Teacher of Chemistry

Candidate Pack
Teacher of Chemistry

Mr Oliver Knight - Head

I  joined  Pangbourne  in  September  2024  and  have  had  the  pleasure  of  working
with an incredibly talented and dedicated staff and Board of Governors to drive
forward my vision for the school.

Pangbourne is my fourth headship and all three of my previous headships were at
inner-London  state  schools  which  I  transformed  by  driving  up  the  educational
standards.  I    am  passionate  about  bringing  the  best  from  the  state  sector  and
combining  it  with  the  independent  school  model  to  ensure  the  best  possible
education and opportunities for all pupils at Pangbourne.

My two passions in life are education and the outdoors. Pangbourne enables me to
combine these into the uniqueness of a Pangbournian education through access to
our world-class adventure facilities set within our 230 acre site. This enables us to
create  an  academic  ethos  underpinned  by  an  adventurous  spirit;  where  risk,  failure
and uncertainty are daily experiences.

It is no longer enough for pupils to just achieve great academic outcomes. As staff,
we work together to ensure that pupils are prepared for not just success in school
but  also  success  in  life.  Our  aim  is  to  educate  pupils  to  be  a  force  for  good  in  an
imperfect world.

I am in the process of implementing our Campus 2030 plans and would be delighted
if you applied to join me on this exciting journey for the future vision of the College .

With best wishes

Mr Oliver Knight, Head

About Pangbourne

With  over  30  years  of  co-educational  experience,  Pangbourne  College  is  an
independent day and boarding school for girls and boys aged 11-18 years, set in
over 230 acres of Berkshire’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with the best
four mile stretch of rowing river in the country.

There  are  four  pillars  that  develop  and  sustain  a  Pangbourne  education:
Academic  Rigour,  Exploration,  Community  and  Leadership.  These  four
components  ensure  all  our  students  develop  the  attitudes,  skills  and  behaviours
that underpin success at school and in life. We empower each individual to fulfil
their  potential  and  develop  the  confidence,  values  and  skills  to  make  a  positive
difference to the world.

Pangbourne was established in 1917 as ‘The Nautical College, Pangbourne’ with
a  vision  to  train  boys  to  become  Merchant  Navy  Officers.  In  1969  the  College
adopted  the  name  it  has  today  and  shifted  its  focus  to  an  academic  education,
becoming  fully  co-educational  in  1996.  Pangbourne  College  is  not  a  military
school and only two or three of our leavers each year go into the armed forces,
but we do proudly pay tribute to our naval roots through preserving a number of
traditions.

The eight Flag Values of Kindness, Resilience, Selflessness, Moral Courage,
Integrity,  Initiative,  Industry  and  Respect  underpin  everything  we  do  as  a
nurturing, pupil-centred community.

Pangbourne on a page

Pupils on roll

400

6th Form Results 2025

GCSE Results 2025

● 45% A* - A

● +0.7 Value Added

● 38% 9 - 7

● 84% 9 - 5

● 92% First Choice University

● +0.72 Value Added

Performance Sports

Competitive Sports

● Girls’ hockey

● Boys’ rugby

● Boys’ and girls’ football

● Boys’ and girls’ cricket

● Boys’ and girls’ rowing

● Boys’ and girls’ tennis

● Equestrian

Employee benefits

About the role

TEACHER OF CHEMISTRY

Start Date:

Contract Type:

Hours:

SEPTEMBER 2026 or earlier, if available.

Permanent

Full time (Part time will also be considered)

Core Hours:

08.15 – 17.45 Monday to Friday

Saturday:  There are no academic lessons on a
Saturday but a full sporting and boarding
programme runs. Involvement in this programme
is optional and would be reflected in reduced
expectations Monday-Friday.

Salary:

Competitive. Our salary package will recognise
your experience, qualifications and commitment.

Reporting To:

Head of Chemistry

Key working relationships:

Members of the Science  Dept
Senior Management
Teaching Staff
Pupils, Parents and Guardians

Department overview

SCIENCE - CHEMISTRY

The Team

There  are  currently  nine  Science  teachers  at  Pangbourne,  each  of  whom  has  a  primary
speciality; three of us are Chemists. The A-Level course is taught by specialist Chemist, and
to a great extent so are the two GCSE courses we follow. Science in Years 7 and 8 has been
taught in the past by all three departments.

The Courses

In the Sixth Form we follow the Edexcel Chemistry Specification (9CH0), with teaching split
between two teachers in each year. We are allocated one double lesson per week for formal
practical sessions in both Year 12 and 13.

At  GCSE  students  have  two  options  –  either  AQA  GCSE  Chemistry  (8462),  or  AQA
Combined  Science  Trilogy  (8464).  About  20%  of  students  choose  Separate  Sciences  each
year. However, it is notable that a high proportion of our A level students progress to the
Sixth  form  from  the  Combined  Science  route.  Science  in  Year  7  and  8  follows  the  Oxford
KS3 Science Activate course.

The Department

Chemistry  is  taught  in  three  spacious  laboratories  slightly  detached  from  the  Biology  and
Physics departments. The laboratories are laid out with dedicated “wet and dry” areas, and
are well-equipped. We have a dedicated Chemistry technician for practical work, and who
often happily provides and extra pair of eyes during practical sessions.

Outcomes

Results across the Sciences have been impressive in recent years. At A-Level, Chemistry has
had 100% of students gaining a grade A* to B in the past three years.

General teaching

Duties and responsibilities of all teachers:

●

Adopting the Pangbourne Teacher Habits to maintain an evidence-led
model of instruction.
Following the appropriate schemes of work.

