Lead Practitioner - Science

Job title: Lead Practitioner - Science (Ark Blake Academy)

Location: East Croydon – Ten-minute walk from East Croydon station

Contract: Full-time hours, permanent contract    

Start date: September 2024

Salary: Lead Practitioner Scale (Ark Outer London) Points 4 (£55,361) to 9 (£62,129).

Closing date: 12.00pm on Monday 25^th March 2024.

Please note we will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis and this advert may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. Early application is strongly advised.

Ark Blake Academy is a growing and successful academy based in East Croydon that opened in September 2020. We are consistently oversubscribed in every year group and currently have students in Years 7–10.  We will continue to grow and look forward to our first cohort of students completing their GCSE studies in the summer of 2025. We have recently welcomed a new Principal and a number senior and middle leaders to the Academy and are now wishing to recruit for further key roles to drive forward our ambitious plans.

At Ark Blake Academy, our mission for the school is to embed a powerful knowledge-rich curriculum and provide fantastic opportunities for character development, all underpinned by an environment where exemplary behaviour is the norm.  In terms of our school culture, it is based around the simple but powerful belief of ‘working hard, being kind and taking responsibility’.  We aim to become a leading school in London as quickly as possible by living out this day to day belief.

What we offer our staff?

• Collaborative planning, centralised or shared resources
• Clear and consistent behaviour systems
• Knowledge rich curriculum & traditional T&L approach
• Highly visible supportive leaders who have your back Centralised daily detentions
• Realistic and manageable feedback policy
• Excellent CPD opportunities – internal & within network
• Thoughtful and impactful meeting schedule with time for co-planning Friday afternoon co-planning following earlier student dismissal

Why Work at Ark Blake Academy?

Further information about working at Ark Blake can be found in the Applicant Information pack.

The role

We are seeking an exceptional candidate as Lead Practitioner of Science, to work in close partnership with the Science department, the Senior Leadership Team and the Principal to embed the school’s vision and develop an outstanding school that empowers our students to work hard, be kind and take responsibility.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to grow with the school.  We will provide one-to-one support, coaching and access to extensive network training to support career development and leadership opportunities. 

In addition to professional support all employees are eligible for Ark Rewards, a scheme that offers discounts at many retailers and other benefits such as Cycle to Work and the Employee Assistance Programme.

You will:

• Have an unwavering determination to deliver excellence for students from all starting points

Share the Ark Blake beliefs, vision and mission and be aligned with the Ark six pillars underpinning it Be committed to Ark’s ethos of high expectations for every pupil in both academic achievement and personal development Be committed to continually improving classroom practice and raising attainment Manage behaviour effectively to create a positive, calm and purposeful climate for learning Have the drive, skills and resilient character required to help build a new school Combine subject matter expertise with a passion for teaching your subject Be reflective about the Academy and committed to securing its continued development Value and support practices driving continued progress across the network of Ark schools

For further information refer to the full job description and person specification.

Ark Blake Academy is part of Ark, one of the UK’s most successful school groups, with a network of 39 schools in 4 locations across the country.

As a proud member of the network, we offer:

• Twice as many training days as standard
• Weekly staff training designed to meet the needs of the school
• Protected co-planning and department meeting time
• Access to high-quality, regular professional development
• Opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across the network

How to apply:

To apply, please visit our website via the button below.

For more information about our school, please visit: www.arkblake.org. To arrange a confidential conversation with the Principal about this role, or if you have any further questions please contact: v.rouse@arkblake.org

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in our academies. In order to meet this responsibility, we follow a rigorous selection process which will include questions about safeguarding. This process is outlined here, but can be provided in more detail if requested. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. This post is covered by Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) and therefore the ability to speak fluent English is an essential requirement for the role.

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark’s safer recruitment process, please click this link. 

We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective. To know more about Ark’s diversity and inclusion commitments, please click on this link.