CROYDON HIGH SCHOOL

HEAD OF SCIENCE FACULTY

SEPTEMBER 2017

INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

CROYDON HIGH SCHOOL

CROYDON HIGH SCHOOL

Croydon High School in leafy Selsdon, Surrey, is

an exceptional independent day school for girls

aged 3 to 18. Part of the GDST network, the

leading network of independent girls’ schools in

the UK, Croydon High has been delivering

outstanding education to local girls since 1874.

In spacious buildings, on a sloping site of over

twenty acres just about three miles from the

centre of the town, Croydon High School girls

enjoy the benefits of top class facilities and

exceptional teaching.

In September 2014, the school celebrated its

140th anniversary and is extremely proud of both

its history and its well established reputation

locally and further afield. Whilst always

acknowledging this history, the school takes an

innovative approach to teaching and learning in

its widest sense in order to prepare girls to meet

the challenges of the future.

CROYDON HIGH SCHOOL

THE SCHOOL

The school is part of the Girls’ Day School Trust which educates nearly 20,000 pupils and employs over 3,700 staff in our 24 schools and two academies and as such is the UK’s largest education charity with an annual turnover of more than £200 million.

Membership of such a prestigious Trust creates significant opportunities and advantages for any teacher joining Croydon High School.

All staff benefit from the central CPD programme which covers curriculum training as well as career progression opportunities. Across all the schools there is wide spread subject collaboration organised centrally and through an extensive subject collaboration online site.

Please visit our website (www.croydonhigh.gdst.net) to fully appreciate all that Croydon High School offers in its extensive curricular, extra curricular and pastoral provision.

The Aims of the School

To be a forward looking community where girls:

Achieve their personal best in both curricular and co-curricular areas;

Thrive within a safe, happy and supportive environment;

Learn respect for themselves and others and accept their responsibilities as global citizens;

Develop into confident, well-balanced, intellectually curious and reflective young women who are ready to face the challenges ahead.

Approach to the Curriculum

The curriculum is broad and balanced to give pupils the opportunity to explore and develop their talents. Independent learning is nurtured at all levels and pupils are encouraged to apply what they learn across subjects. Pupils take the

IGCSE for Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Maths, English and Modern Foreign Languages as well as GCSE for other subjects. In the Sixth Form, we offer A Levels and the Extended Project Qualification.

Our top class facilities and diverse extra-curricular programme enrich the whole learning experience for pupils. We firmly believe this helps to produce more rounded pupils who are ready to take up the challenges they will meet once they have left school. The majority of our Sixth Form students go on to their first choice destination when they leave school, including Oxbridge and the Russell Group of universities.

In general terms, our approach is to develop character, teamwork, leadership skills and to engender care and consideration for others. We hold fast to traditional values while adopting a modern approach. We value creativity and flair, nurture intelligence and develop independence. Our teachers make learning challenging and exciting and we are committed to the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of school life.

Inspirational teaching throughout the Senior School and a focus on the individual helps all girls develop their own unique skills and talents, maximises their personal potential, and prepares them academically, emotionally and socially to make an easy, seamless transition to University.

CROYDON HIGH SCHOOL

Extra-Curricular Activities

We pursue excellence in all our activities with participation for all encouraged. A huge number of trips, visits and exchanges are arranged each year within the UK and overseas. Our close proximity to London means we can take advantage of the capital’s many resources and we regularly arrange trips to museums, galleries and academic institutions. Staff are expected to involve themselves in these activities.

Professional Development

The school is committed to the professional development of all its staff and a tailor-made leadership development programme supports ambitious teachers and managers.

Pastoral Care

Pastoral care is an absolute priority. Croydon High School has an excellent reputation for providing outstanding pastoral care; in fact, the welfare of each girl is paramount to everything we do. We appreciate, more than most, how happy, relaxed children are most likely to gain the maximum benefit from their school years and, therefore, most likely to succeed. A well-established pastoral care system is in place – one designed to ensure girls are happy, fulfilled and enjoy excellent relationships with the teaching staff.

