Teacher of Science (Physics/Chemistry)

The Swan School; Oxford; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A new comprehensive school in Oxford is seeking a passionate Science teacher to join a successful team. This role involves teaching at Key Stage 3, 4, and 5, contributing to enrichment and STEM activities, and shaping the future of the school. The ideal candidate will be motivated, a team player with leadership potential, and eager to try new approaches to education. This position offers a supportive environment for both experienced teachers and ECTs.

Benefits

Defined Benefit Pension Schemes (TPS and LGPS)

Extensive professional development opportunities

Well-being and staff networks

Qualifications

• Desire for a subject specialism in Physics or Chemistry, but not essential.
• Ability to focus on younger students to avoid 'fire-fighting' later.
• Willingness to engage in enrichment and STEM activities.

Responsibilities

• Join a successful team and help build the foundations of a new school.
• Teach Science at Key Stages 3, 4, and 5.
• Contribute to wider school life and student outcomes.

Skills

Creative thinking

Leadership potential

Team player

Education

Qualified teacher status

Job description

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to be part of starting an exceptional comprehensive school. As a teacher of Science, you would be joining a highly successful team, with excellent outcomes at both GCSE and A-Level, to help to build the foundations of an outstanding school from the ground up. You will work with talented colleagues to focus on 'getting it right' with younger students so that we avoid 'fire-fighting' with year 11s later on. You will have the opportunity to teach at Key Stage 3, 4, and 5, as well as being involved in enrichment and STEM activities. There will be significant development opportunities available as the school grows. Science teachers are a vibrant part of our school community, contributing to excellent outcomes as well as wider school life.

The successful candidate will share our ambitions for our students. You will relish the challenge of creating a new school that will be different to other comprehensive schools in the city. You will be a highly motivated team player with leadership potential, a creative thinker who is unafraid to try new approaches, and a reflective practitioner, keen to continue learning in order to achieve the best possible outcomes for our students.

We would welcome applications from both experienced teachers and those who are at the start of their teaching careers (ECTs) - this is an excellent environment in which to develop your practice and hone your craft.

A subject specialism in Physics/Chemistry is desired, but not essential.

The Swan School, part of the River Learning Trust, is Oxford's first new secondary school for over 50 years, and opened in September 2019. When full, we will have approximately 1,200 students on roll, of whom around 300 will be in the Sixth Form. Our students are drawn from a local catchment area and the school is at the heart of the community.

Learning from the most successful approaches at the best schools, The Swan School provides a uniquely challenging and structured experience in a caring and disciplined environment. The ethos is academic; we regard an excellent academic education as the entitlement of all young people, no matter what their background or previous experiences of learning. Students are inspired and nurtured, acquiring the knowledge and skills to think critically and creatively. They will learn to be confident, resilient and ambitious, and will have high expectations in terms of their own achievements and their contribution to wider society.

Student outcomes at The Swan School are exceptional - our first cohort of GCSE students achieved a Progress 8 score of +0.55, placing The Swan in the highest category of schools across the country. In 2023, the school was graded by OFSTED as outstanding for Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development, Leadership and Management, and Sixth Form.

The Swan School is part of the River Learning Trust, which facilitates collaboration, professional development, and opportunities across a wide range of other highly successful schools.

About the River Learning Trust

Education has the power to change lives, communities and society for the better. At RLT we believe that we can achieve more for our pupils, trainees, staff and communities by working together rather than alone. Schools in RLT are united by a common belief in the benefits of working together, and by our commitment to shared principles.

OUR VISION

is for our schools and SCITT to improve rapidly, continuously and sustainably: to be better faster together.

OUR 'WHY?'

is that children and young people 'only get one go' in school and therefore as part of RLT we aim to ensure the best possible 'go' for our pupils.

OUR 'HOW?'

is through the highest support and challenge for our schools and each other, underpinned by our principles.

Our employees benefit from a wide variety of support including extensive continuing professional learning and development opportunities, wellbeing and staff networks and access to Defined Benefit Pension Schemes (TPS and LGPS) for all staff. For more information on what it is like to work for the Trust, and the benefits you could access, please see our "Working in RLT" guide.