Job Description

Candidate Information

Teacher of Science


and Mathematics


One Year Fixed Term Contract





September 2025


Sutton Valence


one school, many journeys

Introduction

Sutton Valence is an independent, HMC co-educational day and boarding


school situated in the heart of Kent for pupils aged 2-18.





At the Senior School, whilst not fiercely selective on entry, its value added


statistics are impressive. For those subjects Sutton Valence offers at A Level,


the School aims to be in the top 10% nationally for adding value, managing to


bring out the academic potential in every pupil. Equally impressive is the


breadth of education on offer, which at GCSE is tailored to each pupil's


strengths, recognising that academic achievement is only one measure of


success.





From Year 7 (First Form), all our pupils work on laptops using Microsoft


OneNote which acts as repository for class notes, prep and online textbooks.


Pupils also make notes on their devices and store them in OneNote so teachers


can mark online using digital ink or recording. It is expected that most lessons


will use the device at some point although many will use a combination of


paper work and device.





Individuality, confidence without arrogance and the strength of character to


meet the complexities of modern living with equanimity are the hallmarks of a


Sutton Valence pupil.





The Senior School's roll is currently 570 of which 110 are boarders. Class sizes


are small and the overall pupil-staff ratio of 9:1 enables Sutton Valence pupils


to benefit from the close guidance and individual attention of teachers. The


academic staff are all highly-qualified subject specialists with a commitment to


continuing professional development.





Contained within the 100-acre site, there are dedicated games pitches, an all-

weather playing surface, a sports centre, which contains a fitness suite, an all-

weather athletics track and field sports arena and an indoor six-lane swimming


pool.





Sutton Valence Preparatory School occupies its own site in the neighbouring


village of Chart Sutton and currently has 295 pupils between the ages of 2 and


11.

The Post

Sutton Valence school are looking for a dedicated, dynamic, and inspirational


teacher to teach Maths and Science from September 2025 on a one year fixed


term contract. The candidate must promote the highest standards of teaching and


learning in the classroom, be innovative and invested in contributing to the


development of the Departments, all whilst ensuring an outstanding level of pupil


pastoral care.


The candidate should be able to teach an engaging curriculum in Mathematics to


the Juniors (Years 7 and 8), Physics as part of the KS3 and KS4 double award, and


general Science to Juniors. Adaptability and effective differentiation is critical to


cater for a broad ability range.


Opportunities exist to participate in the coaching of major sports, The Combined


Cadet Force (CCF) the Community Service programme, the Duke of Edinburgh's


award scheme and in our many clubs and activities.


All teachers at the School are expected to be heavily involved in the co-curricular


and sport programme. Candidates will be expected to take an active role in the


pastoral care of our pupils, which is based on a house system, with vertical tutor


groups.

The Science Department

The Science Department consists of 9 teaching staff: three Biology, three Physics,


and three Chemistry teachers. In each department there is one Head of Subject as


well as a Head of Science. Together we make up a highly committed and


hard-working team, who not only strive to achieve the very best for our pupils,


both academically and pastorally, but also work hard to support one another. Each


member of teaching staff has their own laboratory and within each of the three


Departments, there is a dedicated laboratory technician to support the excellent


standard of teaching. A full range of apparatus and equipment required for


teaching up to A Level is also available. As a fully digital school, all teachers are


provided with their own laptop and all teaching resources and provisions are


provided online. Therefore, candidates should have a good level of IT skills, and be


able to use Microsoft Teams and OneNote effectively. Each lab is also equipped


with an interactive whiteboard.





At Sutton Valence School, we believe that students learn Science most effectively


through the aid of stimulating and engaging practical activities, ranging from organ


dissections to practising ecology-based sampling techniques out in the field.


Scientific practical skills are carefully nurtured from the First Form (Year 7), where


we have implemented a primarily skills-based curriculum to develop a solid


foundation for A Level science, enabling the use of more sophisticated laboratory


techniques such as colorimetry, serial dilutions, and chromatography. Our


curriculum is designed to inspire and equip independent thinking and


problem-solving; students should not only acquire skills in collecting data, but also


in effectively analysing and evaluating it, investigating facts, and using deduction.


We believe that these skills not only help to shape young scientists, but also enable


all students to become confident and independent learners.





Further information is available here.

The Maths Department

The Mathematics Department at Sutton Valence School is one in which we


promote not only successful outcomes in results but, as importantly, an enjoyment


of the subject. We are always looking for new, creative approaches to teaching


that inspire our pupils to want to take the subject further and understand that


confident and engaged learners are the key to this. Within the department


collaboration is actively encouraged with members of the team looking to support


not only our pupils but also each other.


Within the Department, we actively promote the School community ethos and


offer a variety of both support and extension activities within the school day to


enable all pupils to be mathematically catered for. Pupils participate in a range of


national competitions including the UKMT challenges, the National Cipher


Challenge and we even host our own Junior competition that is fiercely contested


by our local schools. Those wishing to apply to university to study Mathematics are


offered extension sessions and guidance in order to prepare them for their next


steps.


The department use the Edexcel examination board for both A Level and GCSE


where, for the latter, we take the International GCSE. In addition to the IGCSE,


pupils in the top set are also offered the opportunity to take the AQA Level 2


Certificate in Further Mathematics. The uptake at A Level is strong and pupils are


also given the chance to study Further Mathematics to A Level. Mathematics is


also on our 'Activities' enrichment slot. This not only allows those who want to


study Maths in greater depth some additional time, but it also acts as a support for


those pupils taking A levels in other subjects that have a high degree of


Mathematical content.


