The post would suit equally a newly or recently qualified teacher (ECT/RQT) or a more experienced teacher seeking a new challenge.
About OSH
Old Swinford Hospital is one of the country’s leading state boarding schools founded in 1667. The majority of the School’s students are boarders who come from a wide range of backgrounds in the UK and also from the EU and overseas.
In September 2021, girls joined the lower school, having been studying here as Sixth Formers since 2004. To support this expansion, a modern and state-of-the art teaching building, Swinford Court, was acquired, and as such has increased the footprint of our campus by about a fifth.
At OSH, we combine academic excellence, exceptional pastoral care and a rich co-curricular programme within a distinctive community that enables every young person to thrive.
At the heart of OSH is a deep and enduring belief in the potential of every young person. Rooted in a rich heritage of educational opportunity, scholarship and character development, our school is much more than a place of learning - it's a community where students are known, valued and developed in a way that will allow them to flourish in their adult lives and contribute positively to society.
This philosophy is reflected in every aspect of life at OSH. Alongside a strong academic curriculum, we offer an extensive co-curricular programme that includes competitive sport, music, drama, the Combined Cadet Force, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, and a wide range of clubs and societies. These opportunities play a vital role in developing character, fostering curiosity and nurturing qualities such as leadership, emotional intelligence, adaptability and resilience.
About the Science Department
The Science Department is a popular and well-established academic department at OSH. Physics follows the AQA specification at both GCSE and A Level.
Consisting of eleven specialist teachers and two full time technicians, the department prepares pupils for double and triple award style qualifications at GCSE, as well as A Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Its extra-curricular STEM club prepares pupils for local competitions and national Olympiads and the department enjoys putting on trips and visits to local and more distant places of interest, from Birmingham University to CERN. A Sixth Form run ‘MedSoc’ is particularly popular amongst the biologists and chemists.
The department is fortunate to have nine labs in purpose-built accommodation. This provision is augmented by classrooms which are used for non-practical teaching.
Science is set from Year 9 and GCSE examination entries are determined at the end of Year 9. A Level science sets usually number around 14 students per set and OSH science students regularly go off to study engineering (especially automotive), medicine, biomedical and geosciences at undergraduate level.
Person Specification
- Genuine resilience, a ‘can-do’ attitude and an enthusiasm for teaching young people
- A belief that young people have potential and can achieve, despite any obstacles they may face
- A graduate teacher with a keen academic interest in the subjects from Year 7 to Year 13 and beyond
- The willingness and ability to teach English at all age and ability levels within the school, up to and including A Level
- The ability to work as part of a successful and supportive team
- Interest in taking an active part in the development of the curriculum within the school
- Interest in planning and contributing to extra-curricular activities
- Flexibility and imagination in developing new ideas and resources, as well as adapting to curriculum changes
- The ability to contribute to the wider School curriculum and the personal development of our pupils
- Commitment to becoming a pro-active, reliable and supportive form-tutor
- Commitment to the protection and safeguarding of children and young people
- To actively monitor pupil progress;
General Job Specification and Conditions of Employment
The conditions of employment set out in the current School Teachers’ Pay and conditions Document will apply. The person appointed is responsible to the Subject Leader to carry out the duties and functions of a teacher in accordance with the Teaching Standards and the stated aims and objectives of the School and the Department.
The person appointed will:
- in consultation with the Subject Leader, plan, design and produce teaching materials and resources which are appropriate to age and ability and are in accordance with the School Development Plan and the Department Development Plan
- in accordance with scheme of work, plan, deliver and review lessons which are appropriate to the age and ability of the students so as to facilitate progression in students’ learning and following the required examination syllabuses
- assess, record and report on the development, progress and attainment of the students assigned to him or her within the School guidelines
- manage the classroom and teaching equipment so as to create a supportive and positive learning environment which makes effective use of the available resources
- attend meetings, carry out administrative tasks and duties as specified in the Staff Handbook
- provide and facilitate the general progress and well-being of any individual student within any group of students assigned to him or her, providing guidance and advice to students on educational and social matters
- implement the School policy with regard to registration, student absence, dress code and enforce School rules relating to behaviour and health and safety;
- participate in full staff and departmental meetings and to contribute to School decision making and consultation procedures;
- be involved in the School Performance Appraisal process, to engage in professional development activities so as to enhance personal performance, fulfil personal potential and be able to participate effectively in the implementation of the School’s goals and Development Plan;
- establish individual active links with industry and business in order to extend both student learning and own professional development;
- to be an Academic Tutor to an assigned Tutor Group if required, and to carry out related duties in accordance with the general job description of Tutor; including meeting parents and contacting home when directed to do so by Heads of Year or SLT
- to carry out a share of supervisory duties in accordance with published rotas; this will include break duty and also a lunch duty in return for complementary school dinners
- to participate in appropriate meetings with colleagues and parents;
- Operate relevant equipment/ICT packages (e.g. MS Office, internet, intranet, EduLink, SIMS, Every, E-mail);
- Keep up-to-date knowledge of the range of external agencies and opportunities that can be used to provide extra support for students;
- Support Learning Support Assistants with day to day issues;
- Participate in the promotion of the Department and School, including Saturday morning Open Days and other Open Evenings, Induction Days and the like, and the attendance at any marketing events as requested by SLT;
- Ensure effective communication with all colleagues (teaching and support staff);
- Undertake any training required;
- Any other reasonable duties requested by the Headmaster or SLT.
Equal Opportunities
Old Swinford Hospital welcomes applications for employment from all sectors of the community.
Suitability to Work with Children
Old Swinford Hospital is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants are required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check.
The School reserves the right to close the job advert early where sufficient applications have been received and so we encourage early applications to ensure consideration for the post.
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