Lead Practitioner of Science

Royal Greenwich Trust School; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Royal Greenwich Trust School is seeking an exceptional Lead Practitioner of Science and a Professional Development Lead to join a growing 11-18 school within the University Schools Trust. The role focuses on improving teaching in science and across the school by coaching staff, modelling high-quality practice and delivering targeted professional development.

We value ambitious teaching, reflective practice and a commitment to developing colleagues at every career stage, including Early Career

Qualifications

• Excellent and reflective classroom practitioner.
• Experience coaching colleagues to improve teaching practice.
• Proven ability to design and deliver high-quality professional development.

Responsibilities

• Lead and model excellent science teaching across key stages.
• Coach and develop teachers to raise pupil outcomes.
• Design and deliver effective professional development for staff.
• Shape the science curriculum and assessment practices.
• Collaborate with leaders across the University Schools Trust to share best practice.
• Support Early Career Teachers and staff in career development.

Skills

Coaching

Mentoring

Professional development

Pedagogy

Curriculum design

Job description

Lead Practitioner of Science

Royal Greenwich Trust School is seeking to appoint an exceptional and ambitious Lead Practitioner of Science and Professional Development Lead.

This is an exciting opportunity for an outstanding classroom practitioner to join a popular, oversubscribed and growing 11-18 school within the University Schools Trust. The successful candidate will play a significant role in improving teaching within science and across the wider school, while supporting colleagues through coaching, modelling and high-quality professional development.

RGTS was judged Good in all areas by Ofsted in October 2022. Inspectors recognised that leaders are ambitious for students, behaviour is well managed and students are expected to work hard and focus on their learning. We place positive and purposeful relationships at the heart of our work and are committed to developing staff at every stage of their careers.

The Science Department

Science is an ambitious, forward-thinking and well-resourced department at RGTS. Students learn in three fully equipped laboratories and follow a carefully sequenced mastery curriculum that builds secure scientific knowledge, tackles misconceptions and develops confidence over time.

The department benefits from a strong and supportive leadership structure, including a Director of Science and a Second in Department, alongside an experienced team of teachers and a dedicated science technician. This provides an excellent environment for collaboration, professional growth and the sharing of high-quality practice.

Our aim is to make science engaging, relevant and accessible to every student. Alongside developing strong subject knowledge, students learn to solve problems, analyse data, evaluate evidence and think critically about the world around them.

Science at RGTS extends well beyond the classroom. Students benefit from a rich range of enrichment opportunities, including visits to the Science Museum and collaborative events across the University Schools Trust. Highlights have included the UST Science Fair and the opportunity to attend a lecture delivered by Professor Brian Cox.

Teaching and Learning at RGTS

This is a pivotal and exciting moment to join the school as we build on the significant progress made throughout our improvement journey. During 2025-26, the quality and consistency of teaching have strengthened considerably through a rigorous school- and Trust-wide quality assurance programme. This has been supported by the introduction of the RGTS Teaching Pedagogies, fortnightly whole-school and bespoke professional development, instructional coaching, and meaningful collaboration across the Trust.

Our curriculum is becoming increasingly ambitious, coherent and concept-driven. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the next stage of this work by modelling exceptional classroom practice, inspiring colleagues and supporting the continued development of teaching across the school.

As a Lead Practitioner, you will contribute directly to the design and delivery of whole-school teaching and learning CPD, sharing evidence-informed practice and helping colleagues translate pedagogical principles into consistently strong classroom routines. There is also scope for the successful candidate to take a leading role in the development of Early Career Teachers and teachers at the beginning of their careers, working closely with mentors and leaders to ensure that they receive high-quality training, coaching and support.

We are looking for someone with deep expertise in teaching and learning: an intellectually curious, reflective practitioner who is passionate about pedagogy, engages critically with educational research and is excited by the opportunity to refine practice across a whole school. You will be someone who enjoys discussing how students learn, testing ideas in the classroom and helping others develop their confidence and expertise.

This is an outstanding opportunity to extend your influence beyond your own classroom, shape a culture of professional learning and excellence, and make a lasting contribution to school- and Trust-wide improvement.

The Role

The successful candidate will:

1. Teach consistently excellent and ambitious science lessons


2. Model high-quality classroom practice


3. Coach and develop colleagues across the school


4. Design and deliver effective professional development


5. Support the continued development of the science curriculum


6. Strengthen questioning, modelling, assessment and checks for understanding


7. Promote inclusive teaching and effective classroom adaptation


8. Work collaboratively with senior and subject leaders


9. Contribute to quality assurance and the evaluation of teaching


10. Develop professional links across the wider University Schools Trust

We Want to Hear from You if You Are

1. An excellent and reflective classroom practitioner


2. Unrelenting in your pursuit of excellence


3. Successful in securing strong outcomes for young people


4. Passionate about science, curriculum and professional development


5. Skilled in coaching, mentoring or supporting colleagues


6. Committed to inclusive teaching and ambitious for every student


7. Team-spirited and prepared to go above and beyond


8. Excited by the opportunity to contribute at department, whole-school and Trust level

Working with Us

Joining RGTS offers the opportunity to:

• Become an integral part of a growing school and Trust


• Work within an experienced and well-resourced science department


• Influence teaching and learning across the school


• Design and deliver curriculum provision across all key stages


• Access high-quality professional development and career progression


• Collaborate with colleagues across the University Schools Trust


• Make a visible and lasting difference to students and staff

Early applications are encouraged, as interviews will be arranged when suitable applications are received. The school reserves the right to close the advert early.

CVs alone will not be accepted.

Royal Greenwich Trust School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS check and all other relevant pre-employment checks.