Applications for September 2025 are closed. Applicants should check their emails for updates. (Updated: 10/04/25)

Head of Physics (maternity cover)

The Post
Head of Physics (maternity cover)
 
Starting 26 August 2025
 
£41,163 – £55,582 inclusive per annum
 
We are seeking to appoint a head of physics (maternity cover) at Imperial College London Mathematics School. This is a full-time and temporary post currently anticipated to run for one year.
 
Imperial Maths School delivers a highly specialised A level STEM-based curriculum to enthusiastic young people from north London and the wider region. The school aims to attract high achieving students from groups who do not normally progress to the most competitive university STEM courses. We exist to support the development of the next generation of STEM leaders, and to build a STEM sector that is representative of wider society. We are a small and growing school and we are able to respond to our students as individuals – our current Year 13 cohort has 43 students, and our current Year 12 cohort has 61 students, and over 90% of students study physics.
 
The head of physics will lead a small team alongside one other physics teacher. Consequently, we are looking for someone who combines two important qualities: the expertise required to be an excellent A level teacher of physics, and an enthusiasm for the broader challenge of leading a small department and developing a curriculum. This will involve commitment to the broader aspects of Imperial Maths School’s offer, including contributions to the super-curriculum, extending students beyond their A levels, and the Outreach work of the school.
 
Many of our students are physics enthusiasts: 19% of our Year 13 cohort have applied to degrees in physics, and 58% have applied to degrees physics or engineering. We have a telescope and an astronomy club and a physics and engineering society where students present to each other in areas of their own interest. Students take part in the British Physics Olympiad and the Physics Senior Challenge with enthusiasm and many progress to subsequent rounds. We visit the Imperial physics department each year and in January 2025 we took 21 students to CERN; we plan to do the same in January 2026. We deliver the Edexcel A level Physics specification.
 
This is a rare and exciting opportunity to lead an exceptional physics department and contribute to building an exceptional school.
 
In line with the ethos and purpose of the school, we welcome applications from teachers from groups who are currently underrepresented in STEM industries and university courses.
 
Salaries will be on the sixth form college teachers’ salary scale between Point 3 and Point 9 which is currently £35,306 and £49,725 depending on experience, plus £3,252 Outer London Weighting per annum. In addition, a responsibility allowance will be paid for head of department duties. This will be at the additional responsibility allowance (RA4) of £2,605 per annum.
 
Closing date for applications is Friday 25 April at 9.00 am. Please note that interviews will take place on the 2 May 2025.
 
The Trust is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from black and minority ethnic groups which are currently underrepresented. The Trust is committed to safeguarding and the promotion of the welfare of children and young people.
Job Description
 
A. Job Purpose
 
To be responsible to the headteacher for the leadership and management of the physics department. To develop a physics curriculum that fits the ethos and values of ICLMS and is integrated with the mathematics curriculum, to ensure that students have an excellent physics education. To promote physics across the school, and in the wider community through Outreach work, with the aim of widening participation in physics and mathematical sciences.
 
B. Major Tasks
 
1. Fulfil the role of subject teacher and personal tutor.
2. Undertake the leadership and management of the department.
3. Monitor, review and advise on the quality of teaching, learning and student progress.
4. Represent and promote the department's needs.
5. Lead the planning, implementation and delivery of a relevant area of the super-curriculum.
6. Lead the planning and delivery of a relevant area of the Outreach curriculum and strategy.
7. Carry out other delegated duties appropriate to status within the school.
 
C. Job Activities

1. Teacher & Personal Tutor
 
See ‘Professional Duties/Job Description’ available under ‘additional information’.
 
2. Leadership and Management of the Department
 
2.1 Ensure that the courses and specifications offered are appropriate to meet both the range of student ability and progression needs.
2.2 Develop, evaluate and monitor a scheme of work appropriate to the needs of ICLMS students, in line with the objectives, vision and values of the school.
2.3 Liaise with teachers in other areas of the curriculum to ensure that the course complements other programmes of study, and opportunity for cross-curricular links are maximised.
2.4 Seek opportunities to extend and/or broaden students’ experience of physics beyond the A level specifications, including supporting university preparation in subject areas related to physics.
2.5 Establish, maintain and develop good working relationships with all colleagues in the department.
2.6 Take responsibility for ensuring new staff, including ECTs, are fully supported and that suitable mentoring is made available throughout their probationary period. Provide the appropriate levels of support and supervision for teaching practice students when present.
2.7 Liaise with the headteacher over the planning of the deployment and timetabling of staff.
2.8 Ensure departmental practice promotes and complies with the Trust’s policy on safeguarding.
2.9 Lead the department in identifying appropriate aims and strategies to promote equality and diversity.
2.10 Ensure departmental returns (e.g. self-assessment, development plans, budget plans, student assessments, examination board entrance/coursework requirements and questionnaires) are accurate and completed by the stipulated deadline.
2.11 Chair regular timetabled department meetings and maintain proper records of the meetings.
2.12 Ensure department staff keep full and accurate records of students' attainment and progress and use these records to shape future teaching and other interventions with students.
2.13 Ensure department staff comply with school procedures on student attendance and punctuality.
2.14 Take responsibility for the oversight of resources and the completion of the variety of administrative tasks which are necessary for the effective operation and welfare of the department e.g. ordering of books, equipment and other materials, health and safety issues, the keeping of an up-to-date inventory.
2.15 Ensure that an up-to-date lab safety policy is in place and adhered to.
2.16 Ensure that hazardous materials are stored, used and disposed of appropriately, and that equipment is appropriately used and stored.
2.17 Update and maintain high quality displays throughout the department to stimulate learning and promote interest in the department’s work.
2.18 Ensure that the department meets and implements the school's strategic and annual operational objectives.
2.19 Ensure the department meets and implements the targets identified in its development plan.
2.20 Ensure that decisions made by the Senior Leadership Team are successfully implemented.
2.21 Ensure the department is fully prepared for both Internal and Ofsted Inspections and responds quickly and positively to areas of identified weakness.
2.22 Ensure that all department staff are aware of the school's curriculum policies and that they comply with other current policies and procedures.
 
