Teacher of Chemistry (Maternity Cover)

JAMES ALLENS GIRLS SCHOOL; London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading independent girls' school in London seeks a passionate Chemistry Teacher for maternity cover from January to August 2026. The successful candidate will inspire students aged 11-18, fostering a love for science in a supportive environment. Join a team committed to educational excellence and inclusion within the diverse school community.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Teachers' Pension Scheme or alternative scheme

Enhanced pay for maternity and paternity

Free onsite parking

Free gym membership

Employee Assistance Programme

Free lunches

School fee discount

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Passion for Chemistry and education.
• Ability to teach across KS3, GCSE, and A Level.
• Commitment to student welfare and safeguarding.

Responsibilities

• Teach Chemistry to students aged 11-18.
• Promote critical thinking and independent learning.
• Engage in team collaboration with science faculty.

Skills

Excellent subject knowledge in Chemistry

Ability to teach highly able pupils

Motivating and enthusing students

Kindness and open-mindedness

Intellectual curiosity

Education

Graduate degree in Chemistry or related field

Job description

Overview

CHEMISTRY TEACHER (MATERNITY COVER)

Full Time, fixed term maternity cover for two terms

Required from January 2026 to August 2026

Do you have a passion for life and learning? If so, our inspirational teaching team at JAGS is looking for a colleague to join the Chemistry department. Your dynamic and creative approach will help encourage and champion today’s young scientists across Years 7 to 13 in this, one of the UK’s leading independent schools.

With its distinctive heritage as the oldest independent girls’ school in London, James Allen’s Girls’ School, JAGS, provides a forward-thinking and contemporary education for over 1100 girls aged 4 to 18. Located in the London borough of Southwark, JAGS has a diverse school community and is committed to inclusive recruitment and inclusion in the workplace.

If this matches your educational vision, then this is the perfect time to join the Science department, which consists of our team of 16 teachers and 6 technicians sharing 13 laboratories and 4 prep rooms. The sciences are one of the many strengths of the school and are some of our most popular A Level choices, with a significant number of students applying for science degrees. Science is delivered by subject specialists as separate disciplines from Year 8 upwards.

At KS4 we follow the AQA specification offering all three individual sciences as well as the double science award. At A Level we deliver the AQA Chemistry specification. Our GCSE and A Level results are outstanding, as you would expect from this highly selective school. At JAGS, however, we believe there is so much more to education than simply exam results. The department believes strongly in enrichment and extension, and in all our teaching we aim to build critical thinking, confidence, independence and a love of Chemistry.

Teamwork plays an important role within the Department: the staff love to enhance the experience of the students by sharing good practice, resources and ideas. We are looking for a well-qualified graduate to join this exceptional department who shares our vision, is passionate about Chemistry, and who will bring their own individuality to this warm and supportive team.

In addition, any prospective candidate must show an active commitment to the values and expectations of our school community and to the welfare of the pupils within it. The enthusiasm to assist in a strong co-curriculum is an important quality of all who work at JAGS.

We offer

• The opportunity to join our outstanding school where public examination results consistently place JAGS amongst the leading schools in the UK
• A community of considerate, creative and compassionate students and staff
• A highly diverse and inclusive school community, committed to our bursary provision
• An inspiring and enthusiastic team of colleagues across the teaching and support staff
• Excellent facilities, including the latest resources to support learning
• A diverse benefits package including:
• Competitive salary
• Choice of Teachers’ Pension Scheme or generous alternative defined contribution scheme
• Enhanced sickness, maternity and paternity pay
• Free onsite parking
• Free gym membership with discounted family rates
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free lunches, tea and coffee all year round
• Free access to the Dulwich Picture Gallery
• School fee discount
• Cycle to work scheme
• Interest-free computer loans
• Interest-free transport season ticket loans

What you can offer us

• Excellent subject knowledge and a passion for Chemistry
• The ability to teach Chemistry to highly able pupils across KS3, GCSE and A Level
• A talent for motivating and enthusing young learners to achieve their best
• Kindness and open-mindedness
• Intellectual curiosity, enthusiasm and a personal ethos of lifelong learning
• Resilience and optimism; someone who is willing to go the extra mile in the busy life of the school
• Team-working abilities and a keenness to enable all colleagues to contribute ideas and be part of positive change
• Commitment to the well-being and safeguarding of all students and staff
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion and anti-racism in the school community

With its distinctive heritage as the oldest independent girls’ school in London, James Allen’s Girls’ School provides a forward-thinking and contemporary education for over 1100 girls aged 4 to 18. Located in the London borough of Southwark, JAGS has a diverse school community and is committed to inclusion in the workplace.

Our aims

• To celebrate our diverse and inclusive community
• To champion social awareness and sustainability
• To empower courage, creativity and compassion in each student
• To inspire aspirational and authentic lifelong learners and leaders
• To nurture respectful, resilient and kind individuals

If this matches your educational vision, then this is the perfect opportunity for you.

How to apply

We recognise that celebrating the full diversity of staff and students has a positive impact on all and invite applications from candidates from a broad range of backgrounds. To enable us to make any reasonable adjustments, please let us know when you submit your application whether you have any special requirements.

We welcome applications from both early career and experienced teachers from the independent and maintained sectors. The school operates its own generous and competitive pay scales and will offer a salary commensurate with experience and the nature of this role.

Please visit our website to download an application form.

Please note that CVs and letters sent without a completed application form will not be accepted.

For further information please telephone the Recruitment team on 020 8693 1181.

Closing Date: Midday on Friday 03 October 2025

Interview Date: Week commencing Monday 13 October 2025

Interviews may be held at any stage after applications are received. Interested candidates are advised to apply as soon as possible. We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the specified deadline, if a suitable candidate is found.

JAGS is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service, and overseas police and regulatory authorities where relevant