Hampton is one of the country’s leading, most successful and best-resourced independent schools and has been helping boys to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations for over 460 years.

We are a lively, friendly and caring School community, in which innovative teaching is underpinned by strong shared values and complemented by outstanding pastoral care. We aspire to enable our boys not only to make sense of the world but also to want to go out and improve it. Hamptonians are expected to aspire to personal best while supporting those around them with kindness and respect.

The School’s examination results and university entrance record consistently rank among the best achieved anywhere. Nearly all Hampton leavers go on to undergraduate courses at Russell Group or equivalent universities. Around 20 Hamptonians are offered places at Oxford and Cambridge annually and a good number move on to global top-10 universities; we also support pupils who wish to study at US and Canadian universities, some of whom achieve academic and/or sporting scholarships.

Our alumni network is extremely strong and former pupils remain very interested in their School, in no small part due to the exceptionally warm and mutually respectful relationships enjoyed between Hampton staff and their pupils.

Situated on a green field site in a leafy suburb of South West London, we are fortunate to have over 27 acres of playing fields within our spacious grounds and a generous investment programme ensures that pupils and staff benefit from first-class facilities across all areas of School life. These include a state-of-the-art 3G sports ground, a large Sports Hall and The Hammond Theatre, along with an excellent library and specialist facilities for Art, Music, Science, Technology, IT and Languages and our modern Sixth Form Study and Careers Centre. The Millennium Boat House, shared with our neighbouring girls’ school, Lady Eleanor Holles, enjoys a prime location on the nearby River Thames and provides the focal point for our renowned Boat Club.

The School was judged to be excellent (the highest possible recognition) across all categories by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) in May 2023. Inspectors found that Hamptonians’ achievements are exceptional across academic and co-curricular areas of School life and concluded that ‘outstanding analytical and thinking skills’ lead to academic achievements ‘far and above national and worldwide averages’. The ISI team also highlighted Hamptonians’ excellent personal development and concluded that ‘Pupils are open-minded and tolerant and have a clear sense of justice, successfully fulfilling the School’s aims for them to make sense of the world, to want to make a difference for good, and to aspire to personal best while supporting those around them with kindness and respect’. A copy of the full ISI report can found on the School website and a summary booklet of the inspection team’s key findings is linked here.

Please click here to view the Job Description.

Role Summary

We are seeking a highly qualified, enthusiastic and driven Teacher of Physics to join an energetic, forward-thinking and high-achieving department.

An enthusiastic, well-qualified Teacher of Physics is required for September 2024. This is a rare opportunity to join an energetic, forward-thinking and high achieving department. Physics is a core subject up to IGCSE and around 150 Sixth Form pupils study OCR Physics A level.

The successful applicant will be committed to delivering genuinely imaginative, varied and challenging courses at all levels in the school.

The role involves planning appropriate lessons and dealing with marking and reporting. In this academically selective school, the challenges include stretching the most able up to Oxbridge level.

We seek to create a classroom ethos of collaboration and discussion, in response to a variety of high-quality stimuli. The last few years have seen a significant growth in the range of departmental resources, and we are excited by the enrichment that this continuing process provides.

The successful applicant will be expected to teach around 30 (40 minute) lessons per week, which would potentially include a games afternoon and a form tutor period. The role involves planning appropriate lessons and dealing with marking and reporting. In this academically selective school, the challenges include stretching the most able up to Oxbridge level.

Contribution to the wider life of the School is also expected from staff at Hampton.

Hampton is rated 'exceptional' by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) for pupils’ achievements and learning. Inspectors also praised the School for fostering a culture “in which the individual matters and everyone’s contribution is valued.” Equality, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our ethos and the School has a thriving partnerships programme.

The School has its own salary scale and offers generous non-contractual benefits, well above the maintained sector, to attract high-calibre candidates. There is very strong commitment at Hampton to supporting the continuing professional development of colleagues.

We encourage applications as soon as possible as the School reserves the right to commence or complete the interview process at any time prior to the closing date.

The Department

The Physics department currently has 12 teachers and 2 technicians and the post would suit either a newly qualified teacher or a more experienced teacher seeking a new opportunity within an outstanding and highly academic School.

The subject is taught in eight well equipped laboratories situated together along a ground floor corridor in the main school building. All laboratories are equipped with a data projector to link to the teacher’s laptop. The Physics Staff Room and lobby area for book collections are situated centrally within the Department. Technical and logistic assistance is offered by one full time senior technician aided by one full time assistant.

Physics at Hampton is taught by subject specialists as a separate and distinct science from the start. In the First and Second Year Physics is taught in Form groups of one double period per week to which is added a single period in the Third Year. All pupils are entered for Edexcel IGCSE Physics and there is no Double Award. 24% of timetable time is given to Science (Physics, Chemistry and Biology). Results have been outstanding good with 80% achieving 9 or 8 grades in Physics IGCSE in 2023.

On average, 75 pupils in each of the Lower and Upper Sixth years study Physics in the Sixth Form. The subject attracts a generous share of the stronger candidates in the School and in 2023 56% of candidates achieved a A* or A grade . Sets average about 10 in size and do not usually exceed 12. These sets are taught by two teachers who work in parallel.

We also offer a one-year unexamined course in Further Chemistry and Physics (taught jointly with the Chemistry department) for those pupils not wishing to commit to a full two years of Physics in the Sixth Form. On top of this, extra classes are timetabled for Oxbridge preparation. We have an excellent record of success with at least half a dozen pupils gaining places for Physics, Natural Sciences and Engineering at these two universities each year.

