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Head of Science

Chesterton Community College

Salary

UPS/MPS plus TLR

Contract

Permanent

Start Date

January, 2027

Apply By

October 16, 2026

Email

Salary

UPS/MPS plus TLR

Contract

Permanent

Start Date

January, 2027

Apply By

October 16, 2026

Email

11-18 mixed College with over 1100 pupils on roll

OFSTED RATED OUTSTANDING

Chesterton Community College is seeking an exceptional and inspirational leader to become our next Head of Science. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a highly successful department that is central to the academic life and future aspirations of our students.

As a school committed to excellence, inclusion and opportunity for all, we are looking for a leader who shares our ambition to provide an outstanding educational experience, ensuring every student develops a love of science and achieves their very best.

The successful candidate will be an outstanding classroom practitioner with the vision, expertise and leadership skills to inspire colleagues, drive continued improvement and secure exceptional outcomes across Key Stages 3, 4 and 5.

At Chesterton Community College, teachers across our remarkable science department not only set out to teach students about our subjects: we aim to bring the sciences to life.

Our vision is to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to understand and explain the world around them. We do this via an expansive curriculum which spans the unimaginably small to the incomprehensibly large, with a focus on practical work to allow students to really experience science for themselves.

We require an enthusiastic, inventive, and highly motivated teacher to join and lead our dynamic team who achieve consistently outstanding results. Our department consistently ensure students achieve exceptional results, with over 76% of GCSE grades in 2026 sitting above a 7 and close to a third scoring the top grade 9.

As a school, we are innovative in realising the potential of all our students and we offer an excellent, supportive environment in which to work. There is an extensive CPD programme for all staff, underpinned by the wider Trust offer detailed below. The science faculty is highly collaborative, which leads to the production of excellent resources for our students which are shared and built upon as a team. Our staff are supported by two technicians, allowing teachers to deliver high quality and well-resourced lessons every day. As part of the role, you will Lead and manage the Science Technician team, ensuring the effective organisation of resources, health and safety compliance, and high-quality practical provision across all science disciplines.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a strong, established and high-performing team, building on a track record of excellent outcomes and a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.

We are looking for a candidate who:

  • Has a track record of excellent classroom practice in a science discipline.
  • Experience of leading and supporting colleagues
  • Has the deep subject knowledge and credibility to lead and develop science across the school.
  • Is passionate about inspiring young people to pursue science at university and beyond.
  • Can support curriculum innovation and high-quality assessment at A Level.
  • Has the interpersonal skills to build a collaborative and supportive team culture.


The role includes responsibility for:

  • Leading the strategic development of science across the school.
  • Supporting curriculum planning, assessment and quality assurance.
  • Coaching and developing colleagues.
  • Promoting enrichment opportunities including university links, competitions, research projects and outreach activities.
  • Ensuring the highest standards of student achievement and engagement.


This is an exciting time to join the school and Trust more widely: Chesterton Sixth Form continues to grow, and offers A-Levels in biology, chemistry, physics and environmental science, which attracts cohorts of dedicated and engaged sixth form scientists each year.

What can ELA offer you?

ELA offer a sector leading staff benefits offer alongside bespoke, high quality CPD programmes, cross-trust events, and exceptional opportunities for career development within our innovative family of schools.

  • ELA know that our strength is our people, so we prioritise staff wellbeing, retention and development. Over 95% of ELA staff say they’re proud to work in their school.
  • ELA are firm believers in the power of recognising, celebrating, and rewarding talent: our track record in terms of retention, internal promotion opportunities and wider career development is excellent.
  • ELA staff enjoy a sector leading staff benefits package alongside bespoke, high quality CPD programmes, cross-trust events, and exceptional opportunities for career development within our innovative family of schools.
  • You can find out all about our Trust and staff offer here.

ELA staff benefits include: 

  • Reduced contact time to enable professional development;
  • EAP with access to counselling & physiotherapy; 
  • Health care cash plan; 
  • Paid annual family day; 
  • Extensive discount club access; 
  • Cycle to work schemes; 
  • Enhanced parental leave; 
  • Flexible work practices; 
  • Laptop & mobile phone payment plans; 
  • Generous annual leave allowance for support staff; 
  • Discounted gym membership for all staff. 

Our Trust is committed to equal opportunities, to safeguarding and the promotion of the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.  All staff are expected to share this commitment and undergo the appropriate checks.  All positions within the Trust are subject to enhanced DBS checks and satisfactory references along with a Certificate of Good Conduct if applicable.  Only applications submitted on using the ELA application form will be accepted.  We do not accept applications by CV.  You can view our safeguarding policy here.

Please send a completed application form and covering letter to: Jade Harbord, Chesterton Community College, Gilbert Road, Cambridge, CB4 3NY or e-mail: . Due to the high volume of applicants, we receive for certain roles, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier that the advertised date if we have received applications that reach the criteria.

All shortlisted applicants should expect to be called for interview no more than 5 working days after the closing date. If you have not heard from us by then, your application has not been successful. Visits to Chesterton Community College are welcome. 

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