Job Description
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Full Time or Part Time (minimum 0.6fte)
Full time salary based on Sixth Form Colleges Pay scale up to £37,378 p.a. dependant on skills and experience
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the above post in this highly successful sixth form college. The College holds Good Ofsted status and also Beacon status - one of the first four sixth form colleges in the country to be awarded the latter. The College is a very large centre for science curriculum for 16 - 19 year olds and the post offers an excellent opportunity to join successful teams of staff involved in delivery of Chemistry and broader Science courses.
The College currently offers science AS/A2 level courses in Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Environmental Studies, Applied Science (changing to Applied General Certificate/Extended Certificate in 2016/17), Earth Science, Electronics and AS level Science in Society (to be withdrawn in 2016/17). IB Diploma programme science courses offered are Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Environmental Systems. The College also offers GCSE (core) Science. The College has separate Chemistry, Biology and Physics Departments with Earth Science and Environmental Science courses managed within the Geography Department. There are also strong Mathematics and Technology Departments with wide 16 - 18 curriculum offerings.
Fuller details regarding College curriculum offering is available on the College website (course heading) and also within the College Prospectus (available in the documents section of the website).
The post is open to new entrants to the profession as well as those with appropriate experience. The College offers excellent induction programmes for all new staff and has a very strong ongoing staff development programme. The College also has very good arrangements for newly qualified staff.
The successful applicant will be expected to take up post from 30th August 2016.
Personal qualities
The successful applicant should have a good honours degree in Chemistry or Science or a closely related curriculum area, and ideally a PGCE or equivalent teaching qualification. If a teaching qualification has not been achieved, it is expected that this would be undertaken on a part time basis locally, commencing 2016/17academic year, for which the College would offer some financial assistance. The appointee should be hardworking and enthusiastic, have a high level of commitment, have an interest in new developments, a specific interest in teaching and student learning and ensuring the success of 16-18 year old students and a high level of integrity.
Responsibilities of the Post Holder
The role involves the following:
a) Teaching Chemistry at AS/A2 level and some contribution to at least one broader science course - ideally either Applied Science (Applied General - Certificate/Extended Certificate, AQA) or GCSE (Core) Science. This involves all those constituent duties expected of a professional teacher, such as preparation of work in line with departmental schemes of work incorporating the requirements of relevant specifications, counselling and assessing students and keeping up to date in the subject area including undertaking appropriate INSET.
b) Working with and being responsible to the Head of the Chemistry Department and reporting to relevant course leader for Applied Science/GCSE Science role.
c) Participating in departmental matters, such as meetings and the work of the department, educational initiatives, curriculum development and developing resources
Nature of the Chemistry Department and Courses Offered
The Chemistry Department currently has over 400 students studying chemistry courses (approx 350 studying AS/A2 and 30 IB). Currently there is a well-knit team of two full time and five part time chemistry teachers supported by two experienced and well qualified technicians. Together the Chemistry Department team provides a stimulating, friendly and caring environment for the students. There are good retention rates, high attendance levels, strong examination results (including in 'value added terms') and a high progression rate from the College to science courses at universities and medical schools.
The College offers the OCR 'Salters' Chemistry course and departmental staff currently contribute to the teaching of GCSE Science. A member of the department also holds responsibility for overseeing the development and academic progress of Advanced Foundation students at the College (students improving GCSE grades). The department prepares appropriate students for Chemistry Olympiad and, also at the academic top-end, supports sizeable numbers of students applying for science courses at 'Oxbridge' or 'Russell Group' universities and medical schools each year.
Applied Science is managed within the Biology Department.
Facilities
The department is situated in the main College building and has a suite of three specialist chemistry laboratories, one preparation room, a chemical store and a staff workroom. There are also a range of other science laboratories available.
The department is well funded with excellent stocks of apparatus, chemicals and other support equipment.
There are good IT and internet facilities within the College including the provision of whiteboards, classroom projectors, a 'Moodle' Visual Learning Environment and a bank of IT resources developed internally and a staff intranet (SharePoint). College teaching staff are provided with the use of a laptop computer.
Pastoral
All qualified and experienced full time teaching staff are expected to fulfil both an academic teaching role and a pastoral role in the College, and to act as a Personal Tutor to a group of about 25 students. This involves staff in all aspects of tutorial work including, guidance, pastoral support, monitoring and encouraging progress, contact with parents, writing reports and compiling student references, and the delivery of part of the College's Personal Tutorial programme during the timetabled tutorial period. A firm commitment to this aspect of teaching in a sixth form college is essential. It is possible that this role will be assumed in the first year of appointment for experienced staff and would apply from the second year for staff new to the profession.
Additional Studies (possible involvement) Full time College teaching staff may also have opportunities to contribute to the Additional Studies programme in the College. This is very wide ranging and can often enable staff to contribute particular skills and interests where they meet College needs. Applicants should indicate if they have particular interests and again this would be discussed at the time of interview.
Remuneration
Annual salary will be in accordance with Sixth Form Colleges' Teachers Pay Scale for a Standard Mainscale Teacher, which currently involves a salary of up to £37,378.00. Salaries are reviewed by national negotiation with effect from 1st September each year. Sixth Form College sector conditions of service apply which are very similar to schools sector arrangements. Progression through the teachers' pay scale is subject to acceptable annual performance appraisal.
Please see separate document for additional relevant information with regard to the College. Substantial details about the College each departmental curriculum area also available on the College website: www.colchsfc.ac.uk including the 'documents' section which contains the 2013 OFSTED Inspection report, the latest College prospectus and the examination results amongst other materials. Course information sheets for all academic courses can be found in the 'courses' section.
To apply for this post an application form must be completed (unaccompanied CV's will not be accepted). Application forms are available from the job vacancies section of the College website and once completed should be submitted by e-mail to the Human Resources Department at humanresources@colchsfc.ac.uk or if sent by mail please address to:-
Human Resources Department
The Sixth Form College, Colchester
North Hill
Colchester
Essex CO1 1SN
Closing Date: 9.30am Monday 16th May 2016
Information about the School
The Sixth Form College, Colchester is one of the largest and most successful 16-19 providers of general sixth form education in the country Our aim is to provide broad, high quality academic and general education programme Currently we have 3150 full time students on roll and the importance of the development of each individual student is recognised. Operating as a young adult environment the College provides a bridge between the worlds of school and of higher education or employment.
As a large and innovative college a great deal of emphasis is placed on career development and training for all staff with opportunities to gain further qualifications and enhanced skills. Support, guidance, and development are offered to meet particular career needs. We value diversity and we are an equal opportunities employer.