Head of Science and Technology

Following the 12-year tenure of the current incumbent, we are looking for a well-qualified teacher with middle management experience to lead the excellent Westminster Science Department from September 2026. This will be a really exciting opportunity for the right candidate to lead one of the most successful academic Science Departments, as the School transitions to full co-education in 2028.

The successful candidate will provide inspirational and visionary strategic leadership, taking responsibility for ensuring outstanding teaching, learning and achievement in all science subjects, as well as promoting STEM beyond the classroom and Westminster in terms of partnership work.

This will mean maintaining Westminster's very high academic standards while also continuing to develop and refine curricula and pedagogy in light of the School's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The successful candidate should have an active interest in shaping pedagogy; be open to research in this area; and be able to think creatively about curriculum changes as the School moves to full co-education. Strong administrative, organisational and people skills are essential, in order to not only manage the running of the Department efficiently but to promote the academic discipline of science in Westminster and beyond.

The Head Science has overall responsibility for the science provision within the School and provides support and guidance to both individual Heads of Science (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Electronics, Physics and Product Design), and to teachers of other science subjects (Astronomy, Earth Sciences, the EPQ).

Strategic Vision:

• Create, implement and maintain a vision for the Science Department, in line with the School's strategic plan, in discussion with the individual Heads of Science, the Deputy Head (Academic) and Governing Body's Education Committee;
• Develop a co-ordinated and strategic plan for partnership work at departmental level in liaison with the Deputy Head (Community, Inclusion & Partnerships), with a particular focus on the already established Platform programme.
• Explore and develop opportunities for further academic research programmes and conferences within the community and beyond, through already established channels such as the Horizons Programme or the successful Japanese Exchange Programme.
• Liaise with the Heads of Science to review and develop the current interdisciplinary FUN-damentals of Science Year 9 course, and explore opportunities for further meaningful collaboration with other academic departments beyond the Science Department.
• Form part of key curriculum review groups, with a particular focus in 2026 on Key Stage 5.
• In conjunction with the Heads of Science and the Head of Careers, develop a more targeted approach to the provision of further education and careers advice across the science disciplines.
• In liaison with the Director of Teaching and Learning, develop a faculty strategy and approach to the use of technology, including AI in science.
• Promote and celebrate a shared strategic goal for the future of science education; help develop schemes of work that bring together overlapping skills and knowledge within the separate sciences.

Faculty Leadership and Management:

• Model, monitor and maintain high standards of teaching and learning in the Department, including regular learning walks and observations.
• Attend and contribute to Heads of Department meetings and other whole-school committees as and when requested, and distil key messages to faculty teachers.
• Hold regular meetings with the Heads of Science to discuss pedagogy, curriculum matters within and beyond Westminster, as well as addressing routine matters and inspection readiness;
• Contribute to the appraisal and professional development of the Heads of Science;
• Manage the science technicians and contribute to their appraisal and professional development.
• Maintain regular contact with other Schools' Heads of Science and attend HMC cluster groups and conferences;
• Promote and oversee collaboration with science colleagues at Harris Westminster Sixth Form;
• Co-ordinate and manage all EPQs which fall under the faculty, including liaising with the exams team on dates and deadlines for submissions.
• Co-ordinate and manage the creation and publication of the pupil-led Hooke science magazine.
• Co-ordinate and manage a science-based lecture series for the year.
• Co-ordinate, in collaboration with the Director of Platform and Widening Access, the STEM branch of the Platform+ programme.
• Coordinate and ensure adequate provision for university preparation for subjects that do not naturally fall under the remits of the individual Heads of Science, such as Psychology, Medicine and Engineering
• Review all science university outcomes and work with other Heads of Science to consider further ways to support pupils and their university applications.

Operations and Logistics:

• Produce a timetable annually in collaboration with the individual Heads of Science for all members of the Department in discussion with the Deputy Head (Academic), as well as revisions for planned absences (e.g. parental leave);
• Liaise with and support the Heads of Science regarding practical examinations for public exams.
• Contribute to the annual Department Science report for the Deputy Head (Academic) and the Head Master;
• Ensure compliance across the Department with the School's Health and Safety policy and attend all Health and Safety meetings on behalf of the Science Department;
• Draw up annual budget proposals for non-core science provision, including any co-curricular costs;
• Help with the interview process for vacant teaching posts in the department.
• Have oversight of the physical science building ('Hooke') and take a lead on discussions about development and maintenance of resources.

In addition to their academic duties, the successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the pastoral and co-curricular life of the School.

Do you have experience in Teaching?, Do you have a GCSE?, Westminster School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Contract: full-time, permanent

Salary: Westminster School has its own salary scale, and new members of staff are placed at a point relevant to their qualifications and experience. Details of salary will be discussed at interview with those candidates who are shortlisted. There is also an associated responsibility allowance with this role.

