Head of Chemistry
Required September 2026
Full time (Part-time over 4 or 5 days considered)
Permanent
Up to £70000, based on prior experience
The role
Sutton High School is seeking an engaging and passionate leader to develop and drive forward Chemistry teaching and learning, as Head of Chemistry. Additional responsibility, as Head of the Science Faculty, is also available for a suitably experienced candidate who has proven experience in middle leadership.
Science is taught as a combined subject in Years 7 and 8, with Chemistry as a separate subject from Year 9 upwards. The successful candidate will have significant experience of A Level Chemistry teaching, with an excellent record of pupil results, and will feel ready to lead in a school where pupils are motivated, well-behaved and keen to learn.
You will have the organisational skills and drive to shape the vision for Chemistry, ensuring it remains as one of our most successful and popular subjects. You will have care and love for the subject, so that you can inspire and enthuse our girls in a challenging core subject.
The ability to offer a second science subject to GCSE would be an advantage but is not essential.
This role would suit an experienced teacher or current Head of Department. As a Head of Department, you will have a generous time allowance for leadership, teaching 28 out of 40 periods per week, predominantly at A Level, with a flexible afternoon or morning where working from home is enabled.
At our school, girls want to learn, and care about each other’s success. Relationships with teachers are exceptional, and you can focus on teaching your subject and developing future leaders in an environment where each individual, both staff and students, is known and valued.
Applications will be considered in the order in which they are received, and we reserve the right to close this vacancy early, should a suitable applicant be found. Please state on your application if you feel you have the right experience to be considered for the Head of Science post.
About Sutton High School
Sutton High School is an academically selective independent day school for 850 girls with an age range of 3 to 18 years. We are situated on a green and leafy site in central Sutton, close to excellent public transport links and major roads. Both Senior and Prep Schools are amongst the top schools in the country, with our A Level results placing us 69th in national rankings in 2024.
Sutton High School is characterised by a warm, happy and inclusive community, where girls support each other to aspire and achieve, and individuality is celebrated.
Why Sutton High School?
The school is a member of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) and the Girls’ Schools Association (GSA). Membership of the GDST, the largest group of independent girls’ schools in the UK, gives us unrivalled opportunities for training and sharing of good practice in teaching and learning.
Employee benefits include:
- Competitive salaries and pay progression
- Membership of the GDST flexible pension scheme (up to 18% employer contribution and flexibility to generate a pay top-up of up to 10% of pensionable salary in lieu of pension)
- 35 week school year (including INSET days) across 3 terms with a two-week break in the Autumn
- Access to extensive professional development opportunities
- Training grants for qualifications
- Free life assurance benefit
- A discount of up to 50% on fees for children at GDST schools
- Free lunches for all staff during term time (equivalent to at least £740 per year)
- Interest free loans for training, computer purchase loans and travel season ticket loans
- A Cycle to Work scheme
- Good transport links
- Competitive terms and conditions of employment
For further details and to apply, please click the apply button.
Closing date: Thursday 14th May (9am)
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, should a suitable candidate be found, and we advise early application. Candidates will be considered in the order they are received.
Sutton High School is part of the GDST (Girls’ Day School Trust) - the leading network of independent girls’ schools in the UK. The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the DBS.
The Girls’ Day School Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection checks appropriate to the post, including online searches and checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.