Outside the classroom there is a range of Physics-related co-curricular activities which allow pupils to take their interests further and in their own time. Large numbers of pupils are entered each year for the Institute of Physics Challenges and Olympiad.

Syllabuses

GCSE: Edexcel International IGCSE: Physics (4PH1) taken by all pupils

Sixth Form: OCR Physics A (about 75 pupils in each year group)

Main Responsibilities

• To teach the Physics curriculums to an excellent standard and to promote and contribute to the overall provision within the Physics Department e.g. trips, clubs and the School’s extra-curricular programmes
• To oversee and organise the resources for each group of pupils you teach and to advise the Head of Physics on resources required to enable effective teaching
• To continually update knowledge regarding ‘best practice’ in the teaching of Physics through personal reading, research and training
• To promote and maintain the high standards of pupil achievement and contribute to the development of outstanding teaching practice across the department
• To complete all student assessment requirements, including the regular marking of homework and coursework, as required
• To assess, record and track the progress of the students according to the expectations of the Deputy Head (Academic) and the School’s policies
• To use performance data for pupil target setting and progress monitoring
• To deliver teaching of a high standard and to work to promote and maintain standards of achievement across the Department
• To contribute to the pastoral care of pupils as a Form Tutor and the delivery of the PSHE curriculum N.B. a Form Tutor will have the Head of Year as their immediate line manager for pastoral responsibilities
• To maintain standards of discipline in line with Hampton School policies
• To attend parent and pupil meetings, as required
• To use performance data for pupil target setting and progress monitoring
• To work collaboratively as part of a large department
• To attend in whole school and departmental INSET and contribute to the evaluation and progress of the Physics curriculum
• Any other reasonable tasks required by the Headmaster and/or Bursar in association with the above role.

Person Specification

The successful candidate is likely to be able to demonstrate the following skills, qualifications and experience

Essential Criteria:

• A commitment to the paramount importance of safeguarding and wellbeing of pupils
• A good honours degree, ideally in Physics but possibly in Engineering, Natural Sciences or Technology
• An enthusiasm for Physics and the ability to convey this to pupils
• The ability to demonstrate characteristics of outstanding teaching practice
• A knowledge of CLEAPSS guidance and a genuine interest in helping pupils to develop safe Physics skills
• An awareness of the demands of teaching bright students and a commitment to fostering high academic achievement
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team and a willingness to contribute to departmental resources
• A professional, collaborative approach that inspires confidence in pupils, parents and colleagues
• Excellent communication and ICT skills
• Calmness and efficiency, with the ability to work under pressure at times
• Commitment to continuing professional development through attendance at INSET
• A keen eye for detail and a high level of administrative ability
• Willingness to contribute to the rich programme of co-curricular activities, visits and trips
• Assiduous and willing to avoid the ‘9 to 4 approach’
• The ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with all members of the School community and outside agencies
• An understanding of appropriate Health and Safety requirements
• Commitment to the all-round ethos of the School, including its co-curricular activities and pastoral approach.

Desirable Criteria

• The ability to also teach Computer Science would be desirable
• A higher degree or experience of educational or subject-specific research
• A teaching qualification and/or some previous teaching experience
• The ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with all members of the school community and outside agencies
• An ability to offer skills in some part of the extra-curricular programme of the school
• Enjoy rising to the challenge inherent in a school environment.
  

Training

Where necessary, to attend INSET training or undergo other on the job training under the general direction of the Head of Department or training outside the school to increase competence, proficiency and safety awareness

Salary and Benefits

Hampton has its own generous salary scale and benefits package. Accommodation may also be available.

NQTs/ECT’s are provided with an appropriate programme of induction leading to QTS, valid across both sectors.

The Hampton School Trust Governors currently offer the following non-contractual benefits to staff, subject to any terms and conditions and the School’s eligibility requirements: private medical insurance (PHC); death-in-service benefit insurance policy; a Medicash healthcare cash plan; enrolment in an appropriate Pension Scheme, personal accident insurance, School fee remission, cycle to work scheme, lunch, sports facilities and counselling.

Please note that the above list is not exhaustive and non-contractual benefits are provided at the discretion of the Governors.

Equal Opportunities

It is the policy of Hampton School to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals and to prohibit discrimination in employment on any basis protected by applicable law, including but not limited to race, colour, religious creed, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, age, medical condition or disability. Hampton School promotes equal employment opportunities in all aspects of employment through positive employment policies and practices.

If any special requirements are required to attend an interview, please inform the School.

Offers of employment will be made on merit and suitability of qualifications and experience, in pursuit of our policy of equal opportunities.

Safeguarding

The post holder's responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom s/he is responsible, or with whom s/he comes into contact will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School's Safeguarding Policy and Procedures at all times. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School s/he must report any concerns to the School's Safeguarding Designated Persons or to The Headmaster.

The School reserves the right to offer the post at any stage in the appointment process. Further details of the School are available on the website.

Please note all appointments are subject to the Hampton School Trust Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure Policy and Procedure.

The School is legally required to carry out a number of pre-appointment checks which are detailed in the School's Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure Policy and Procedure. The information you are being asked to provide in this form is required so that the School can comply with those legal obligations should your application be successful. Please note that in order to be considered for a position at the School, you must complete this application form. A curriculum vitae will not be accepted in place of a completed application form.

Hampton School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, contractors and volunteers to share this commitment.