The Science Department currently comprises 36 members of staff: 26 full-time, 3 part-time and 7 technicians. Most teachers in the Department specialise in one science, where there is a strong culture of developing practical skills, ambitious scientific research and innovative teaching and learning. The Head of Science coordinates policy across all sciences; there are separate heads of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Electronics, Physics and Product Design; and manages the technicians. There is an extremely strong, broad-based interest in STEM subjects at Westminster and public examination results are first rate. All pupils in Year 9 study all 6 science subjects, as well as the Westminster bespoke FUN-damentals of Science program, incorporating more inter-disciplinary learning through the study of Astronomy and Earth Sciences. The Head of Science oversees this programme. All pupils study three separate sciences of Biology, Chemistry and Physics in Year 10, with the opportunity to drop 1 of 3 at the end of Year 10, with fewer than 10% of the year group electing to do so. Computer Science, Electronics and Product Design are part of the GCSE options block. It is typical for pupils to choose at least one of these subjects at GCSE. Separate Heads of Science have the autonomy to choose a mix of domestic and international GCSE qualifications. We also offer an out-of-block Astronomy HPQ. Similarly at A level, where all pupils undertake a 4-Alevel curriculum, there is a mixed offer of domestic and international A levels offered by individual sciences, based on fit and suitability. There is a strong continuation rate across all three sciences into the Sixth Form (Year 12) - where current boys are joined by new boy and girl entrants - particularly in Chemistry and Physics. We also offer the EPQ (Artefact) and AS Electronics as part of the extension and enrichment Options programme, and around 30 pupils select to take this route in addition to their 4 A levels. There is robust interest in studying science-based degrees at some of the top international universities, including Cambridge, Imperial and Oxford, as well as MIT and Stanford. The Science Department is also strong in its co-curricular offering, with regular clubs and societies featuring across the working week; the Robert Hooke pupil-led magazine; regular lectures with external speakers; departmental trips to places such as CERN or events at London universities; multiple Olympiads and Science Challenges; as well as Robotics and Safe-Cracking competitions. The enrichment opportunities outside of the laboratories and classrooms in the sphere of science are boundless, but of course, there is always opportunity for development and evolution., Westminster School is a busy, purposeful and vibrant place to be and an excellent workplace. The community is made up of around 750 pupils, 120 teaching staff and 108 support staff. Our staff are friendly and welcoming, and all newcomers quickly become part of the rhythm of life here. There is a real sense of community here as, being a boarding school many members of staff and pupils live on site and the School's premises are very much treated as a home away from home. School life starts before breakfast and continues way beyond the working day; as a result, there is always a lively atmosphere in and around School and always someone to share a tea and biscuit with in the Common Room. Support staff as much as teaching staff are encouraged to embrace the School's day-to-day activities, whether that be attending an evening concert or a morning service in the Abbey. At Westminster we will always select the best candidate for every position. We do know, however, that we can only truly choose the best person on every occasion if a broad and diverse pool of candidates see the job advertised and are encouraged to apply. As such, we continue to work on how our job roles are encountered, and particularly welcome applications from groups who have traditionally been underrepresented here. Westminster School is for everyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic. We hope you are encouraged to apply. The School Westminster School is an independent day and boarding school for boys aged 13-18 and girls aged 16-18, with a long history, a distinctive ethos, and a unique sense of place in the very heart of London. Pupils achieve exceptional examination results and entrance to some of the top universities in the world. It is a busy, passionate and purposeful place where independent and deep thinking is enjoyed, encouraged and respected by all, and where holistic excellence is nurtured and valued. While the School is one of the foremost centres of academic excellence in the country, its commitment to academic life does not make it a hothouse for passing examinations. Pupils' success at examinations and entry to leading universities is instead a result of their enjoyment of academic enquiry, debate and search for explanation, well beyond published syllabuses. Pupils are intellectually, socially, ethically and politically engaged and our aim is to ensure that their enthusiasm for learning is developed further, allowing them to take full advantage of the opportunities presented to them in the future. At Westminster, pupils have the freedom to lead on projects outside of the classroom and embrace a whole range of extra-curricular activities and interests. A host of pupil-led societies take place every week at the School, often with expert guest speakers, and pupils can choose to study an additional language, play an instrument or two, volunteer in local primary schools, row along the Thames, take part in plays and musicals, and much more. The School's ethos resides in the enduring values of the liberal tradition reflected in the 1560 Charter of Westminster's Elizabethan foundation, where it is stated that: 'the youth which is growing to manhood, as tender shoots in the wood of our state, shall be liberally instructed in good books to the greater honour of the state'. Whilst academic and cultural attainments are highly prized at Westminster, the School is fully committed also to each pupil's spiritual, moral, emotional and physical development and wellbeing - with a particular emphasis on drawing out individual talent wherever it lies - and to prepare young people for fulfilled private and public lives. From September 2028, the School will welcome both girls and boys at 13+ entry, offering a Westminster education to all. By 2026, Westminster Under School will have opened its brand new pre-prep for girls and boys at 4+ and girls will have joined boys in Years 3 and 7, at the 7+ and 11+ entry points. By 2030, all year groups at Westminster School and Westminster Under School, from ages four to 18, will be fully co-educational, reflecting the School's dedication to inclusivity and excellence.     If you require alternative methods of application or screening, you must approach the employer directly to request this as Indeed is not responsible for the employer's application process.