The Croydon High ethos is clear; girls have every opportunity to be part of a community which nurtures a love of learning through a vibrant mix of academic and enriching extra-curricular activities.

CROYDON HIGH SCHOOL

Head of Science Faculty We are looking to appoint a dynamic Head of Faculty to lead Biology, Chemistry and Physics into the next stage of their development. With new specifications in place and an exciting vision for the faculty, this is a particularly attractive opportunity for a skilled practitioner and energetic leader who aspires to future promotion to Senior Leadership. All Sciences are very popular at Advanced Level with many girls pursuing Science related degrees at leading universities including Oxford and Cambridge. The vast majority of girls study triple science at KS4. The faculty is staffed by 6

full time staff (Biology x2, Chemistry x2 and Physics x2) and one part time member of staff. The faculty is supported by 3 full-time technicians. The Science Department has 10 well equipped laboratories which have all been recently refurbished. There are extensive resources in all departments including interactive white boards in each room and laptops available for all lessons. The departments work closely with each other and with the Learning Support staff.

CROYDON HIGH SCHOOL

The Biology Department In Years 7 and 8 students follow a Programme of Study that we have written ourselves but which is based on the revised National Curriculum and OUP’s Activate Biology. During Years 9,10 and 11 the majority of girls study Edexcel iGCSE Biology. Biology is a popular choice for A Level and girls study for OCR Biology A. Last year three of our sixth form students went on to study at Oxbridge and one is studying medicine at UCL.

The department is committed to offering students extra-curricular opportunities. We run several trips and have visited Wakehurst Place, The Natural History Museum as well as several field trips. Staff also help prepare prospective medical students for the UKCAT and BMAT tests. Follow us on Twitter: @CroydonHigh_Bio

CROYDON HIGH SCHOOL

The Chemistry Department Chemistry is taught from Y7-Y11 as a separate subject with an emphasis on practical skills and chemistry techniques in Y7 and Y8. The ACTIVATE course is currently supporting these two years with an introduction into basic atomic structure , periodic table and some organic chemistry. Year 9 builds on the content established in Y7 and Y8 and uses the EdExcel IGCSE learning outcomes as a framework. The Edexcel Chemistry IGCSE is taught over two years in Y10

and Y11 with the option of some girls taking the double award in Y11. A Level Chemistry follows the AQA course and is taught as a linear subject but following the AS in Y12 and the A Level in Y13 A trip to the Institute of Education organised by the training partnership for Y12 in the Autumn term allows students to explore relevant topics beyond the scope of the syllabus. The Y12 Chemists also take part in the Chemistry Cambridge Challenge in the summer term.

CROYDON HIGH SCHOOL

The Physics Department Girls follow OUP’s Activate Course in Years 7 and 8, in Year 9, 10 and 11 all girls study for Edexcel IGCSE Physics. In the sixth form girls study Salters Horners Advanced Physics. Pass rates and value added marks are high. Some girls use a Physics related topic for the Extended Project Qualification. There is a wealth of extra-curricular activities at the School and opportunities for development. We are the South London Hub for the Institute

of Physics/Mayor of London’s Capital Physics Project and work with schools in the local area as part of the project. The department participates in the Physics Olympiad and other national activities and competitions. We regularly take girls out on enrichment activities. Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/CHSPhysics1874

CROYDON HIGH SCHOOL

Job Description – Head of Science Job Purpose Overall responsibility for the professional leadership and management of the faculty to ensure that high standards of leadership and management are realised by the Heads of Department and Subject Leaders, high standards of teaching and learning are delivered, resources are used efficiently and effectively and the curriculum is managed and developed in accordance with school policy across the faculty. Accountable to: Accountable to the Head via the designated line manager. Accountabilities: 1. Policy/Strategic direction and

development

Contribute to whole school and faculty policy-making and strategic planning and ensure that the school policies and strategies are embedded in the departmental schemes of work and operational plans. 2. Leadership & management of others

