Job Description & Person Specification
Job Title: Teacher of Science (GCSE)
Location: Infinite Schools (Standish School)
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
Reporting to: Head of School / Headteacher
About Infinite Schools
Infinite Schools is a specialist Independent and Alternative Provision provider dedicated to supporting young people with a variety of needs. We are currently in an exciting phase of growth, expanding our high-quality provision across the North West.
We operate on the principle that every student deserves a bespoke, supportive, and ambitious education pathway. Our cohorts often consist of young people who have experienced significant barriers to learning in mainstream settings. We are not just maintaining attendance; we are rebuilding it.
Our values are operational, not just slogans: Care. Connection. Trust. Courage. Ambition. Excellence.
About the Role
We are seeking an inspirational and resilient GCSE Science Teacher to join our team. You will be responsible for delivering high-quality, engaging, and accessible Science education to small classes of students (typically 4-8 pupils) with complex SEMH needs.
You will lead the Science curriculum, ensuring our students have the opportunity to achieve meaningful qualifications, including GCSE Combined Science and Entry Level Certificates, preparing them for ambitious Post-16 pathways.
This is not a mainstream teaching role. You will need to be highly adaptable, trauma-informed, and capable of prioritizing emotional regulation alongside academic rigor. You will look past the behavior to see the child, using your subject passion to re-engage learners who may have been out of education for significant periods.
Key Responsibilities
1. Teaching, Learning & Curriculum Development
- Plan, deliver, and assess outstanding Science lessons that are appropriately differentiated to meet the diverse and complex needs of our cohort.
- Lead the delivery of GCSE Science (and lower-level alternatives such as Entry Level or BTEC where appropriate), ensuring rigorous academic standards.
- Design a highly engaging, practical, and "hands-on" curriculum that reignites a love for learning in students who have previously disengaged from education.
- Use baseline data (e.g., reading ages, GL assessments) to inform "Quality First Teaching" and adapt lesson structures accordingly.
- Track and monitor pupil progress rigorously, utilizing data to close attainment gaps (particularly for disadvantaged or highly vulnerable pupils).
2. SEND, SEMH & Inclusion
- Deliver education in line with students' Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), ensuring all "Section F" provisions are actively met in your classroom.
- Work collaboratively with the SENDCo and clinical/therapeutic teams to implement Pupil Passports and personalized behavioral strategies.
- Maintain a calm, relational, and predictable classroom environment, utilizing de-escalation techniques and trauma-informed practice.
- Understand that all behavior is communication, focusing on regulation, repair, and reintegration rather than punitive measures.
3. Safeguarding & Culture
- Actively promote the safeguarding and welfare of all children, adhering strictly to the school’s Safeguarding and Child Protection policies.
- Record behavioral and safeguarding incidents accurately and promptly on the school’s MIS (e.g., CPOMS/Arbor).
- Act as a positive role model, embedding the school’s core values into daily interactions with students, staff, and parents.
- Build trusting relationships with parents/carers and external professionals (social workers, LAs) to support the holistic development of the child.
Person Specification (About You)
Qualifications:
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or QTLS (Essential).
- A relevant degree in a Science-related discipline (Essential).
- Additional qualifications in SEND, Autism, or Trauma-Informed Practice (Desirable).
Experience:
- Proven track record of successfully teaching Science to GCSE level (Essential).
- Experience working with children and young people with SEMH, ASD, ADHD, or complex behavioral needs (Highly Desirable).
- Experience in an Alternative Provision (AP), PRU, or Specialist Independent School (Desirable, though exceptional mainstream teachers looking to transition will be strongly considered).
Skills & Expertise:
- Adaptive Teaching: Ability to break down complex scientific concepts into highly accessible, chunked learning steps.
- Behaviour Management: A calm, relational, and authoritative presence. The ability to hold boundaries without escalating conflicts.
- Resilience: The emotional intelligence to bounce back from challenging days and not take dysregulated behavior personally.
- Collaboration: Willingness to work as part of a tight-knit multidisciplinary team, sharing best practices and supporting colleagues.
Passion & Values:
- A genuine, unwavering belief that every child can succeed, regardless of their starting point or past educational trauma.
- A commitment to "Infinite Schools" mission of turnaround and recovery.
Why Join Infinite Schools?
- Real Impact: You will be teaching the children who need it most, achieving tangible turnaround results that change lives.
- Small Class Sizes: Maximum of 8 students per class, heavily supported by Specialist Teaching Assistants.
- Leadership Support: Clear, visible, and supportive leadership that does not micromanage but empowers you to teach.
- Clinical Supervision: Access to our on-site clinical team for reflective practice and staff wellbeing support.
- Career Growth: As a rapidly expanding group opening new sites (including Warrington), there are significant opportunities for fast-tracked career progression into middle and senior leadership.
Safeguarding & Safer Recruitment Statement
Infinite Schools is strictly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
- All appointments are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and registration with the Update Service.
- We strictly adhere to Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidelines.
- All gaps in employment history must be clearly explained, and comprehensive references will be requested prior to interview for all shortlisted candidates. Prohibitions checks will be carried out where applicable.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £31,650.00-£45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Enhanced paternity leave
- Free parking
Work Location: In person
