What skills and experience we're looking for We are currently looking to appoint a Lead Practitioner or Aspiring Lead Practitioner (Science) to join our happy and successful school. If not yet accredited, we will train you to gain full accreditation within two years. Our training is second to none. Lead Practitioners are paid on the Lead Practitioner Scale. Harris Academy Ockendon – A School That Transforms Lives! At Harris Academy Ockendon, we are passionate about three things: • Creating a remarkable school for the community we serve – a place where students are inspired, challenged, and supported to grow into well-rounded, ambitious, and successful young people, ready to put a ding in the universe. • Your path to professional excellence – we believe in nurturing talent, growing together, and empowering futures. Just as we are dedicated to our students, we are equally committed to ensuring our staff thrive and have the support and opportunities they need to succeed. • Work-life balance matters – being an exceptional school should not come at the cost of well-being. HAOC is a life-friendly school where teaching and leading with balance is a priority. At HAOC work fits your life. Being great at number 1 and number 2 should not mean we can't do number 3! The successful candidate will: • Enjoy working with teenagers and helping them succeed • Believe in our shared values: work hard, be kind, take responsibility • Hold QTS (or equivalent) and a relevant undergraduate degree • Have successful teaching experience at secondary level • Understand the theory and practice of effective teaching and learning • Understand the importance of high expectations and equality of access for all students • Have knowledge of National Curriculum requirements at KS3 and KS4 in particular • Be able to work as part of a team and to develop and maintain positive relationships with all staff • Be able to create a motivating and safe learning environment for all students • Be able to communicate positively with parents, carers and other external agencies where necessary • Have good written and spoken communication skills • Be able to lead and manage your own work effectively • Have excellent time management skills • Be able to motivate students and raise their aspirations through a range of strategies What the school offers its staff Harris Academy Ockendon – A School That Transforms Lives! At Harris Academy Ockendon, we are passionate about three things: • Creating a remarkable school for the community we serve – a place where students are inspired, challenged, and supported to grow into well-rounded, ambitious, and successful young people, ready to put a ding in the universe. • Your path to professional excellence – we believe in nurturing talent, growing together, and empowering futures. Just as we are dedicated to our students, we are equally committed to ensuring our staff thrive and have the support and opportunities they need to succeed. • Work-life balance matters – being an exceptional school should not come at the cost of well-being. HAOC is a life-friendly school where teaching and leading with balance is a priority. At HAOC work fits your life. Being great at number 1 and number 2 should not mean we can't do number 3!” A School That Inspires Excellence We are an 11-18 academy with a thriving Sixth Form, set in a modern, welcoming building designed to ignite curiosity and ambition. In February 2024, Ofsted rated us ‘Outstanding' in every category, stating: “Pupils benefit hugely from attending this remarkable school. Staff and leaders' sky-high expectations are immediately evident in pupils' scholarly demeanour. The school and trust have created a centre of true excellence. Pupils experience an extraordinary education at Harris Academy Ockendon.” But what truly defines us is our culture. We help our students and staff dream bigger than they ever thought possible and support them in turning those dreams into reality. At HAOC, three values shape everything we do: Work Hard. Be Kind. Take Responsibility. These are not just words; they are the foundation of a school where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to be their best. Why Join Us? • A high-achieving, inspiring 11-18 academy with a Sixth Form full of ambitious young people. • A stunning, modern school building that provides an exceptional learning and working environment. • An unbeatable location, just outside the M25, attracting staff from across Essex and London. Many of our team travel from Kent, Surrey, Southeast, and Central London because they love the school so much! • A supportive, well-balanced working culture, where your professional growth matters, but so does your well-being. • The backing of the Harris Federation, one of the most successful school groups in the country, while maintaining a unique and vibrant school identity. The Harris Federation serves some of the most challenged areas in London and Essex, proving that education can change lives. While we share a collective mission, each Harris school has its own culture, its own identity, and its own way of making a difference. Perhaps Harris Academy Ockendon is the school you've been looking for. If you're ready to be part of something extraordinary, we'd love to hear from you. Teacher Development At Harris, we have curated professional development pathways that will guide you towards achieving your career ambitions. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. With a strong network of passionate educators, expert development initiatives and a multitude of opportunities for career progression, your journey with Harris could be the most rewarding one yet. We offer a wide range of high quality teacher professional development programmes via the Harris Institute of Teaching and Leadership. Benefits In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance (usually £2,000 for Inner London and £1,500 for Outer London), a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Teachers Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan, Employee Assistance Programme, and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website. Further details about the role Your role will include: • Supporting the Head of Department with the design, implementation and delivery of a great curriculum • Training the Science teachers in the implementation of the curriculum • Enjoying teaching great lessons, day in, day out and role-model how you do it • Joining the Lead Practitioner team, training staff across the academy and supporting them to implement the curriculum really well • Taking a whole school responsibility, something that rocks your boat and gives you energy, and also helps us get better • Communicating skilfully with all stakeholders • Contributing to the wider ethos of the academy Commitment to safeguarding The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.