Physics Lead Practitioner Opportunity – Progressive Secondary Academy In Reading

Marchant Recruitment; Reading; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Marchant Recruitment is assisting a progressive Reading secondary academy in appointing a Lead Practitioner of Physics to elevate teaching standards, manage practical assessments, and boost A-Level results. The role blends classroom leadership with strategic STEM pedagogy and staff coaching, reporting to the Head of Science.

Start January, full-time and permanent, located in Reading, with the Lead Practitioner Scale (LP1–LP5). The department focuses on KS4 and KS5 under AQA/OCR Physics schemes.

Qualifications

• QTS with an honours degree in Physics, Engineering or related field.
• Proven track record of outstanding GCSE and A-Level results.
• Experience in peer coaching, staff development, or subject leadership.
• Deep practical laboratory capability and CLEAPSS safety knowledge.
• Active DBS Update Service (or willingness to apply).

Responsibilities

• Model exemplary classroom practice across Key Stage 4 and 5 (GCSE and A-Level).
• Lead whole-faculty coaching and peer observations on scientific inquiry.
• Audit physics schemes of work, required practical frameworks, and CLEAPSS safety logs.
• Analyse assessment metrics to design targeted revision programs.
• Prepare Sixth Form pupils for university entrance tests (PAT / ENGAA / Oxbridge).
• Mentor early-career science teachers to build confidence in physics.

Skills

Staff coaching

Curriculum leadership

Pedagogy excellence

Education

QTS (Qualified Teacher Status)

Honours degree in Physics/Engineering or related

Tools

CLEAPSS knowledge

Job description

A progressive secondary academy in Reading is seeking an ambitious Lead Practitioner of Physics to elevate teaching standards, drive practical required assessments, and boost A-Level Physics performance starting in January.

Job Overview

This role combines expert classroom teaching with strategic leadership in STEM pedagogy. The successful candidate will model outstanding practical and theoretical Physics delivery across Key Stage 4 (GCSE Separate & Combined Science) and Key Stage 5 (A-Level Physics), while coaching non-specialist science staff and refining laboratory practical frameworks.

Working directly with senior leadership and the Head of Science, you will lead departmental coaching workshops, enforce CLEAPSS safety standards, and prepare Sixth Form students for competitive engineering and physics university entrance tests. This is a full-time, permanent contract.

Key Responsibilities

• Model exemplary classroom practice across Key Stage 4 (GCSE) and Key Stage 5 (A-Level Physics)

• Lead whole-faculty coaching and peer observations on scientific inquiry and quantitative problem solving

• Audit physics schemes of work, required practical frameworks, and CLEAPSS safety logs across all laboratories

• Analyze assessment metrics to design targeted revision programs for high-attaining and borderline students

• Prepare Sixth Form pupils for university entrance exams (PAT / ENGAA / Oxbridge)

• Mentor early-career science teachers to build confidence in physics theory and practical setups

Role Overview & Specifications

• Start Date: January

• Contract Type: Full-time, permanent contract

• Location: Reading, Berkshire

• Salary / Pay Rate: Lead Practitioner Scale (LP1–LP5 equivalent)

• Key Curriculum: AQA / OCR Physics

Candidate Requirements

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with an honors degree in Physics, Engineering, or a related discipline

• Proven track record of consistently outstanding classroom teaching and top-tier GCSE and A-Level results

• Experience in peer coaching, staff development, or subject leadership

• Deep practical laboratory capability and CLEAPSS safety knowledge

• An active enhanced DBS check on the Update Service (or willingness to apply)