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TEACHER OF CHEMISTRY
(Full-time for September 2015)
MILLFIELD
Millfield is the largest co-educational boarding school in the UK with over 1200 pupils, aged 1318. The pupil body is comprised of 75% full boarders and 25% day pupils. Located in Street in
Somerset, the school is set in 150 acres of beautiful campus with outstanding facilities including an
Olympic sized pool, two gymnasiums, a golf course, equestrian centre, concert hall, theatre, art
gallery and music centre. The Prep School, for ages 2-13, is located eight miles away at Glastonbury.
The school has in its 80 year history achieved significant growth. Established in 1935 by Jack ‘Boss’
Meyer with six princes from India, today it is an international, multi-faith school welcoming young
people from all backgrounds and over 70 nationalities.
Millfield may be one of the bigger independent schools, but its ethos remains to discover and
develop the potential of every pupil. The school has been structured to make sure it is friendly,
approachable and focused on the unique needs of each individual.
Millfield provides a broad and balanced education which not only prepares pupils for public
examinations but also gives them the confidence to achieve success throughout their adult
lives. The school offers an exceptionally wide range of courses whilst still allowing pupils'
programmes to be tailored to individual needs.
Updated April 2015
Innovation remains at the heart of the school with a commitment to continually refine its offer of a
remarkable and fully rounded education. Recent examples of this include the launch of Nine at
Millfield, a dynamic Year 9 programme, and the integrated 1:1 use of pupil iPads to support pupil
learning and to equip pupils with essential digital skills.
THE ROLE
We are seeking to appoint a committed and well-qualified graduate to teach in this dynamic and
well-resourced department. The successful applicant will be able to offer Chemistry teaching across
the full 13 – 18 age and ability range, and will demonstrate a genuine interest in the subject and the
way in which it is taught. The ability to teach another Science subject to at least GCSE level would be
an advantage but not essential.
The Chemistry department benefits from a strong sense of teamwork which makes it a happy and
rewarding environment in which to work. Applicants should be interested in sharing good practice,
offering new teaching ideas to the schemes of work at every level of the curriculum and be willing to
contribute to the departmental development programme.
Applications from NQTs or those interested in SCITT are welcome from candidates with a strong
academic background and relevant experiences.
CHEMISTRY AT MILLFIELD
The Chemistry department is staffed by ten full-time teachers and two technicians.
The department is housed in a new building (completed 2009) which consists of nine well-equipped
laboratories, a lecture theatre, a dedicated ICT suite, a sixth form study room and two well stocked
Updated April 2015
preparation rooms. There is a strong emphasis on practical work within the department and the
small set sizes allow pupils to work independently most of the time. The department also has PCs,
visualisers and data projectors in all laboratories facilitating the appropriate use of ICT to promote
teaching and learning. In addition to this, all pupils and teachers have iPads which are used regularly
in lessons and in preparation.
In year 9 we follow a course that is aimed at developing a sound base of skills and knowledge before
embarking on the formal GCSE course. The course is practically based and related directly to the real
world; topics range from looking at the use of water to the chemistry used in forensic science.
In years 10 and 11 pupils work towards either AQA GCSE Science A and Additional Science, AQA
GCSE Chemistry or, for a small number, the Edexcel BTEC first award in Applied Science. The
department strives to deliver these courses through experimental and investigative techniques. We
aim to instil skills that will enable pupils to question the theory of chemistry and be able to apply
these skills to resolve unknown and unfamiliar situations.
In the sixth form pupils follow the AQA AS/A level specification; between 30 and 50 pupils are
entered for AS and A2 Chemistry (AQA specification) in the sixth form and all tutors tend to
contribute to teaching at this level. Pupils take the Externally Marked Practical Assignment in the
lower sixth and upper sixth.
BENEFITS OF SERVICE
Millfield School has high expectations of its staff and therefore looks to reward them with generous
salary scale increments and beneficial conditions of service. All teachers are offered membership of
the Teachers’ Pension Scheme and have longer holidays than the maintained sector. Class sizes are
small (typical class sizes of 8-14) and most teachers have their own classroom. All teachers are
issued with an iPad as part of our mobile learning project (there is a strong focus on the use of
technology to support teaching and learning). A wide range of opportunities for professional
development exist and staff are encouraged to develop their skills and consider career options at all
levels. There is ample opportunity to take on additional responsibilities for which there are
allowances.
Fee concessions are available across the pre-prep, prep and senior school. We also have a Salary
Sacrifice scheme in place for fees which reduces the cost further.
Millfield is set in beautiful grounds and staff are encouraged to make use of the extensive leisure
and sporting facilities (which includes gym, swimming pool, golf course, tennis courts, squash courts
etc.) which are available free of charge for themselves and their immediate family.
All staff enjoy free on-site parking, heavily subsidised lunches (of outstanding quality) and free
refreshments available throughout the day.
Each member of the teaching staff has a voice on professional matters via the Common Room
Chair. The ability to join a strong community through a number of social events (Staff Bar, Staff
sports leagues etc.) is encouraged.
GENERAL INFORMATION
All teachers at Millfield are expected to:
 Play a full part in the extensive games and activities programme.
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 Be a group tutor attached to a boarding or day house.
 Be attached to a boarding house as a liaison tutor, doing a weekly evening duty, for which an
additional allowance is paid.
Millfield School has adopted the school-wide use of mobile technologies in teaching and learning,
and applicants are expected to develop their own skills and teaching to make appropriate use of
such opportunities.
Millfield School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young
people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Offers of appointment are subject to
satisfactory references and CRB clearance.
Statutory induction is provided for NQTs. Staff are normally expected to find their own
accommodation. A reduction of 65% of day fees is available to all full-time teachers for any
son/daughter attending Millfield Schools from Reception to year 13.
Salary is according to the Millfield Scale.
Further information about the post can be obtained from the Head of Chemistry, Mr Craig
Middleton, on 01458 444551 or by e-mail on [email protected]
Updated April 2015