Lead and manage the faculty, recruiting, inducting, developing, deploying, motivating and appraising members of the faculty in conjunction with Heads of Departments to ensure that they have clear expectations of their roles, and that high performance standards are achieved and maintained. Create a culture of professional development and empowerment. Hold regular meetings and ensure that high standards of practice are set and maintained across the faculty. 3. Teaching and learning Promote excellence and up-to-date best practice in teaching and learning to ensure all pupils develop their potential and are equipped for life beyond school.

a. Exemplify in own practice the

skills of teaching and learning typified by lead professionals, and ensure that good practice is shared throughout the faculty.

b. Ensure that in departments, schemes of work are used, reviewed and modified to enable the maintenance and development of high standards of teaching and learning.

4. Extra-curricular activities

Seek opportunities for the provision of extra-curricular activities in the faculty and actively promote interest in the subject outside the immediate physical and timetabled confines of the faculty. 5. Marketing and external links,

including public occasions

Actively promote the faculty within the school , local and GDST community to encourage current and prospective pupils’ interest in the subject areas.

6. Management of resources

Manage and monitor the faculty’s allocated budget and purchasing arrangements, to ensure the efficient and effective use of all resources.

CROYDON HIGH SCHOOL

7. Monitoring, evaluation &

assessment

Ensure that within the faculty individual pupil progress is regularly assessed, recorded and reported and used to inform future teaching. 8. Training & development of self and

others

Create and maintain a culture of professional development and take responsibility for your own continuous professional development. All school staff are expected to:

a. Work towards and support the school vision and the current school objectives outlined in the School Development Plan.

b. Contribute to the school’s programme of extra-curricular activities.

c. Support and contribute to the school’s responsibility for safeguarding students.

d. Work within the school’s health and safety policy to ensure a safe working environment for staff, students and visitors

e. Work within the GDST’s Diversity Policy to promote equality of opportunity for all students and staff, both current and prospective.

f. Maintain high professional standards of attendance, punctuality, appearance, conduct and positive, courteous relations with students, parents and colleagues.

g. Engage actively in the performance review process.

h. Adhere to policies as set out in the GDST Council Regulations, ORACLE and GDST circulars.

i. Undertake other reasonable duties related to the job purpose required from time to time.

The purpose of this description is to enable performance rather than to restrict it and will be subject to regular review.

CROYDON HIGH SCHOOL

Person Specification Skills Required

Leadership skills: the ability to lead and manage people to work towards a common goal Essential Decision making skills: the ability to solve problems and make decisions Essential Teamwork: the ability to work collaboratively with others Essential Communication skills: the ability to make points clearly and understand the views of others

Essential

Self-management skills: the ability to plan time effectively and organise oneself well. Essential Knowledge Base Excellent professional knowledge and understanding Essential Excellent subject knowledge Essential Understanding of national and examination curricular requirements of the subject. Essential Up to date with professional developments in the subject and other aspects of education Essential Qualifications/Attainment Qualified teacher status Level Essential Good honours degree First or upper second Essential Post graduate qualifications

Masters degree/ post graduate diplomas

Desirable

Experience Experience as a subject teacher covering KS3-5 Essential Experience of teaching A level and GCSE in the subject for at least 2 cycles. Essential Experience of organising or participating in extra-curricular activities. Desirable Experience of participating in or leading a whole school initiative Desirable Significant successful experience as a subject leader or Head of Department Essential Attitude/approach Ability to enthuse children and adults Essential Possess a positive attitude and approach to change and development Essential Flexible and firm with the ability to know when to be either Desirable Enjoy rising to the challenges inherent in a school environment Essential Lifelong learner Essential

CROYDON HIGH SCHOOL

Application Details The Salary In line with GDST Salary scale according to experience. Safeguarding Croydon High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

The application form should be completed and returned with a covering letter to: The Headmistress, Croydon High School, Old Farleigh Road, Selsdon, South Croydon, CR2 8YB or e-mailed to: f.williams@cry.gdst.net The closing date for applications is noon, Monday 30th January 2017. The school reserves the right to appoint at any stage during the recruitment process