Regular setting of class work and preps.
Regular marking and assessment of students’ work

●
● Maintaining discipline within their classroom and the department.
●
●
● Maintaining records of lessons taught and students’ marks.
● Meeting assessment and reporting deadlines.
●
●
●
● Maintaining classroom equipment.
● Maintaining good quality classroom displays and contributing to

Attending parents’ meetings.
Running academic support clinics.
Setting appropriate work in the case of absence.

●
●

Supporting and helping other members of the department.
Attending INSET or courses for professional development and
generally keeping up to date with the subject and current
developments/teaching techniques, feeding back to the department
where relevant.
Setting and marking internal examinations as agreed.
Involvement in department tours and trips.
Act as a Tutor to a small group (about 10) of pupils.

●
●
●
● Willingness to engage in and develop extra-curricular activities
●

Complying  with  health  and  safety
Department, reporting any faults immediately.

issues  within  the  Science

departmental display areas.

Please note:
The above is only an outline of the tasks and responsibilities of the role.  The post holder will carry out any other duties as may be reasonably required by his/her
line manager. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an on-going basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and
College.
This job description and accompanying documentation do not form part of the employment contract.

Personal specification - essential elements

Qualifications

Relevant degree or equivalent

Personal Qualities

Passion and enthusiasm for teaching Chemistry

Able to teach Chemistry to at least GCSE level and General Science for Year 7 and Year 8

Ability to relate to teenagers

Skills and Special Aptitudes

Excellent organisational, communication  and interpersonal skills

Organisational skills within the classroom and on visits

Ability to link topics across the syllabus

A desire and capacity to understand the strengths and weaknesses of individual pupils along
with the ability to use differentiation in teaching

Capability of maintaining high standards and being excellent practitioners in the classroom

Ability to encourage in students the enjoyment of the subject, and a responsibility for their
own learning

Ability to develop good examination technique in pupils, in particular, drawing out the
skills of analysis and evaluation

A sense of humour and integrity

Special requirements

Ability to ensure that all students and parents have regular feedback on progress

Promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children

Ability to create a stimulating learning environment and facilitate and enthusiasm for
learning, in order to make it possible for all students to achieve their potential

Compliance with Pangbourne College’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy

Current driving licence

Personal specification - desirable elements

Qualifications

Personal Qualities

Able/willing to teach Chemistry at A Level

Enthusiasm to collaborate with colleagues

Able/willing to teach other Sciences to GCSE level.

Ambition to progress professionally within the subject

PGCE or QTS (underway or complete)

Capacity to take calculated risks in teaching

Skills and Special Aptitudes

Other shared interests with pupils through house or extra-curricular activities

Detailed knowledge of examination requirements

Self-awareness

Knowledge to link subject content with career opportunities

Ability to use innovative teaching methods

How to apply

● Download the application form from the website: pangbourne.com/vacanices

● Applications should be sent to recruitment@pangbourne.com

● Deadline for applications is: 09.00am Monday 23  February 2026

● Please apply as soon as possible as applications will be considered upon

receipt; we reserve the right to interview/appoint before the closing date.

● We welcome applications from candidates in either state or independent

sectors.

● We would be happy to have an informal conversation about the College, the
Department and the role. Please contact recruitment@pangbourne.com.

Other information

Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy
In line with our recruitment policy and for the protection of our pupils, you will
be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure and employment reference checks.
Pangbourne  College  is  committed  to  safeguarding  and  promoting  the  welfare
of  children  and  young  people  and  expects  staff  and  volunteers  to  share  this
commitment. You must be eligible to work in the UK.
It is the post holder’s responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare
of children.  You will comply with the Pangbourne College Child Protection and
Safeguarding  Policy,  and  the  requirement  to  report  to  the  Designated
Safeguarding Lead any concerns relating to the safety or welfare of children.

Information Security, Confidentiality and Data Protection
During  the  course  of  employment  the  post  holder  may  have  access  to,  see  or
hear  information  of  a  confidential  nature  and  he/she  will  be  required  not  to
disclose such information. All personal identification information must be held
in the strictest confidence and should be disclosed only to authorised people in
accordance  with  the  General  Data  Protection  Regulation  and  the  College’s
Privacy  Notice,  unless  explicit  written  consent  has  been  given  by  the  person
identified.

Other information

Equal Opportunities
We  are  proactively  committed  to  creating  a  diverse  staff  body  which
reflects  the  community  that  we  teach.   At  Pangbourne  College  we  value
diversity  and  inclusion;  we  want  to  attract  the  best  people  for  the  role
available.   This  is  regardless  of  age,  ethnicity,  sexual  orientation,  gender,
disability, socioeconomic status or religious beliefs.
The post holder must comply with and promote Equal Opportunities and
avoid any behaviour which discriminates against others on the grounds of
sex,  disability,  marital  status,  sexual  orientation,  age,  race,  colour,
nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion, political opinion, trade union
membership.

Health
Safety
and
Under the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974, it is the responsibility of
individual  employees  at  every  level  to  take  care  of  their  own  health  and
safety and that of others who may be affected by their own acts at work.
This  includes  co-operating  with  the  College  and  colleagues  in  complying
with Health and Safety obligations to maintain a safe environment.

Other information

by

and

Terms and Conditions of Service
The  post  holder  will  be  required  to  comply  with  all  policies  and  procedures
College.
issued
The post holder will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service
Certificate.
The  post  holder  will  be  required  to  participate  in  the  College’s  appraisal
if  applicable,  as  an  appraiser.
procedures  as  an  appraise  and
The post holder will be required to attend statutory and mandatory training.

behalf

the

on

of

Pangbourne College
Pangbourne
Reading
Berkshire RG8 8LA

+44 (0)118 984 2101
pangbourne.com