3. Monitoring the Quality of Teaching, Learning and Achievement
 
3.1 Conduct an annual review of the overall performance of the department, within the context of the school’s strategic, operational and department (development) plans and school policy. Implement appropriate strategies for overcoming any identified weaknesses.
3.2 Monitor the effectiveness of the teaching and the use of resources within the department, including compliance with the school's policy on classroom observation.
3.3 Oversee the effectiveness of the department's monitoring of student progress and target-setting to ensure students achieve the highest standard of which they are capable.
3.4 Take responsibility for identifying initial strategies to deal with both poor quality teaching, and/or inappropriate student learning experiences. Ensure the appropriate line managers are informed.
3.5 Take responsibility for ensuring the department's staff keep up-to-date with both professional and subject developments.
 
4. Represent and Promote the Department
 
4.1 Identify and promote the requirements of the department to Senior Leadership Team.
4.2 Take responsibility for updating the department's development and annual budget plan and presenting them to the Senior Leadership Team.
4.3 Assist in identifying the staffing needs of the department within the context of projected student numbers and sets.
4.4 Contribute to the construction of the timetable by assisting in the planning of the deployment of department staff and utilisation of accommodation.
4.5 Identify the staff development needs of the department and present an analysis as part of the action and budget planning process.
4.6 Oversee the department's arrangements for marketing the department including at open days, taster days and/or open evenings and the updating of prospectus content, subject leaflets, website and other promotional materials.
4.7 Maintain good relationships with Imperial College London and other Maths Schools.
4.8 Be responsible for the promotion and presentation of the department to external stakeholders, such as staff and pupils in feeder schools, other Maths Schools, parents, universities, industry partners and relevant outside agencies.
4.9 Develop Outreach programmes to support schools across north London with physics education
4.10 Identify and seek opportunities to improve the uptake of physics by groups currently under-represented in STEM industries and university courses.
 
5. Additional Delegated Duties
 
5.1 Assist in the appointment of applicants, where appropriate, for teaching and/or technician posts within the department.
5.2 Participate as required in the Trust's appraisal system.
5.3 Assist in the decisions regarding student applying for admission to the school, as required, including, but not limited to, interviewing applicants.
5.4 Write UCAS references and advise students, where appropriate, on higher education and careers choices.
Person Specification
 
Essential Requirements
 
1. Honours degree in physics or a related discipline.
2. PGCE or equivalent post-16 teaching qualification.
3. Recent successful experience of teaching A level physics.
4. Experience of teaching, or the ability to teach, the whole of the A level physics specification.
5. Excellent classroom skills and the ability to employ a range of teaching strategies which engage and support students in the promotion of high-quality learning.
6. Experience in developing learning resources.
7. Enthusiasm for physics beyond the A level specification and the ability to convey that enthusiasm in teaching A level students.
8. Leadership skills and the ability and drive to unite a team around a vision to maintain and improve standards.
9. Record of successful use of intervention strategies to improve levels of progress.
10. Skilled in using assessment data and prior learning to inform planning.
11. Ability and willingness to develop ‘hybrid’ and remote teaching skills as necessary.
12. Good behaviour management skills.
13. Excellent communication and team working skills.
14. The inter-personal skills and enthusiasm required to undertake the duties of a personal tutor to post-16 age group.
15. Understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in practice.
16. Commitment to safeguarding the interests and needs of young people.
17. Commitment to widening participation in physics and STEM and contributing to Outreach work.
 
Desirable Requirements
 
1. Recent successful experience in leading and/or supporting other staff, or in taking responsibility of areas of work.
2. Experience of working with high attaining sixth form students and preparing students for admission to high-tariff universities for study in physics or related disciplines.
3. Working knowledge of computer programming languages (eg. Python) and the ability to teach and support high-attaining students with coding and computer programming.
4. Post graduate study in physics or a related discipline.
5. A working knowledge of Microsoft Teams to set work and communicate with students and other staff.

Personal Qualities
 
1. Energy, commitment and enthusiasm for building a school from the start.
2. Flexibility and adaptability.
3. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills / team working.
Additional Information
 
The following documents will only be available until the closing date, therefore, please download them as you may need to refer to them prior to the interviews, if you are shortlisted. 
 
Job description 
 
Person specification 
 
Job description for teachers 
 
Some of the benefits of working at the Trust:
 
  • Very strong learning ethos
  • Positive workplace culture
  • Excellent pension schemes (TP and LGPS)
  • Generous holiday entitlement (Support staff)
  • Option to apply to sabbatical schemes
  • Internal CPD programme
  • Well-resourced library for staff personal use
  • Bike Scheme
  • Free eye tests and contribution towards glasses
  • Free flu jabs
  • Workstation assessments
  • Free parking on site
  • Employee Assistance Programme – free counselling and support and guidance on a wide range of topics
  • Wisdom Wellbeing App by Health Assured
  • Excellent sports facilities for staff badminton, football and table tennis
If you require any further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us on personnel@imperialmathsschool.ac.uk
 
We look forward to hearing from you.