Head of ChemistryCouncil

About the Position

Start Date:  1st January 2027

Contract Type: Teaching (Permanent) (Six-Month Probationary Period)

Salary Grade:  Teaching Staff Main Pay Scale/Upper Pay Scale

Salary Range:  £34,924 to £51,188 – dependant on experience (subject to pay award)

TLR: £4465

Responsible to: Mrs C Fisher

The Post

A rare opportunity has arisen for a full-time Head of Chemistry and applications for this position are invited from suitably experienced teachers. The successful candidate will be a well-qualified teacher of Science, who is committed to the highest standards of academic achievement and behaviour and will genuinely enjoy working with teenagers of all abilities. The post holder must be able to teach Science up to Key Stage 4 and the ability to offer Chemistry to KS5 is essential.

Please note that applicants must have the right to work in the UK and we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for international applicants.

We believe that this post offers an excellent opportunity for job satisfaction and for personal and professional development. It provides an exciting opportunity to work in a large and high-performing department with supportive & caring colleagues. As part of a recently completed ten-year £10m capital investment programme, our Science Department has benefited from a £1.2m refurbishment and modernisation, meaning that lessons are taught in state-of-the-art laboratories and classrooms.

Prince Henry’s has been oversubscribed for several years and it is a feature of our intake that the very great majority of our students wish to do well and work hard with the school to achieve this. Science subjects enjoy a high profile within the school, with many students going on to study science-related subjects at top universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. The Department is a strong one, which is well regarded by students, staff, parents and carers.

Prince Henry’s offers a full programme of STEM and other extra-curricular activities made possible by the outstanding commitment of members of staff. The successful candidate will be most welcome to contribute to the school’s general programme of extra-curricular activities.

The Science Department

The Science Department is the largest in the school. Members of the Science Department teach at least two Science subjects to GCSE.

The management structure is currently as follows:

Head of Science & Chemistry: Mrs Amy Service

Head of Biology: Mrs Hannah Oldham

Head of Physics: Mr Matthew Pethybridge

In addition, the teaching team (some of whom are part-time) comprises: Miss Jasmine Allan, Mrs Amy Allen, Miss Louisa Davis, Mrs Claire Fisher (Assistant Head), Mrs Thea Fyles, Mrs Jodie Kirby, Mr Mike Line, Mrs Antonia Lungley (Deputy Head), Mr John Martin (Deputy Head of Sixth Form), Mrs Sarah Nolan (SENDCO), Mrs Hannah Oldham, Dr James Orme, Miss Ceri Park (Deputy SENDCO) and Mr Marcus Taylor.

In addition, there are two Laboratory Technicians: Mrs Natalie Jones (Senior Technician) assisted by Mrs Helen Keen. From January 2027 the management structure will comprise : Head of Biology, Head of Chemistry, Head of Physics and Head of KS4 Science all on a TLR equivalent to £4465

Curriculum Year 9

Students start the year by recapping key Science skills. They then start the GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy course (AQA). All students are taught in mixed ability classes and have 7 periods of Science a fortnight (14% of curriculum time). The Scheme of Work also covers those areas usually covered in the third year of KS3 based on QCA guidelines.

Years 10 & 11

The most able students have 12 periods a fortnight and follow the GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics courses (AQA) leading to three separate GCSEs. All other students complete the Combined Science: Trilogy (AQA) course leading to two GCSEs. These students are taught in mixed ability classes. They have 10 periods a fortnight. (For 2026-2027 Y11 students have 11 hours of Science)

Years 12 & 13

Students can choose : A Level Biology (OCR), A Level Chemistry (AQA) and A Level Physics (AQA. All ‘A’ Levels are taught in 9 lessons per fortnight with 2 teachers.

Science Accommodation

All the Science Laboratories are housed on two levels within the school’s main teaching block. Following the award of funding from the ESFA, a £1.2 million programme has seen the refurbishment and modernisation of the department and the provision of 11 fully equipped laboratories, 3 prep rooms including a large, wellappointed departmental office.

Applications

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates (and should be submitted using the online application form which can be accessed via the school’s website https://www.princehenrys.worcs.sch.uk/

If you have any queries regarding this vacancy, please contact the Headteacher’s PA, Mrs Marie Wall. Potential applicants are welcome to telephone Mrs Claire Fisher, Assistant Headteacher to discuss this post or to arrange to visit the school prior to submitting an application, if they wish. Alternatively, please contact Marie Wall.

Closing date:  5th October 2026, 9am

Interview date:  During week commencing 12th October 2026