Head of Science

At OFG, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing what makes you happy!

How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?

Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).

If the trial is a success, we’ll be rolling the 4DWW out across the Group – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join #teamOFG!

Job title:        Head of Science

Location:       Westbourne School, Sutton in Ashfield

Salary:           Up to £45,000 per annum dependent on experience

Hours:           37.5 hours per week; Monday to Friday

Contract:       Permanent, Term Time only

We are looking for a Head of Science with both curriculum knowledge and experience of applying this in a specialist SEMH setting based in Sutton-in-Ashfield. You will have the opportunity to create and tailor the curriculum as well as access high quality CPD to help pursue your own personal goals.

About the role

Heads of Department play a leading role in pursuing the academic objectives of the school, which include an expectation that:

• All pupils will aspire to high performance.
• Good teaching in every lesson, in each class, every day, within a well-planned
• programme of teaching and learning, is a basic aspiration.
• All pupils will be closely monitored, and staff will be managed professionally so that all
• can flourish.

Job Purpose:

• To be responsible for the successful delivery of the teaching of Maths, ensuring all pupils consistently fulfil their academic potential, whilst being inspired by Science. 
• To lead the Maths Department to achieve high academic expectations, to incorporate relevant developments in pedagogy and to provide a varied co- curricular programme.

About us

Westbourne School caters for pupils aged 11-18 and and we are growing to 85 pupils across two sites.  You will be responsible for planning and delivering various subjects across the curriculum. Differentiation and individualised learning strategies are vital skills required to meet the needs of all our pupils who will have had varying degrees of success in their educational lives.

Acorn Care and Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education and residential care for vulnerable pupils and young people. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

Who we are looking for?

Just as important as academic achievement is the social and emotional development of our pupils. We want our pupils to be successful citizens and positively contribute to their local communities, it will therefore be imperative to provide opportunities to advance these skills. Along with this, the use of personalised curriculums and positive reinforcement will underpin your everyday practice.

This can be a challenging environment and therefore, determination and resiliency are key characteristics for the post. We are seeking a practitioner with an understanding of SEMH and ASD, allowing the successful candidate to immediately form positive relationships and adapt to the needs of the pupils. However, we invest heavily in teacher development and want staff who endeavour to achieve more.

Educated to degree level and/or of Qualified Teacher Status, SEMH Experience and Curriculum Development Experience you will be calm, engaging, resilient, and have an experienced innovative style of teaching, motivated by helping every child to reach their potential.

If you are passionate about this truly unique and rewarding sector and have the energy, drive and desire to motivate our pupils and ensure they achieve the best possible outcomes, then we welcome your application.

Why join Acorn Education & Care? 

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover

And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All successful applicants will be subject to a fully enhanced DBS, which must be registered on the update service.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy.