Physics Teacher

Founded in 1858, West Buckland School hasgrown into a vibrant and inspiringcommunity. Set within nearly 100 acres ofstunning North Devon biosphere, the schoolenjoys an exceptional location close torenowned surfing beaches and surroundedby unspoilt countryside. This unique setting celebrated as “world classby nature” reflects the standard of educationwe deliver. From Nursery through to SixthForm, we are proud to offer a truly world-classlearning experience in a place where studentscan thrive both academically and personally.West Buckland School, Barnstaple, Devon EX32 0SX +44 (0) 1598 76000 Email: recruitment@westbuckland.com www.westbuckland.comPhysics TeacherPart-time, temporaryAt West Buckland School, we proudly standamong the leading independent schools in the UK,for boys and girls aged 3 to 18. Our ethosdistinguishes us, as we prioritise shaping theschool experience around each child. With acommitment to exceptional teaching, we placethe child at the heart of all we do. Our ultimategoal is to empower every individual to discovertheir unique excellence. The school’s buildings and facilities have developedsteadily throughout its history and, in recent years,over £14m has been invested in outstanding facilities.These include an excellent sports complex, includingthe Jonathan Edwards Sports Centre, and theaward-winning 150 Building, which includes the Artand Design & Technology Departments and aTheatre. Parker’s, a seventy bed, Sixth Form boardinghouse and The Michael Morpurgo Library, a state-of-the-art building comprising of study facilities, libraryand resource centre, opened in autumn 2015. Academic standards at the school are high and, formany years, West Buckland School has been one ofthe most consistently high-performing schools in theSouth West at GCSE and A-level. A-level resultstypically exceed 75% A* to B and at GCSE over 50% ofgrades are A* and A. Perhaps, more importantly, weprize most what our students become, not what theyget. The school has a proud record in Sport, Drama,Music, the Combined Cadet Force, OutdoorEducation and the Duke of Edinburgh AwardScheme.Physics teacher (A-level)The role West Buckland School is looking for an outstanding teacher of A-level physics from 1 September2026. The successful candidate will be able to motivate their students and work collaborativelywithin the Physics Department, with science colleagues and across the school. stOur Physics Department sits as an independent subject area, with a Department Head andspecialist support from a technician. The department has purpose‐built laboratories with digitalprojection and wi-fi access. All students and staff are issued with laptops. Laboratories are wellequipped and practical work features strongly in the schemes of work for all year groups. There arecurrently two teaching staff working across the department.At GCSE, we offer three science pathways to students: all three single sciences, Combined Sciences(trilogy) or Combined Sciences (single award).At A-Level, we follow the OCR physics specification). Many students decide to study physics orrelated subjects at university; engineering has been one of the most popular degree choices overthe past fifteen years. As well as A-level biology and chemistry, we also offer Level 3 BTEC AppliedScience, which produces excellent results.Job Description1. Purpose and Ethos of the RoleTeachers at West Buckland School play a central role in delivering the premium academicexperience expected by pupils and parents. They cultivate a safe, engaging, innovative, intellectuallyrigorous and challenging learning environment, underpinned by:expert subject knowledgepassion for teaching and for their pupilssound pedagogical and technological skillprofessional integrity and high personal standardsTeachers contribute to a community built on the school’s values and ethos, fostering anenvironment where students flourish, staff thrive, and collective success is possible. 2. Professional Standards and Conduct Teachers will: Meet all the national Teachers’ Standards, upholding the highest levels of professional conduct.Demonstrate strong subject knowledge, clarity of explanation, and secure curriculumunderstanding.Maintain exemplary organisation, punctuality and communication.Embrace challenge, reflect honestly on practice, support colleagues, and contribute to thewellbeing of others.Engage in continual professional learning through learning walks, peer observations,moderation, work scrutiny, coaching conversations, educational research and CPD sessionsWork actively with their line manager to set ambitious, measurable and specific personalobjectives that align with departmental and whole‐school priorities.Understand and implement all relevant school policies.Promote equality, diversity and inclusion.Understand the appropriate use and pitfalls of Artificial Intelligence in teaching, learning andadministration following the school’s AI policy.Model and demonstrate exemplary behaviours, with particular reference to the school’scharacter values: resilience, curiosity, kindness, honesty and respect. 3. Teaching and Learning Responsibilities Teachers will: Register students every lesson.Make every minute count and establish clear routines.Develop an inclusive culture where pupils feel secure enough to take risks, think deeply anddevelop resilience.Hold themselves and pupils to account, accepting no excuses and reinforcing high expectationswith fairness and kindness.Communicate respectfully and promptly with students, colleagues and parents across allchannels.Plan lessons and schemes of work that are well‐sequenced, purposeful and aligned withdepartmental and school policies.Ensure curriculum delivery supports pupil progression over time.Know pupils’ needs deeply — including SEND, EAL and more able children.Use Microsoft Teams effectively for resources, assignments and communication.Publish on the class Teams key information such as grading criteria, specifications, revisionguidance, course overviews, high‐quality teaching resources.Adopt and deliver the school’s three academic objectives, currently adaptive teaching, formativeassessment and literacy.Draw on the principles from Making Every Lesson Count ensuring high quality challenge,explanation, modelling, practice, feedback/forward, questioning.Use formative assessment to check understanding continuously.Provide actionable, specific, timely