Head of Department - Physics at Maiden Erlegh School

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About this Role

Head of Department - Physics

The Head ofDepartment provides high-quality leadership for an allocated subject area,ensuring that teaching, learning and assessment are consistently strong andthat students make exceptional progress. The role models the Trust's values andexpectations, setting a professional standard for colleagues and students andsupporting a culture that is calm, aspirational and academically rigorous.

Thepostholder will lead departmental improvement, manage resources effectively,ensure compliance with Trust and school policies, and work collaboratively withcolleagues across the school and Trust. The role also supports a "no excuses"culture through effective behaviour expectations, consistent routines and afocus on literacy, numeracy and PSMSC within the curriculum.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• Lead the subject area in line with Trust values and behaviour expectations.
• Implement school and Trust policies relating to behaviour, homework, assessment and presentation.
• Work collaboratively with middle and senior leaders to support whole-school priorities.
• Manage departmental meetings, ensuring a focus on classroom practice, curriculum development and staff development.
• Lead and contribute to recruitment, induction and appraisal processes.
• Produce Subject Development Plans aligned with the School Improvement Plan.
• Monitor staff performance, academic standards and student wellbeing.
• Manage departmental resources efficiently and within budget.
• Coordinate and evaluate departmental events and enrichment activities.
• Communicate proactively with staff, students and parents.

Student Outcomes

• Ensure all students make strong progress from their starting points.
• Identify performance differences and implement timely interventions.
• Review attainment regularly and develop strategies to secure improvement.
• Work with senior leaders to ensure students are supported, challenged and monitored effectively.
• Promote high levels of pride, engagement and presentation in the subject.

Quality of Teaching, Learning and Assessment

• Ensure teaching across the department is consistently highly effective.
• Identify best practice and share it across the team.
• Address underperformance and support staff development.
• Lead the creation and development of schemes of work, assessments and lesson plans.
• Ensure homework is meaningful, stimulating and aligned with Trust expectations.
• Oversee adjustments to teaching in response to curriculum or specification changes.
• Ensure assessments are standardised and attainment data is accurate.
• Ensure students receive appropriate, actionable feedback.
• Supervise internal examinations and support examination administration.
• Provide enrichment and extra-curricular learning opportunities.

Behaviour, Attendance and Safety

• Ensure the department reflects the Trust's calm, purposeful and aspirational ethos.
• Support colleagues to uphold strong behaviour and attendance expectations.
• Recognise student effort and progress through established reward systems.
• Ensure consistent use of Behaviour, Anti-Bullying and Equalities policies.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, Health and Safety, Data Protection and Equality requirements.
• Provide appropriate supervision during unsupervised times.

The Ideal Candidate

Professional Expertise

• Experienced and accomplished classroom practitioner able to lead a subject area.
• Strong understanding of curriculum design, assessment and subject leadership.
• Ability to implement Trust and school policies with consistency and integrity.
• Experience supporting staff development and monitoring teaching quality.
• Ability to interpret performance data and lead improvement strategies.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive professional relationships.
• Effective organisational and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to motivate staff and students in line with the school's values.
• Confident decision-making and a solution-focused approach.

Approach and Mindset

• Committed to the Trust ethos of high expectations and inclusivity.
• Positive, collaborative and reflective leadership style.
• Professional, resilient and able to model the highest standards.
• Dedicated to securing excellent outcomes and reducing performance differences for students.

About Maiden Erlegh Trust

MaidenErlegh Trust is a growing community of schools across Berkshire andOxfordshire, working together to deliver the best possible education for everychild and young person. With around 750 staff and 4,500 students across nineschools, including primary, secondary, special, and alternative provision, weare proud of the diversity that shapes our expertise.

We AimHigh, Be Inclusive, and Work Together. These values drive our focus onhigh-quality education for all, through collaboration, inclusion and continuousimprovement.

Through theMaiden Erlegh Institute, colleagues access high-quality professional learningat every stage of their career, supported by mentoring, leadershipopportunities, and our annual MET Staff Conference-a day that unites our wholeteam in sharing best practice and learning.

Joining ourTrust means being part of a community that invests in people and valuesexpertise; it is about playing a direct role in shaping the lives and outcomesof young people.

You canlearn more about working with us and hear from colleagues across our Trust byclicking here to visit our website.

Maiden Erlegh School

Maiden Erlegh School is a highly successful comprehensive school forstudents from 11-18 years old, situated in Lower Earley, near Reading. Ourstudents are a delight to work with and relationships between students andstaff are extremely positive and constructive. Students are keen to learn, curious, respectful, polite and fun. Theyrise to challenges positively and enthusiastically and have high expectationsof themselves. This is why they achieve such impressive academic and personalsuccesses, and our results continue to improve year on year - this year placingus in the top 50 schools nationally for Progress 8. We also have a thriving 6thform and many of our students stay on to study here.

Our staff are dedicated, talented professionals who go the extra milefor the students because they are committed to helping them realise theirdreams, achieve the greatest possible success, overcome any personalchallenges. Teachers are passionate about their subjects and focused ondelivering varied and stimulating lessons. Support staff work tirelessly toensure the school can provide the best education possible. We have an excellentprofessional development offering for all of our staff which helps ensure theyare satisfied in their work. We seek to develop and motivate our colleagues atevery opportunity, and we offer a very warm welcome to all our new team memberswhen they join us.

Benefits

Further information about working at Maiden Erlegh Trust can be found onour website here. Staffwellbeing and professional development are central to how we work, andcolleagues across our Trust benefit from a range of opportunities and schemesdesigned to recognise their contribution and support their growth.
• • Pension Scheme

Generous employer contributions with auto-enrolment into either the Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme, both Career Average Revalued Earnings schemes.
• Annual Leave
A generous holiday entitlement that increases with length of service.
• ME Day
One day of additional leave each year to attend a significant personal event (e.g. child's sports day, graduation, family celebration).
• Professional Development
A comprehensive programme of professional learning through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, including opportunities to attend and deliver CPD.
Annual all-staff Conference featuring workshops, networking and learning.
Access to development opportunities via the Apprenticeship Levy and participation in professional networks.
• Hybrid Working
For eligible roles, a balanced blend of remote and on-site working arrangements.
• Perkbox
Access to a wide range of discounts and wellbeing resources, plus 25 Perk Points each month to exchange for goods and services.
• Wellbeing and Health
Free flu vaccinations for all staff and free eye tests for eligible colleagues.
• Employee Assistance Programme
Access to 24/7 support, discount vouchers and additional wellbeing services.
• Mental Health First Aid Support
Access to trained Mental Health First Aiders across the Trust.
• Recognition and Community
Regular celebration of achievements, milestones and contributions across our schools, reinforcing a strong sense of belonging within the #TeamMET community.
• Employee Referral Scheme
Financial incentives for referring successful candidates to the Trust.

Working for our Trustmeans contributing to something larger by supporting the education and lifechances of children and young people every day.

AdditionalInformation

If you believe this is an environment where you canthrive, develop and make a meaningful contribution to the future of our Trustand its schools, please contact recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org for an informal discussion.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early as we reservethe right to close the advert and interview at any time.

Maiden Erlegh Trust is an equal opportunities employer.We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Thesuccessful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactoryreferences.