Head of Faculty for Science

About the School - Akeley Wood Senior & Tile House:

Akeley Wood School is a dynamic and friendly place to work with opportunities for professional development. We educate around 700 children across three campuses and have a progressive approach to teaching and learning. We strive for a holistic education at Akeley Wood and achieve this through the supportive environment and diverse breadth of learning and development within our School.

We look to recruit high calibre staff committed to achieving the highest standards and to actively take part in the school life.

The school now has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Head of Faculty for Science to join our fantastic team.

About Cognita:

Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 100+ schools in 21 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 100,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, "Thrive in a rapidly evolving world".

At Cognita, we know every student is unique. We nurture their distinct personalities and strengths. We support them academically, socially, and emotionally, wherever they are in the world, wherever they're starting from. And each and every one of our schools is unique too.

We protect what's special about them, while offering them rich knowledge, opportunities, and best practices. And they get to be part of something bigger. We open their classrooms to the collective wisdom of over 100 schools in 21 countries, ensuring every child gets an education that's, quite literally, world class.

It's an individual approach that empowers every school, teacher and student to focus on what they do best and thrive.

About the Role:

As Head of Faculty for Science, you will lead the strategic development and day-to-day management of the Science Faculty at Akeley Wood Senior School. You'll shape the vision for science education across Key Stages 3–5, ensuring high standards of teaching and learning while fostering an environment where every student thrives. This is a dynamic role combining leadership with classroom teaching, giving you the opportunity to inspire both staff and students. You'll oversee curriculum planning, assessment, and enrichment activities, while driving innovation and continuous improvement within the faculty.

Who We Are Looking For:

You are an experienced and passionate science educator with a proven track record of outstanding classroom practice. You hold Qualified Teacher Status and a degree in a science discipline, and you're confident teaching up to Key Stage 4 (and ideally Key Stage 5). Your leadership style is collaborative and motivating, enabling you to build strong teams and nurture professional growth. You bring excellent communication skills, strong organisational ability, and a vision for developing science education. If you're ready to lead with creativity, inspire young minds, and make a measurable impact on student outcomes, we'd love to hear from you.

Benefits at Cognita:

• Competitive salary depending upon qualifications and experience
• Enrolment in our company's pension scheme
• Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave
• Access to My Staff Shop - £1,000's of savings to be made across the year
• Cycle to Work scheme, operated through My Staff Shop
• 24/7 wellbeing support through Cognita Care First, our Employee Assistance Program
• Free school lunches
• A discount on fees for children at Akeley Wood School.
• Ongoing professional development

How to Apply:

Complete this application before the closing date. The Closing Date for Applications is: Sunday 21st December 2025

Cognita Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check. Our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is available on the school website. Details on Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is included within the Application Guidance.

We are an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity and treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of background.

Early applications are encouraged, we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to closing date for the right applicant.