feedback and feedforward in line with school policy.Regularly assess pupils’ work.Keep accurate records of grades, progress and curriculum coverage.Provide and analyse Pupil Progress data and adapt planning accordingly.Meet deadlines for reports, grades and other items on the academic calendar.Write high‐quality, personalised reports using knowledge of the pupils.Provide clear, supportive, concise information at parent consultations.Work under the leadership and direction of the Head of Department.Attend department meetings, planning sessions, CPD and INSET.Assist with delegated roles (e.g. key‐stage responsibility, resource management).Share resources and contribute creatively to departmental development.Liaise closely with Learning Support Assistants to maximise pupil progress.Contribute to departmental audits and reviews.Set work when absent, wherever possible.4. Behaviour, Welfare and pastoral responsibilitiesTeachers will:Implement the Behaviour Policy fairly and consistently.Maintain good order and sound discipline, on and off site.Report near misses and maintain a safe environment.Support the good appearance, conduct and general wellbeing of students.Uphold safeguarding responsibilities, listen to pupils’ concerns and act promptly in line withschool policies.Support attendance procedures and help pupils catch up on missed work.Teachers who are tutors will:Deliver the tutor programme and provide academic and pastoral guidance.Communicate effectively with House staff, tutors, parents and pastoral teams.Support behaviour for learning, attendance and the school’s safeguarding culture.5. Contribution to the Wider Life of the SchoolTeachers will:·Contribute to the extensive co‐curricular programme. Support trips, fieldwork and, where relevant, residentials and out‐of‐term events.Engage in duties, supervision, cover lessons and internal exam invigilation.Participate in the marketing of the school and represent the school positively in thecommunity.6. Additional Duties and General ResponsibilitiesTeachers will:Uphold contractual expectations including directed time, duties, ECAs and cover.Adhere to a working week of 08:30–17:00 on Mondays to Fridays, plus Saturdays or Sundaysas required, with appropriate notice.Teach 39 hours teaching per fortnight (full-time equivalent) which includes time allocatedfor leadership and management roles.Be allocated 5 hours for tutoring per fortnight (full-time equivalent).Carry out 8 slots of ECAs/duties and 2 hours of cover per fortnight (full-time equivalent).Where part‐time, attend key events including parent consultations and whole day INSETevents (NB whole day INSET will be paid if held on a non-contractual day).Carry out additional activities as directed by the Head, including where on the Upper PayScale.7. Flexibility and review This job description will be reviewed annually. The duties listed above are not exhaustive.Teachers are expected to be flexible and undertake additional and/or different responsibilities asnecessary to meet the evolving needs of the school. Hours of work This is a part-time appointment at 0.2-0.25 full-time equivalent and on a one year fixed-termcontract.  The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the wider life of the school and itscommunity; this will be discussed at interview. In addition to a competitive salary, we provide free parking, daily lunch and access to ouroutstanding sports facilities.The ProcessApplications should be submitted by noon on Monday 16th March 2026.Interviews will be carried out during week commencing Monday 23rd March 2026.Candidates invited for interview will have an opportunity to speak with the Head and othermembers of the Senior Leadership Team.  The details of West Buckland School’s own salary scalecan be discussed at interview.Applicants should submit an application form and letter to the Head, including reasons for suitabilityfor the post, via email at recruitment@westbuckland.com Any questions about the post can be directed to the Deputy Head Academic, Matt Brimson atmtb@westbuckland.com.Safeguarding Policy Statement The post holder's responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and youngpersons for whom s/he is responsible, or with whom s/he comes into contact, will be to adhere toand ensure compliance with the school's Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy at all times. If, inthe course of carrying out the duties of the post, the post holder becomes aware of any actual orpotential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the school, s/he must report any concerns to theschool's Designated Safeguarding Lead or to the Head. West Buckland School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children andapplicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, includingreference checks with past employers and the Independent Safeguarding Agency. This post is identified as being within the scope of Regulated Activity and requires a clearedEnhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Agency. As such all previous criminalconvictions deemed to be expired under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act are required to bedeclared, this may not negate the applicant from being appointed. In line with KCSIE guidance the school will conduct an internet search of short-listed candidates onGoogle and Social Media and limited to the information provided on the application form. Anyinformation that is publicly available online and relevant to safeguarding or your suitability to workwith children might be discussed at interview. Applications Our School Equal Opportunities West Buckland School is committed to equality of opportunityfor all staff and applications are encouraged from individuals regardless of age, disability, sex,gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief andmarriage and civil partnerships. Data Protection The school is registered under the Data Protection Act 1998. The information you supply whenrequesting a job pack will be held in electronic format for monitoring and evaluation purposesand in connection with any future contact. We keep applications from unsuccessful candidatesfor a period of six months from the closing date after which they will be destroyed. If you do notwish your application to be retained during this period please indicate this in a covering letterwith your application.