Lead Practitioner

We are seeking to appoint an outstanding science practitioner with a proven track record of teaching excellence to join our expanding Academy Improvement Team and become our Lead Practitioner - Science for Easter 2025 or earlier if available. You will help to inspire our committed and supportive team across the academy, modelling and leading the improvement of teaching skills to raise student achievement in all groups and to narrow any gaps in attainment. We warmly welcome applications from experienced teachers who are passionate about science and are dedicated to enabling students to make excellent progress.

Your focus will be on raising attainment in science by working with other teachers and leaders across the organisation. You will be expected to support colleagues to deliver their timetable to the very highest standards and be open-minded to step in and support when necessary. This is a unique, exciting opportunity for career development towards headship.

As a Lead Practitioner, you will be part of a large team with a wide range of experience and expertise. The department will, in time, train and develop trainee teachers and ECTs as a means of investing in the future of the department and the academy. With senior leaders also in the department, you will be able to rely on the expertise of established practitioners who will also play a part in working with you to continue to develop the science curriculum and implement this effectively. This is a fantastic opportunity for a highly effective practitioner to contribute and support the leadership of raising standards in teaching and learning across the department, which will inevitably have a positive and direct impact on pupils' learning and experience in science.

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.

This is a permanent, full time opportunity offering MPS/UPS Outer + TLR commensurate with experience

Working for Leigh Academy Bexley: Leigh Academy Bexley joined Leigh Academies Trust in June 2023 and has provided outstanding academic support and pastoral guidance, so that students can lead fulfilling and successful adult lives: inquisitive, articulate and internationally engaged, our students are defined by their boundless thirst for knowledge, self-improvement and learning.

We believe in providing our young people with an education; one that unlocks curiosity, ignites ambition, and forges a social conscience, equipping our students with the tools they need to have an impact on the world around them. Our teachers lead with professionalism and scholarship; they are experts in their field. All of us are part of a warm and caring family of staff, Governors and Trust colleagues who have the highest ambition and a deep hunger to learn. Our staff receives regular, first-class training to achieve mastery of their craft, amazing support to flourish every day, and a sense of shared moral purpose about the best job in the world.

Our vision is that regardless of background and regardless of their starting point, students will leave us as kind, resilient, independent learners with the right behaviour and attitudes to ensure continuous progress and achievement, ready for the next stage of their education and beyond. We want our students to be successful in their chosen careers, in their relationships and in their interaction with the world. We aspire for Leigh Academy Bexley to be a highly effective and truly inclusive school, reflecting the vibrant, diverse, and dynamic community that we serve. We believe in connecting with our local community and championing our local area.

Click here to find out more about our academy

Being part of Leigh Academies Trust: As of 1st September 2024, our Trust comprises 33 geographically organised academies (17 secondaries, 14 primaries and 2 special) educating more than 24,000 students and employing 4,000 talented staff. Nearly 40% of our academies are judged outstanding overall by Ofsted, versus 15% nationally. The Trust is establishing three ‘clusters’ of academies: LAT Central; LAT West; LAT North. 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 inline 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 is 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.

Based on the quality and quantity of applications received, Leigh Academies Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy sooner than the specified closing date. Applicants will be notified of this where possible. Therefore, early applications are encouraged.