Teacher of Physics

for September 2019

Characteristics of the School

Westminster School is a selective day and boarding school for boys aged 13 to 18 and girls aged 16 -18.
There are approximately 760 pupils in all: 360 (boys only) in the Lower School (Years 9 - 11); and a co-
educational (one-third girls, two-thirds boys) Upper School (Years 12 – 13) also of 400. One-quarter of
the pupils board, and the School is structured and run as a boarding school, with an extended day and
week and a strong House-based system of pastoral welfare, for boarding and day pupils alike.
Westminster is an ancient school whose origins can be dated back to 1179 if not before. Its continuous
existence is certain from the early fourteenth century. Henry VIII personally ensured the School’s
survival by statute and Elizabeth I, who confirmed royal patronage in 1560, is celebrated as the School’s
foundress. Westminster is rare amongst long-established schools in remaining on its original site in the
centre of London. Its proximity to Parliament and Westminster Abbey, and the use of the Abbey for its
chapel, together with the stimulating diversity of the South Bank and West End, account in part for its
special atmosphere and outlook.

The School aims to be one of the foremost centres of academic excellence both in this country and
internationally. Central to its academic ethos is the dialogue between teachers and their pupils, whether
in the classroom or in tutorials, inspiring enjoyment of intellectual enquiry, debate and search for
explanation and the development of skills of rational, independent thought well beyond any standard
examination syllabus. The desired environment is happy, busy and purposeful; the pupils are
intellectually, socially, ethically and politically engaged with plenty of opportunities to develop initiatives
and to articulate and defend their views, in line with the enduring values of the liberal tradition reflected in
the School’s Charter. That tradition is fully committed also to the nurture of each pupil’s spiritual, moral,
emotional and physical development and well-being - with a particular emphasis on drawing out
individual talent wherever it lies - and to the preparation of young people for fulfilled private and public
lives beyond school.

The Post
We are looking for a well-qualified Physicist, who will join a very successful department and inspire
enthusiasm in his or her pupils as well as helping to maintain Westminster’s very high academic
standards. In addition to his or her academic teaching, the successful candidate will be expected to
contribute fully to the pastoral and extra-curricular life of the School. We have experience of helping
graduates new to the profession begin their teaching careers and provide intensive mentoring to help
them to do so.

Physics at Westminster
Physics is flourishing more than ever at Westminster.  There are currently eight specialist teaching
members of the department and two dedicated technicians.  In the Lower School (Years 9-11), some
350 pupils are studying toward the Edexcel International GCSE in Physics, and around 140 pupils study
the subject in the Upper School (Years 12 and 13) where we follow our own course in year 12 before
focussing on Pre-U Physics during year 13. Public examination results are outstanding – last year 94%
achieved an A* in the Lower School and nearly 70% of pupils obtained grades equivalent to A* at
A-level, the majority of the remainder achieving A grades.

1
In addition the department performs very strongly in the British Physics Olympiad, with several gold
medals obtained by pupils each year; indeed we have twice recently had the highest-placed British
competitor at the international competition. The successful applicant will have a strong academic record
in Physics (or a closely related discipline), a high level of commitment to the subject and the ability to
inspire pupils beyond the confines of a syllabus.

The Physics department is situated in the Robert Hooke Science Centre about five minutes’ walk from
Dean’s Yard.  It has six labs, a dedicated project room and a seminar room/library. There are a variety of
extra-curricular opportunities alongside the classroom teaching such as pupil research, an Astronomy
Club and the chance to attend lectures by external speakers.

The person appointed will be expected to teach throughout the School at all ages and ability levels.

The Application
Westminster has its own salary scale, and new members of staff are placed at a point relevant to their
qualifications and experience. Details of salary will be discussed at interview with those candidates who
are short-listed.

To apply, please send a letter of application and the completed application form – together with a
detailed curriculum vitae (including the names, addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of
two academic referees) – to:

The Personnel Bursar

Westminster School
Little Dean’s Yard
London
SW1P 3PB

Tel: 020 7963 1057

Email: recruitment@westminster.org.uk

If you would like to discuss further details of the post informally in the first instance, please contact the
Head of Physics, Dr Helen Prentice: helen.prentice@westminster.org.uk , 020 7963 1144.

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 3 October 2018

Interviews: w/c 8 October 2018

Westminster School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants
must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past
employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.