Department Leader for Science

William Edwards Limited; Orsett; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

William Edwards School in Essex is seeking a dynamic Department Leader for Science to guide a strong team and raise outcomes across all key stages. The successful candidate will inspire a passion for science, foster inspirational learning, and ensure a well-resourced, collaborative learning environment.

This permanent, full-time role offers a strategic leadership position within SWECET, with responsibilities for curriculum development, staff development and safeguarding.

Job description

Department Leader for Science at William Edwards School

New

Job Reference #: EDV/2026/WES/00091

Location: Stifford Clays Road, Stifford Clays, Grays, Essex, RM16 3NJ

Contract Type: Permanent

Contract Term: Full-Time

Salary: Annually (Actual) MPR/UPR plus TLR 1D with potential for on-site accommodation

Closing Date: Midday, Thu 8th Oct, 2026

Start Date: January 2027

Positions Available: 1

Interview Date(s): Tuesday 13th October 2026

About this Role

We are seeking a highly motivated, ambitious and skilled classroom practitioner with a passion for science to lead a strong team to even greater heights. The department consistently achieves strong results, and we wish to appoint an exceptional individual who has the necessary drive, expertise and commitment to improve outcomes further.

The applicant must be able to nurture a passion for studying science at all levels of ability. The science curriculum has been redesigned in recent years and provides a solid base from which to extend the 'inspirational learning' mantra of the school. Science classrooms are well resourced with an innovative design to facilitate collaborative and active learning.

Why William Edwards School?

William Edwards is a large, successful, harmonious and thriving mixed 11-16 comprehensive school. Pupil outcomes across the school are historically strong. However, attending William Edwards is about so much more than just GCSE outcomes. We firmly believe that school days should be the best days of your life and that schools have a moral purpose to extend the life experiences of their pupils. That is why we boast the largest Duke of Edinburgh cohort of any school in the East of England, and we are also one of only two schools in the East of England to hold the Arts Mark Platinum Award. Character education and providing a wealth of different experiences to our pupils are important to us.

Why SWECET?

At South West Essex Community Education Trust, we are passionate about providing the best start in life for our pupils. We are united in the belief that every young person needs and deserves an education that will maximise their future life chances.

We place our pupils' needs at the heart of everything we do and support our colleagues in delivering high-quality education. Our vision is to establish a national reputation for the quality of education we provide.

Our academies are united by the things that make us both similar and unique - the DNA that ties us all together. The SWECET DNA is made up of the following components: Developing our people, Nurturing our differences, and Aspiring for excellence.

We believe that our colleagues are our most precious resource to provide high-quality learning experiences for all our pupils. Our colleagues work hard to support teams in their own schools and across the Trust and in return, the SWECET Wellbeing Charter sets out our actions to support our colleagues.

South West Essex Community Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants for this post must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including reference checks with previous employers, online checks and an enhanced DBS check with the Disclosure & Barring Service.