Head of Science

Head of Science

Welcome from the Head

Thank you for your interest in King’s House School. I am very proud of our staff here
at KHS, and we are a friendly and caring school with a strong sense of community,
where pupils can thrive and flourish. The pastoral aspect of school life is at the heart of
everything we do, and we pride ourselves on providing an inclusive environment that is
both nurturing and challenging. I am proud of the supportive and collaborative culture at
King’s House, which helps staff and pupils to be the best they can be.

It is a joy to watch our pupils grow into confident young people, ambassadors for King’s
House when they leave us at 13+ to go onto a wide range of day and boarding Senior
Schools. We value a broad and balanced academic education, enabling our pupils to
develop their academic, social, sporting, emotional and artistic attributes.

We are committed to recruiting excellent staff across our teaching and non-teaching
departments and King’s House School Enterprises, with the opportunity to develop
careers. You will be joining the school at an exciting time, when we are investing in
our facilities to ensure an inspiring education for students for many years to come. In
September 2024, the school moved to coeducation with girls currently in over half of our
year groups.

I hope this provides you with a flavour of what life is like at King’s House School, with a
staff team who develop enthusiastic young people who can be relied upon to make a
positive contribution in all areas of school life.

Mark Turner
Head

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rooms, two science laboratories, a new design technology room and music area.
There are three forms in each year group. Forms are mixed-ability in Years 4 - 6
with some subjects setted, and streamed in Years 7 and 8. Pupils experience
increasing exposure to subject specialist teachers, who will teach a range of year
groups and sometimes more than one subject. The curriculum the pupils follow
prepares them for Common Entrance at the end of Year 8.

Throughout their time at King’s House, the pupils are encouraged to take part in
art, drama, music and sporting activities. There are productions every year for all
year groups, concerts and many more performance opportunities for music, as
well as numerous games fixtures and sporting activities. There are also outings
for all years to enrich the curriculum, and from Year 3 residential trips in the
summer term.

King’s House offers its pupils a broad and balanced curriculum and prepares
them well for their transition on to their next school. We cherish each pupil as an
individual and provide them with the skills and mental resilience to succeed in
whatever path they choose to take. Small class sizes means that we can get to
know each child and identify their unique strengths, interests and passions.

King’s House School

King’s House School was founded in Richmond in 1946 and has been a boys’ prep
school since then until September 2024, when girls joined for the first time as we
move to co-education. The school operates on three sites in or around Kings Road,
which is on the very pleasant setting of Richmond Hill. The Senior Department (for
pupils from Year 4 to Year 8) is at 68 Kings Road, the Junior Department on its own
site just down the hill, and the Nursery around the corner on Princes Road. The
school also has a 35-acre sports ground just over Barnes Bridge, where there are
numerous pitches, athletics facilities, cricket nets, tennis courts, two 3G pitches and
all-weather pitch.

All children in the Nursery are guaranteed a place in Reception, and there are also
small intakes at Years 3, 4 and 7. Pupils generally stay until 13 when they move on
to a wide range of single-sex, co-ed, day and boarding schools, with a number each
year gaining scholarships.

The Nursery operates from its own site in a carefully restored building on Princes
Road. The youngest children, in Hedgehog Class (rising 3s), are based on the top
floor and Squirrels and Rabbits Class (rising 4s) on the ground floor. There is a very
positive, caring atmosphere to the Nursery, and the ground floor has an additional
Woodland Library also used for small group activities and specialist teaching. The
Nursery has its own dedicated staff supplemented with specialists from the school
PE, Music, Drama and Copmuting departments.

The Junior Department (JD) is housed in two Victorian buildings which have
been sensitively redesigned and linked to provide an exciting and stimulating
environment for the pupils. There is a two-form entry to Reception with about forty
children in the year group. This number grows to about 48 in Year 3 with three
forms. The class teachers deliver the vast majority of the curriculum, but pupils
do have lessons with specialist teachers for Music, languages, PE and Games and
Computing. All children take swimming lessons at a local pool from Years 1 - 3, and
the Early Years and Key Stage 1 regular use The Nest, the outdoor learning area the
Sports Ground. Pupils have Games lessons at the Grounds from Year 1 once a week,
and twice a week from Year 3.

Pupils move to the Senior Department site for Year 4. This is the original school
site and has been developed substantially since then. It is a deceptively large area
which includes the school’s theatre, gym, Astro turf pitch, two computer

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The Role

There is an exciting opportunity to join our Science Department, either as a
Science Teacher or our Head of Science. The overall role of the teacher at King’s
House School is to provide the pupils within the school with high quality
teaching to promote their learning and well- being, being constantly mindful of
their pastoral needs.

How to apply: please complete the application form on our website

https://kingshouseschool.org/application-form/

Closing Date: 15th May 2026

Start Date: 1st September 2026

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Salary: King’s House Salary Scale
Reporting to: Deputy Head
Contract type: Full time, permanent
Free school lunches during term time
Generous contributions to a defined contribution pension scheme

We welcome early applications and will consider holding interviews before the
closing date for strong candidates.

