, including setting of preps or independent study and regular testing

Administration

• Maintain set lists, communicate set changes
• Organise and co-ordinate assessments for public examinations, including moderation
• Organise and monitor the setting and marking of internal examinations, external examinations and scholarship examinations
• Ensure students are entered for appropriate examinations and advise on entry tiers
• Ensure that classes are covered, and work is set when staff are unexpectedly absent
• Direct any non-teaching staff within the subject
• Issue and oversee returns of books and other specific materials required by students
• Ensure that departmental rooms provide a stimulating and attractive learning environment that projects a positive image
• Order and maintain any equipment, textbooks and materials
• Ensure that the subject handbook is kept up to date
• Have input into the Faculty Review, Governors’ Report and Subject Development Plan

Staff

• Observe staff within the subject as part of the Quality Assurance process
• Assist with work trawls as directed by the Director of Studies
• Provide the relevant information for the Performance Review of staff within the subject for the Assistant Head (Staff)

Enrichment

• Assist in the provision of subject enrichment programmes, such as clubs, field trips, visiting speakers and off-campus visits to Higher Education institutions

General Responsibilities

Teaching duties

• You would be expected to teach a maximum of 18 academic lessons per week
• All members of staff are expected to attend, as required, regular staff meetings, INSET, parents’ conferences and the monthly tutor meetings that are held to discuss pupil progress
• The school day begins with a regular pattern of Assemblies, Chapel and Tutor/Form periods which teachers attend. Teachers are also invited to support students at major school functions such as drama productions, the Spring Concert or Sports Day
• Teachers make a significant contribution to the coaching of games or sport; the Friday afternoon academic enrichment programme; the Outdoor Pursuits programme; and the Combined Cadet Force. This can include coaching, supervising, leading or training pupils on 3 or 4 afternoons each week, depending on academic teaching commitments

Pastoral duties

• The School has a strong personal tutorial system and teachers provide additional pastoral care and academic advice and support for up to 8 tutees
• Teachers are expected to support all aspects of the boarding life of the school. This can include making a contribution to the weekend activity programme for boarders on Saturday evenings or Sundays; supervising events or activities; attending Sunday Chapel services; by organising and leading trips; or sharing a pastime

Other duties

• Teachers are assigned to a duty team which supervises school duties such as meals and weekend duties (e.g., detention) approximately every five weeks
• Once a year, teachers take part in an Exeat duty team to provide cover for the boarders who remain at School
• All teaching staff are expected to follow the Staff Code of Conduct and to follow the guidance laid out in the staff handbook

The Person

Education & qualifications

• Degree in Physics

Knowledge & experience

• Proven track record of successful A level and GCSE teaching results
• Experience of working with children and young people
• A secure knowledge of your subject

Skills

• Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop positive relationships with young people
• Have strong organisational and IT skills
• Able to engage pupils in learning through active teaching strategies
• Able to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Able to demonstrate effective planning and teaching skills
• Able to present confidently to a large group of students

Personal qualities

• Commitment to and flexible with the demands of the role
• Demonstrates fairness and consistency in all dealings with pupils
• Energy and enthusiasm
• Able to demonstrate the positive values, attitudes and behaviour we expect from our pupils
• Reliability and integrity
• Willingness to contribute to the co-curricular life of the school
• A commitment to personal professional development and taking responsibility for it
• A positive motivation to work with children and young people
• Emotional resilience

Equal Opportunities Employer

Giggleswick School is committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity amongst our workforce. We aim to provide quality and fairness for all job applicants and employees and not to discriminate, or to receive less favourable treatment, on grounds of age, disability, race, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable. Employment decisions will be made on the basis of each applicant’s job qualifications, skills, experience, and abilities. Applicants or employees with questions or concerns relating to discrimination for any of the reasons listed above should contact HR at hr@giggleswick.org.uk.

Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy

Giggleswick School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment by complying with the School’s Child Protection Policy and Staff Code of Conduct at all times. If in the course of carrying out your duties you become aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the school, you must report any concerns to the school’s designated safeguarding lead, or to the Headmaster. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and The Disclosure and Barring Service.