Further information on both departments is available here.

Application Process

Applications will only be accepted from candidates completing the application


form in full. CVs will not be accepted in substitution for completed application


forms.





Covering letters of application should state particular skills and attributes you can


bring to Sutton Valence School and a brief details of how you fit the position,


including specific details of skills, experience and achievements.





Do not meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and


people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single


qualification. At SVS we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive


workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience does not


align perfectly with every qualification or experience in the information provided,


we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or


other roles.





Further information about Sutton Valence School can be found on our website. To


apply please complete the application and monitoring form and email it with a


covering letter to hradmin@svs.org.uk or post it for the attention of the Assistant


Bursar, Sutton Valence School, North Street, Sutton Valence, Kent ME17 3HL.

Closing date:

Friday 23rd May 2025





Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to


the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring


Service (DBS), and a declaration of medical fitness. It is an offence to apply for this


role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to


children.





The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children


and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. A


copy of the School's Child Protection policy may be found on the School's


website, which all applicants are expected to read prior to interview.





Sutton Valence School is an equal opportunities employer.



Please note: we reserve the right to appoint prior to the closing date.

Vision, Mission and Ethos

Vision

Through our community values, broad curriculum, and extensive enrichment


opportunities, we believe that all young people at Sutton Valence School will be


inspired and supported to fulfil and exceed their potential. We want our


students to be open-minded individuals who possess a love of learning, are


confident not arrogant, and have a strong set of values reflecting our principles


as a Christian Foundation.

Our Mission is to have a School where one will find:

Care

A caring, safe, supportive and kind community for the education of children


aged 2 to 18, in a day and boarding environment

Challenge

A challenging, relevant and broad curriculum encouraging curiosity, delivered in


ways that allow all to achieve

Choice

An outstanding range of creative, cultural, social and physical activities so that


all can develop skills such as self-discipline, commitment, leadership and


teamwork

Culture

A culture of curiosity and celebration of diversity which promotes excellence,


independence and high standards, whilst providing support to all who need it

Community

A grounding in moral and spiritual understanding which promotes respect for


others, along with self-respect, enabling all to contribute positively to their


School community and the world beyond it

Ethos

A community where each cares for all and individuality is cherished.

Free Parking

Both the Senior and Preparatory School sites have free, ample parking available for


staff. The Senior site has five EV charging points, and both sites have allocated


accessible bays.


Benefits to Working at SVS

Pension

Academic staff are offered membership to the TPS or to the APTIS DC Scheme. The


teacher's gross salary will be dependent on the pension scheme and contribution


level chosen.


Support Staff are offered the opportunity to join a defined contribution (DC)


scheme TPT, and currently offer two levels of contribution. With Option One, the


employee contributes 5% of their salary, and the School contributes 3%. With


Option Two, the employee contributes 7% and the School contributes 14%.

Fee Remission

All staff with a contract for at least one full term and have children who attend


either the Senior or Preparatory School will be eligible to receive a discount in


respect of School fees (excluding the Nursery). The current rate of discount is 50%


for full-time staff, and for part-time staff the relevant percentage will be calculated


on a pro rata basis.

School Meals

Lunches during term time are provided at no cost by our excellent caterers.


Complimentary tea, coffee and other refreshments are available throughout the day.

Electric Vehicle Scheme

All staff are offered the opportunity to purchase an Electric Vehicle (EV) as part of


an HMRC approved Salary Sacrifice scheme; Octopus Electric Vehicle. Basically, this


is much like a cycle-to-work, but for electric vehicles. You give up some of your


gross monthly pay for a new EV, and can save up to 40% on the monthly cost


thanks to saving on National Insurance and Income Tax.

Benenden Healthcare Membership

All staff are welcome to join the Benenden Healthcare Scheme. The cost of joining


Benenden is currently 15.50 per month; the School pays up to 80% of contributions,


based upon length of service. Further information is available from the Bursary.

Fitness Facilities

All staff may use the Senior School's fitness facilities at designated times. These


facilities include an indoor, heated, six-lane swimming pool, a fully equipped air

conditioned Strength and Conditioning Suite, and a Cardiovascular Suite, as
well as a large sports hall available for a multitude of sports. The Prep School


has both an outdoor swimming pool and play equipment available for staff to


use.

Community and Environment

We are very proud of the positive and supportive community we have and staff


often comment on this being one of the best aspects of working at SVS. This,


coupled with a beautiful physical environment both at School and in the immediate


vicinity, make it a highly desirable place to work. Classrooms are well resourced. All


teaching staff have their own devices, and our ICT facilities are regularly upgraded


to support the latest teaching initiatives. Excellent discipline, support and pastoral


systems help ensure successful teaching and learning.

Press Reader

The School has a subscription to Press Reader which allows anyone on the SVS


networks access to over 7,000 news publications from across the world in different


languages.

Eye Tests

If you need to use a computer for a significant amount of time a day for your job,


you may be eligible for a free eye test.

Staff Social Events

The School holds social events such as an end of year BBQ, staff drinks and canapes


with the Headmaster at the start of the year, regular staff drinks at SVPS and the


Support Staff Christmas Lunch.

Staff Development

The School has a strong commitment to professional development with a


substantial budget for whole School training and individual courses, support


towards degrees, teaching qualifications and apprenticeships.

Sutton Valence School

North Street


Sutton Valence


Kent ME17 3HL


www.svs.org.uk


01622 845200


A member of The United Westminster and Grey Coat Foundation.


Registered Charity No 1181012