Head of Faculty of Science

The Role

Head of Faculty of Science - Required August 2025

Point 3 of St George’s Principal Teacher Spine

Closing Date - 12 Noon, 10th March 2025

Interviews - W/C 17th March 2025

Job Purpose

To be responsible for the leadership and management of the Faculty of Science within the school and to build 

upon the outward facing work of the school in offering opportunities to girls in STEAM subjects. 

• To lead the provision of science education by the Faculty of Science at St George’s School, developing and 

delivering an up-to-date curriculum for the benefit of the whole school community, ensuring that the 

provision of science is delivered effectively to the students in accordance with national guidelines and 

school policy and optimal continuity of provision in learning and teaching, including health and safety 

measures.

• To work with the Senior Leadership team and related departments to build external links and partnerships 

that support the school’s aim to pioneer in the provision of opportunities to girls in STEAM subjects, where 

there is under-representation of women.

• To liaise with the Junior School Science Co-ordinator to ensure all through progressive provision of science 

education.

• To work with the Principal teachers of Biology, Chemistry and Physics to ensure maximum continuity of 

learning and teaching in science.

• To support and promote the celebration of science in and beyond our community.

Accountable To

Deputy Head (Academic)

Key Responsibilities

Leaderships and Management

• To proactively lead and manage all aspects of the Faculty of Science and working with the Junior School 

Science Co-ordinator and Principal teachers of Biology, Chemistry and Physics to ensure an all through and 

progressive science curriculum.

• To keep up to date with new information about specific areas of practice relating to the provision of science 

education.

• Effectively line manage the Principal teachers of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, teachers and technicians 

within the Faculty of Science, including participation in St George’s School Professional Review and 

Development for colleagues within the department.

• Maintain and develop guidelines for the provision of science education and monitor lessons through St 

George’s School Quality Assurance procedures.

• To facilitate, attend and record regular meetings that support all aspects of the Faculty of Science in the 

communication of information, decision-making and task delegation.

• Prepare and implement the annual faculty development plan which sets out clear objectives and links to the 

school’s key priorities, working with the Principal teachers of Biology, Chemistry and Physics in developing 

and implementing appropriate departmental plans.

• Organise the timetable for Remove (P7) integrated science and individual science provision from Lower 4 

(S1) to Upper 6 (S6) in liaison with the Principal teachers of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

• Liaise with Primary 6 staff in relation to the provision of integrated science teaching and provision.

• Liaise with the Junior School Science Co-ordinator in relation to development and provision of an all through 

and progressive science curriculum.

• Provide analysis of examination attainment for students who have taken public examinations, while 

monitoring outcomes in internal examinations.

• Manage the programme of ‘drop in’ sessions offered by the faculty and monitor their effectiveness.

• Ensure there is a varied, well-run and inspiring programme of co-curricular opportunities and trips offered by 

the Faculty throughout the school.

• Provide a safe, purposeful and well-ordered learning environment, which includes suitable displays to 

engage students in their learning.

• To liaise with the Deputy Head (Academic) to ensure the faculty’s contribution to the whole curriculum, its 

breadth, balance and progression.

• To ensure monitoring of Support for Learning Profiles and relevant provision for identified students.

• Provide reports for Council and related committees as required.

To the Students

• To work with the Head of Careers to bring inspiring role models working in Science-related professions into 

school and demonstrate the range of opportunities available to students beyond school.

• Foster a lively and enthusiastic atmosphere within the school, which will stimulate students to a high 

standard of interest across all areas of science; to ensure that students are positively encouraged to develop 

their potential to the full.

• To keep abreast of developments within the curriculum and ensure the provision of science education is 

appropriate.

• To ensure that students’ work and performance are monitored, assessed and progressed in line with national 

and school requirements.

• To encourage students to have confidence in themselves and to take responsibility for their own learning.

• To ensure the safety of all students under supervision and to make students themselves aware of relevant 

health and safety issues.

• To work closely with the Access Arrangement Co-ordinator to ensure appropriate monitoring and 

recording for individual students for the purposes of access arrangement provision for internal and external 

examinations.

• To participate in the faculty’s contribution to the co-curricular programme.

To the School

• To ensure that students’ work and performance are monitored, assessed and progressed in line with national 

and school requirements.

• To encourage students to have confidence in themselves and to take responsibility for their own learning.

• To ensure the safety of all students under supervision and to make students themselves aware of relevant 

health and safety issues.

• To work closely with the Access Arrangement Co-ordinator to ensure appropriate monitoring and 

recording for individual students for the purposes of access arrangement provision for internal and external 

examinations.

• To participate in the faculty’s contribution to the co-curricular programme.

• To complete student reports and to oversee the completion of student reports by members of the faculty, 

according to the guidelines and deadlines for reporting.

• To be responsible for the security and safe use of valuable items held by the faculty.

• To participate in the rota of cover for absent colleagues.

• To report to the facilities management team any damage to departmental areas, equipment, furniture and 

fittings and health and safety issues.

To the Parents

 Value the importance of the home-school partnership, working closely with other members of staff to 

establish and manage good relationships with parents.

Useful Links

https://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/columnists/scotlands-pisa-education-rankings-gender-stereotypes-are-one-reason-why-scotland-fared-so-badly-carol-chandler-thompson-st-georges-school-4436294

https://www.scis.org.uk/blog/st-georges-school-hosted-women-in-computing-encouraging-girls-across-edinburgh-to-consider-a-career-in-tech

https://www.stge.org.uk/stories/marni

https://www.stge.org.uk/stories/mhairead

https://www.stge.org.uk/stories/bivy

https://www.stge.org.uk/latest/st-georges-students-engineer-success-at-formula-1-in-schools-regional-finals

https://www.stge.org.uk/latest/uksd-competition-runners-up-our-journey-at-the-uk-space-design-competition-national-finals

About the Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science is responsible for delivery from P7 (Remove) to Upper Six (S6) and works closely with P6 and the Junior School Science Co-ordinator. Based in the Upper School building, seven laboratories provide specialised space for each of the science subjects, with staff bases and technician preparation rooms. With nine members of staff, the Faculty of Science creates an environment where continuation in the study of science subjects is high through to Advanced Higher, which follows Higher in Lower 6 (S5) and GCSE in the single sciences in Lower 5 (S3) and Upper 5 (S4).

The enjoyment of science as a curriculum subject is enhanced by interdisciplinary learning that takes place within the co-curriculum and leads to high uptake rates for university STEAM subjects , with 99% of students obtaining entry into their first choice course in recent years. Variety in the co-curriculum and the opportunity for students to suggest activities supports ongoing success in Space Design and more recently Formula 1 in Schools, both enhanced by the ability to undertake the CREST Award or undertake an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) with a scientific focus.

Fieldwork in Biology for examination classes, developing and leading a STEAM focused World of Work trip for Lower 4 (S1) students, along with a biennial trip to CERN to visit the large hadron collider, each indicate the passion that is fuelled for study across science at St George’s School.

About the School

As Edinburgh’s only all-through independent school for girls aged 3-18, St George's is a place of possibilities: where everyone is clearly heard; pupils feel empowered to be themselves; and innovation is constantly encouraged.  The courage of our founding mothers, who pioneered women’s education in Victorian Scotland, still echoes defiantly through our corridors. That’s why amplifying the voice of every girl remains part of our DNA today as a loyal school community with a unique spirit of pride.  Over 90% of our girls achieve their first-choice post-school destination: leaving us as robust, empathetic change-makers, ready to take on the world…