Lead Practitioner of Science
Content + Source + Freshness • 11 Dec 2025 • 95% confidence
Offer value
High value due to excellent reputation, professional development offerings, and the scope for leadership advancement.
- Focus on a significant positive impact on educational standards.
- Opportunities for comprehensive professional development.
- Leadership pathway possibly leading to senior roles.
Pros
- Opportunity to join a well-established academy with a strong community identity.
- Comprehensive professional development support.
- Potential to influence academic outputs significantly.
Cons
- Approaching demands of leadership positions may deter some.
- Expectations for high performance may lead to pressure.
- Less focus on private life due to academic commitments.
Who it's for
Mid Career to Leadership • On-site
Good fit
- Dynamic educators ready to inspire students in science.
- Individuals motivated by leadership development.
- Teachers focused on collaborative, evidence-based practices.
Not recommended for
- Candidates preferring less challenging educational environments.
- Individuals who do not seek growth in teaching careers.
- Teachers lacking enthusiasm for science education.
Motivation fit
Key skills
About the job
Harris Academy Orpington opened in September 2016, joining the highly successful Federation of Harris Academies in London. Since converting, results have dramatically improved, with a high positive progress 8 score of 0.73 in 2017, putting the Academy within the top 6% of the Schools nationally. Students also achieved above the national rates in GCSE English and Maths. Harris Academy Orpington combines the traditional values of good manners, strong discipline and respect with excellent teaching. Our highly skilled and committed teachers inspire students to work hard and achieve their absolute best. Lessons are interesting and engaging and students are enthusiastic about learning.
Harris Academy Orpington is seeking to appoint a Lead Practitioner of Science.
Are you an Aspiring Leader and feel that you have what is required for an exciting position as Lead Practitioner of Science and to further your career?
The staff body is an incredible group of people. They are dynamic, thoughtful and innovative practitioners who do everything that they can to help our children succeed and we are looking for someone similar to join us. We recognise that teaching is a demanding career and it is our aim to make sure that staff are as well supported as they can be. We have a zero tolerance approach to anything that interrupts the learning in a classroom.
Why work at Harris Academy Orpington?
- An opportunity to join an ambitious new academy at the heart of the local community, working with experienced and inspirational leaders towards an outstanding future.
- Harris Academy Orpington combines the traditional values of good manners, strong discipline and respect with excellent teaching.
- Generous Harris benefits package and excellent opportunities for personal and professional development.
We are striving for excellence in Ambition, Achievement and Attitude. We are transforming an academy and community as we work towards outstanding performance in all areas.
For more information, or to arrange a visit to the Academy, please contact Barbara Fathers, HR Manager, at Harris Academy Orpington on 01689 819219.
Are you an Aspiring Senior Leader?
At Harris, we have a strong culture of school improvement, and professional development is at the heart of the Federation. We offer the opportunity for you to gain your NPQSL qualification, a dynamic development programme for middle leaders potentially one year away from senior leadership. This programme is led by some of the most talented principals in the country and delivered by high-performing principals and senior leaders with exceptional track-records. Our leaders have a wealth of knowledge and are highly experienced in improving outcomes for students. Find out more www.harristeachingschool.com
Harris academies are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants. In line with our commitments to safeguarding, the Harris Federation uses preferred agencies and is unable to work with any agencies where Terms of Business have not been agreed by both parties prior to an engagement.
