Head of Science
We are seeking a dynamic and inspiring Head of Science to guide our well-established and high-performing Science Department. This role offers an exciting opportunity for someone with strong leadership experience, providing them with excellent preparation for future career development. The successful candidate will work alongside a team of exceptional practitioners and receive robust support from the existing team, subject leaders and the wider School Leadership Team.
The Head of Science will have overall responsibility for teaching, learning, achievement and attainment within the Science Department. You will have strategic oversight of science and be a key driver in realising the department’s vision for learning. With the support of the Science Leadership Team (comprising of six highly capable leaders), you will be responsible for ensuring that the curriculum is delivered with fidelity, that student achievement and uptake of science post-16 is high.
The ideal candidate will have a genuine passion for all science disciplines and for teaching young people, the ability to inspire students and staff, and the dedication to help them achieve their full potential. The ability to teach one from Biology, Chemistry or Physics to A Level is required, with experience in doing so being desirable.
The Science Department is committed to delivering a curriculum which is rich and broad; one that equips all learners with fundamental scientific knowledge; develops students’ passion for understanding the world around us; nurtures a love and enjoyment of the subject and helps prepare them for their next steps. The department currently consists of eighteen subject specialists who are ably supported by three Laboratory Technicians. Each are passionate about their subject and continually challenge themselves to develop their own practice. The team work collaboratively on the development of pedagogy and are very supportive of each other. The Science Leadership Team is made up of six key responsibility posts; they work together to ensure that the staff and students get the very best deal every day. All teachers are expected to teach the three disciplines at KS3; at KS4, on occasion teachers may be asked to teach outside their specialism at foundation level.
Location: Woking, Surrey - 15 minute walk from the train station and excellent transport links via A3 and M25
Post: Head of Science
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Start Date: September 2025
Pay Scale: London Fringe - MPS / UPS + TLR1d
Closing Date: 9am on Wednesday 23 April - The school reserves the right to interview and appoint this position ahead of any advised application closing date should an appropriate candidate be found. Therefore, it is advisable to submit applications as early as possible.
About our School
St John the Baptist School, part of the Xavier Catholic Education Trust, is a highly successful, over-subscribed mixed Catholic school and sixth form based in Woking, Surrey.
We are incredibly proud of our school community and in particular our students who are hardworking, well-balanced and enjoy both learning and spending time with each other and our staff. We work in a very positive culture and strive to make all students’ time at school some of the happiest times of their lives.
Our staff are vibrant, enthusiastic, and passionate about ensuring our students get the very best deal. Standards at SJB are high and academic progress excellent. We work closely with the Xavier Teaching School Hub, Teach SouthEast SCITT and Schools Alliance for Excellence (SAfE) and lead the North East Hants and Surrey Maths Hub.
Our Ethos:
SJB is a community where every individual is highly valued and where care and concern for others is central to our work. We aim to blend academic learning with excellence pastoral care so that all students and staff thrive and feel successful.
We offer an excellent benefits package including:
• All teachers are allocated 15% PPA time; above the legal minimum required.
• An extensive range of benefits and discounts with ‘Mylifestyle’, our employee benefits hub including pre-tax car purchasing, cycle to work, dental care and many retailer discounts.
• Free use of the onsite gym (6-8am and 5-8pm weekdays)
• Generous Pension Scheme
• Excellent onsite catering facilities
• Free onsite parking
• Regular staff social events calendared throughout the year
Get in touch if you would like to come and visit us and find out more about this vacancy!
This School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The Successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced check via the Disclosure and Barring Service.