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Job Description

Responsibilities

To include but not limited to:

Head of Science (if applicable)

• be accountable for Science throughout the school
• oversee and support all staff teaching Science
• work closely with the Junior Dept Science Coordinators
• implement systems of assessment that facilitate coordination and continuity between year

groups and sections of the school

• oversee the progression of Science throughout the school
• formulate and update the departmental documentation, which provides guidelines of

principles of good practice in Science teaching and gives a framework through which the
demands of National Curriculum, Common Entrance and Scholarship examinations can be met
in the light of current teaching practice and changes in syllabus

• formulate and update the Scheme of Work
• monitor and ensure that the Scheme of Work is being followed throughout the school
• monitor marking, ensuring that the school and departmental marking policies are being

followed

• produce and implement the department development plan
• organise events and excursions that support the Science curriculum
• set an example of good practice in Science teaching
• analyse the training needs of all those teaching Science and provide training from external

sources or in-house to meet those needs

• provide and set appropriate tasks for absent colleagues
• coordinate the preparation, setting and marking of appropriate examinations including

preparing pupils for Scholarship, CE, and individual senior school examinations

• monitor and assess Science results
• cost and submit an annual budget bid and then monitor purchases to remain within that

budget

• check and organise the resources and equipment so that they are stored safely and used fully

by all the appropriate staff

• oversee the work of the Laboratory Technician
• order new equipment and books as necessary to meet the demands of the curriculum within

the allocated budget

• provide an agenda for and chair departmental meetings
• attend Heads of Department and Health and Safety meetings
• liaise with other schools particularly senior schools on changing requirements and new

syllabuses

• liaise with parents and other staff

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Job Description

Responsibilities

To include but not limited to:
Professional Duties and Expectations (subject specific)

• Deliver high-quality Science teaching with strong subject knowledge and a passion for the

subject.

• Plan and deliver engaging lessons in biology, chemistry and physics, that cater to diverse

learning styles and abilities.

• Demonstrate proficiency in the use of practical laboratory equipment.
• Manage groups of students effectively during practical investigations while ensuring high

standards of health and safety.

• Engage in ongoing professional development to enhance subject expertise and teaching

practice.

• A willingness to contribute to the school’s extracurricular science programs, fostering

curiosity beyond the classroom.

• Stay informed about developments in science education and integrate best practices into

teaching.

• Create a positive and inclusive learning environment that supports and challenges all

students.

• Work flexibly and collaboratively with other staff in the department and across sites

Duties as a Form Teacher (where appropriate)

• be the first point of contact for pupils and parents
• be responsible in the first instance for the general welfare of the pupils in that form
• be responsible for overseeing a pupil’s academic and social progress in school that year
• co-ordinate the form’s school reports and write a general report for these pupils
• register the form each morning
• disseminate any information or correspondence as required
• maintain an ordered, attractive Form Room in which the pupils can take pride as their base
• help the form to develop a collective spirit of loyalty, trust and support
• prepare a form assembly annually

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Job Description

Responsibilities

To include but not limited to:

Professional Duties and Expectations (applicable to all teaching roles)
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support and promote the aims and ethos of the school
treat all members of the community, colleagues (teaching and non- teaching) and pupils, with
respect and consideration
treat all pupils fairly, consistently and without prejudice
set a good example to pupils in terms of dress
arrive at school in good time (by 8am) and remain at school until the end of the working day,
allowing enough time after this for further preparation
carry out break and supervisory duties as designated
promote the aims of the school when attending and participating in events such as assemblies,
Visitor Mornings and sports, music and drama events
take responsibility for own professional development and participate in training when provided
reflect on own practice and contribute to the process of continuous improvement of the school
e.g participation in mutual observation process (within department and across the school)
contribute to the school's extra-curricular programme according to the needs of the school and
own personal interests and expertise and/or participate similarly in the games programme
contribute to the corporate life of the school through effective participation in all meetings
read and adhere to all the school policies as outlined in the school Handbook (on line) and
contribute to the development of new policies
undertake all responsibilities as prescribed within school policies
ensure that all deadlines are met as published
undertake professional duties as may be reasonably assigned
be proactive and take responsibility for matters relating to health and safety and all other
legislative requirements
take on opportunities for additional roles and responsibilities
attend school outings and take part in residential trips as needed
drive a minibus and be first aid trained if possible
support and promote the school in the development and maintenance of its charitable aims

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Person Specification

The ideal candidate will have some or all of the following:

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Appropriate qualifications (eg. Degree)
Educated to degree level (Science or Primary Trained with an interest in
Science is desirable)
Relevant teaching qualification - PGCE or equivalent
The role could be suitable for an ECT, if looking to become a Science
Teacher
Proven track record of successful learning and teaching in range of
subjects
Excellent classroom management skills
Ability to work collaboratively and supportive
Enthusiasm for teaching and desire to help young people to succeed

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• Willingness to contribute to the extra-curricular life of the school
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An ability to teach other subjects would be an advantage
Experience being a Head of Department advantageous

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Safeguarding

King’s House School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of
children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants
must be willing to undergo the child protection screening appropriate to the post,
including checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service and references from
previous employers. Staff must be aware of the systems within the School which
support safeguarding and must act in accordance with the school’s Safeguarding
& Child Protection policy and Code of Conduct. Staff will receive appropriate child
protection training which is regularly updated.

Equal Opportunities Employer

King’s House School is an equal opportunities employer that believes in equal
opportunities for all, celebrates, and welcomes diversity. Employment decisions
throughout the school are made without regard to any status protected by law.

If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the application process,
please feel free to contact our HR Manager via email:
towersey-veal.g@kingshouseschool.org or detail the adjustments in your
application.

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Staff Benefits

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020 8940 1878     info@kingshouseschool.org

King’s House School, 68 Kings Road, Richmond, TW10 6ES