Lead Practitioner

We are looking for a Lead Practitioner - Science for September 2024 and warmly welcome applications from experienced teachers who are passionate about science and are dedicated to enabling students to make excellent progress.

You'll be joining the department at an exciting time as the improvements we are making are gaining momentum. Combined science is taught as a discrete subject to all pupils in Years 7-9 as part of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme. In years 10 and 11 we follow the AQA Trilogy science programme. Results have steadily improved over the last 3 years and this is a fantastic opportunity for the department to really excel. The role is ideal for a candidate currently in a middle leadership position seeking progression and further responsibility.

Achievement for all students regardless of background is our key objective. We offer stimulating learning environments where effective teaching and learning are underpinned by high-quality interpersonal relationships. If you are ambitious for yourself and the learners you serve, then you are the person we need. As a lead practitioner you will also support the Assistant Principal and existing Lead Practitioners in driving whole school initiatives linked to teaching and learning, pedagogy and assessment. You will also support the school's approach on life long learning with all in the community through coaching of staff and CPD offer on our dedicated Wednesday afternoons.

What we are offering:

For our successful candidate, being a member of staff at Strood Academy and the wider Trust means you'll receive access to a great range of employment benefits from day one. Click here to view the current benefits package, and be mindful that the list is always growing.

We'd like to hear from candidates who are:

• An excellent leader who is passionate about learning and has strong subject knowledge within the science remit
• Collaborative, able to build strong professional relationships
• Able to motivate and inspire students and staff to achieve their full potential
• Energetic and have a can-do attitude
• Confident and has strong career aspirations
• Committed to safeguarding and the happiness and wellbeing of everyone at the Academy
• Prepared to be involved in leading co-curricular activities either within or outside of their teaching subject

Working for Strood Academy: Since opening in 2009, our academy has transformed the educational opportunities and outcomes for girls and boys in Strood. The improvement in academic performance has been driven by a talented and committed workforce, the hard work of our students, and support from parents and our community. Our new buildings in Carnation Road were designed in partnership with Nicholas Hare and built by BAM as our main contractor at a cost of £26m. They opened in September 2012 and have outstanding learning environments and outside play areas as well as fantastic sports facilities. The buildings reflect our education vision of creating a mature and purposeful educational environment where children of all abilities can learn and thrive.

Our vision is to be an inclusive community where we are all kind, respectful and resilient in our journey towards excellence. Our students thrive through an enriching and diverse curriculum that offers a global perspective, empowering all to become inquisitive lifelong learners.

Our core values are to be:

• Inquisitive
• Respectful
• Resilient
• Kind

Our purpose at Strood Academy is to:

• nurture students' aspirations and build resilience within an environment of tolerance, respect and empathy;
• shape leaders within a global community;
• develop and celebrate knowledgeable and inquiring minds to promote lifelong learning and;
• help young people develop into well-educated, considerate and caring citizens.

We have a growing roll call of 1400 children, including 200 in Sixth Form. Working in our academy takes a lot of dedication and hard work, but for the right individuals, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience and contribute significantly to personal and professional development.

Why work at Strood Academy?

• Our recent OFSTED inspection has confirmed that the academy continues to be judged 'Good' and is very strong in many aspects and areas. The full report can be found on our website and I would like to share a quote which reflects the culture and ambition we all have for our students.

'The principal advocates a culture of high expectations, aspirations and traditional values. Leaders' high expectations are reflected in the ambitious International Baccalaureate curriculum. This provides a global perspective which encourages pupils to be inquisitive lifelong learners. To read the full report please click here.

• Centralised behaviour system and detentions - simple for teachers to follow allowing disruption-free classrooms.
• Our commitment to the development of all staff - CPD on Wednesday afternoons and the opportunity to collaborate with staff from other schools in the LAT. Also, all staff at Strood receive regular coaching feedback through our online platform on-track.
• Strood Academy is easily accessible by A2 and the high-speed train can allow for travel into London in less than 30 minutes.
• We have a common sense approach to workload. All teachers are expected to feedback or live-mark. We also work closely as a Trust allowing for centralised resources to be shared across our secondary schools.

Being part of Leigh Academies Trust: As of 1st April 2024, our Trust comprises 32 geographically organised academies (16 secondaries, 14 primaries and 2 special) educating more than 20,000 students and employing 3,000 talented staff. Nearly 40% of our academies are judged outstanding overall by Ofsted, versus 15% nationally. The Trust is establishing four 'clusters' of academies: North Kent; Central Kent; South East London; Medway. In addition, the Trust is responsible for one of the region's biggest initial teaching training organisations, a large teaching school hub and is an accredited apprenticeship provider. Our future plans are found in our Vision 2030 document available on our website.

As part of Leigh Academies Trust, you will have ample opportunity to collaborate with your peers both within the academy and across the whole Trust. This is an important part of our vision as we know through experience that we perform better when we work together. You are supported to undertake regular self-development to continue your professional development and hopefully progress further within the organisation.

Click here to view the benefits available to all LAT employees from day one.

Our commitment to safeguarding: Leigh Academies Trust and all of our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process across all academies and business units which is in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates - you can read more about this in our Recruitment Guidance. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

Our commitment to equality and diversity: As a Trust, we are passionate about diversity and recognise that as individuals, we all bring something unique to the role regardless of any protected characteristics which are why we treat all of our people equally, without compromise. We are committed to providing equality and fairness throughout our recruitment and employment practices and not discriminating on any grounds.