HEAD OF KS3 SCIENCE

Salary: MPS/UPS plus a TLR2C (£3,527 per annum)

Contract: Permanent. Full time or Part Time

Start date: September 2026

Place of work:     Comberton Village College, Comberton         

Are you a charismatic, values-driven leader with the passion and expertise to design an exceptional Key Stage 3 science curriculum? We are seeking an inspiring and ambitious Head of KS3 Science who believes deeply in inclusion, is committed to championing the most disadvantaged learners, and has the creativity and intellectual rigour to ensure every pupil secures the strongest possible foundations for success at GCSE, A Level and beyond.

About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to lead and shape the Key Stage 3 science curriculum at the heart of a large, well-established Science department. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in ensuring that pupils experience Biology, Chemistry and Physics in ways that are ambitious, coherent and deeply engaging from the very start of their secondary education.

The role would suit either an experienced and ambitious teacher ready to take on curriculum leadership, or an established middle leader seeking a focused and impactful responsibility. Teachers from any science discipline are encouraged to apply, though candidates with a physics or chemistry background would be especially welcome.

The successful candidate will be well-supported by the Head of Science, the Trust Lead for Science, and the school’s Senior Leadership Team, while having the autonomy to design and refine a KS3 curriculum that is creative, conceptually rigorous and carefully sequenced to prepare pupils exceptionally well for Key Stage 4 and post-16 study.

We are looking for a leader who:

·       Holds uncompromisingly high expectations for all pupils, with a proven commitment to securing strong outcomes and excellent scientific understanding from the very start of KS3—especially for those who face the greatest barriers.

·       Is passionate about curriculum design, with the ability to develop an engaging, knowledge-rich and ambitious KS3 science curriculum that lays the strongest foundations for success at GCSE, A Level and beyond.

·       Has a deep appreciation of disciplinary thinking in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, and understands how conceptual understanding at KS3 underpins future success.

·       Brings people with them through positivity, clarity and enthusiasm, supporting colleagues to deliver high-quality KS3 teaching and inspiring pupils’ love of science.

·       Champions inclusion at every level, ensuring that all pupils feel challenged, supported and able to thrive within science lessons.

·       Is determined to make KS3 science exceptional, with a relentless focus on curriculum coherence, effective pedagogy and continuous improvement.

What We Offer

·       A committed, reflective and enthusiastic Science team who value collaboration and curriculum thinking.

·       A school culture that prioritises professional learning, staff wellbeing and intellectual curiosity.

·       Pupils who are motivated, inquisitive and eager to engage with a rich and ambitious science curriculum.

·       Excellent facilities, strong trust-level support and a senior leadership team committed to subject excellence and leadership development.

‘Pupils here are not taught just to pass exams. They acquire the skills and knowledge they need to be first-rate mathematicians, scientists, historians, and artists, among others.’ (Ofsted, November 2024)

About Science at Comberton
All pupils study Biology, Chemistry and Physics from Years 7–11, following a carefully designed curriculum that builds deep conceptual understanding and strong ‘working scientifically’ skills. At Key Stage 3, the curriculum is structured to develop curiosity, precision and disciplinary thinking, ensuring pupils are exceptionally well prepared for the demands of GCSE study.

At Key Stage 4, students follow either AQA Trilogy Combined Science (two GCSEs) or opt for three separate GCSE sciences. Uptake in Separate Sciences is high across the ability range.

Comberton Sixth Form offers a broad suite of A Level Sciences, including Biology, Chemistry and Physics, as well as Environmental Science, all of which are highly popular and achieve strong outcomes.

Enrichment and Extra-Curricular Science
- Lectures and seminars with local scientific organisations and universities.
- Practical fieldwork and investigative laboratory experiences that deepen scientific thinking.
- A wide programme of subject-related trips, both within the UK and internationally.
- Super-curricular pathways designed to extend academic curiosity beyond the classroom.

About Our School
We are a highly successful, community mixed comprehensive school with Teaching School status, set in a pleasant rural location just five miles from the centre of Cambridge. We currently educate around 2,000 pupils aged 11–18, including a thriving sixth form centre that opened in September 2011.

Our pupils are well-motivated, staff morale is excellent, and outcomes at both KS4 and KS5 are consistently strong across our comprehensive intake. The school has been rated Outstanding by Ofsted over many years, with our most recent inspection in November 2024 confirming Outstanding in all categories.

For further details on our school please visit our website www.combertonvc.org.