AN INDEPENDENT CO-EDUCATIONAL DAY AND BOARDING SCHOOL FOR PUPILS AGED 7 TO 18 IN THE HEART OF SURREY
Teacher of Physics Information for prospective staff
About Freemen's Our mission is to inspire our people to learn, to lead and to make a difference. We believe that if we can motivate pupils and staff to always give their best, the School will continue to grow and thrive. Community engagement and our impact on the world beyond our walls are at the forefront of everything we do at Freemen’s. The School was founded in Brixton in 1854 to provide an education for the orphaned children of Freemen of the City of London before moving to the present site, Ashtead Park, in 1926. We have a magnificent site with modern buildings alongside the original Main House set in a stunning 57 acres of parkland. This idyllic setting further supports the wellbeing of our students and staff, as being here, in the park, makes coming to work a pleasure. It looks striking in every season and we are lucky to have a vast array of wildlife living in our woods. Today, Freemen’s is an independent day and boarding school for students aged 7-18, with a strong ethos of community and service in accordance with the values on which the School
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was founded. We are proudly co-educational and have been since 1854, which was radical at the time, and we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible with our forward-thinking, progressive approach. You can expect stellar exam results and academic excellence, but that’s not all. The focus within the School is on every individual finding a path which is appropriate for them, be that in the classroom, on a sports pitch or in one of the many co-curricular activities we encourage our young people to throw themselves into. Our mission is built upon four pillars of the Freemen’s education: pastoral support, House activities, academic achievement, and our varied co-curricular programme (including sport) to ensure every student realises their potential to be able to learn, lead and make a difference. Freemen’s is a place where students are keen to learn and eager to engage in the wider aspects of life at our School. Teachers at Freemen's embody our principles for excellent classroom practice, offering innovative and forward-thinking approaches, enabling us to be a beacon of learning and teaching. We take risks in the pursuit of excellence by being brave and radical, willing to challenge the status quo. Through our 1-1 iPad programme, we aim to create discerning users of technology,
About Freemen's so that staff and students can thrive in the modern dynamic world. We do all of this, in an environment where staff feel supported, by investing in life-long learning through research-led enquiry and building learning communities. The emphasis in the Junior School is on Kindness, Honesty and Fun and the Senior School picks up that message with a pastoral programme that emphasizes the importance of a strong, supportive community in which every member, staff and student, feels respected, supported and valued. As a result, we are able to support our young people to successfully navigate the tests of life they face every day. The School is one of four independent schools managed by the City of London Corporation (The City). The City provides financial support in the form of bursaries and scholarships. Other links with the City of London and the Livery Companies are strong, which presents opportunities for staff to attend events at Guildhall and elsewhere in the City, as well as the possibility of gaining the honour of the Freedom of the City of London. Transport links are good; the School is a mile from Ashtead station with regular services to Epsom and London and south to Leatherhead and Guildford. The M25 junction 9 is a seven-minute drive from the School.
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Information about the role We are looking for a talented, enthusiastic and committed Physics Teacher with the ability to deliver great lessons and co-curricular opportunities and who will work collaboratively within an experienced and purposeful department. The post provides an excellent opportunity for someone to join a dynamic team that works incredibly well together to ensure all students are supported in Physics to succeed academically. We have spent years producing, refining and sharing teaching resources, so this post would suit a recent graduate as well as an experienced teacher. The Physics department is staffed by two part-time and four full-time teachers, together with a Senior Technician and the support of a second technician. There are four well equipped Physics laboratories in the Science and Technology Centre, each of which has a networked computer and interactive display screen, to complement the staff and student iPads and Sixth Form BYOD policy. There is a very well stocked prep room and spacious office for all Physics staff. Upper Junior students in Year 7 are taught Science as a combined subject in three hours per week, but in Year 8 are taught Physics as a
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separate subject in mixed ability form groups. They follow a course loosely based on the National Curriculum and Common Entrance syllabuses and, with one hour per week, Key Stage 3 is completed by the time the students leave the Junior School. Edexcel’s International GCSE Physics syllabus is studied over three years in Years 9, 10 and 11 by all students. In Year 9, students have the equivalent of one-and-a-half hours per week of Physics which rises to two hours per week in Years 10 and 11. All teaching is done in science based ability sets. With appropriate support and encouragement, students gain excellent results at IGCSE: in 2023, 45% achieved grade 9, 74% grades 9 or 8 and 85% grades 9 to 7. Enthusiasm and enjoyment in Physics are high, with top students entering the BPhO Intermediate Physics Challenge competition. Many students choose to continue with Physics at A Level and there are usually three sets in each year group. These students have six hours per week split between two teachers. We have followed the Edexcel A Level syllabus for a number of years, which has produced pleasing results. In 2023, we gained excellent results with 21% A*, 68% A* or A, and 87% A* to B grades. Interested students can opt to enter the BPhO
Job description - Teacher of Physics
Click image above to play video Senior Physics Challenge in Year 12 or the British Physics Olympiad competition in Year 13. Many Sixth Formers leave Freemen’s inspired to study Physics, Engineering or related subjects at university. As well as the competitions above, we run extension sessions in Years 12 and 13 and some Sixth Form students enter the BPhO Practical competition. Last year, we launched a new practical club for Year 9, 10 and 11 students which is partly run by Sixth Formers, helping them to gain valuable leadership experience within the department. Those involved have enjoyed the experience and the club has developed in ways it may not have done had it been solely led by staff.
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Professional expectations of staff Safeguarding Staff will be kind, fair and respectful to students and each other, challenge others when they are unkind, unfair or disrespectful and have the highest regard for the students’ safety and their safeguarding duties, whether on or off the school premises. Appearance Smart professional dress, or appropriate co-curricular clothing, at all times. Availability Prompt attendance during the School’s operating hours and a commitment to completing School business is expected. Awareness and use of Freemen’s policies Staff will be able to access and use policies as necessary, and read and act upon them appropriately. Behaviour Staff will establish Freemen’s as a place of learning and will determine clear boundaries of behaviour, based on mutual respect and trust. Staff will have high expectations of students and will manage their behaviour effectively.
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Collective responsibility Staff share collective responsibility for Freemen’s standards, reputation and property, should treat them with respect and care, and insist others do likewise. Communication Staff will expect high standards of communication from students and will, in turn, demonstrate accurate, timely and appropriate communication when dealing with students, parents and colleagues. Ethics and behaviour Staff will uphold public trust in the profession and the reputation of Freemen’s by maintaining high standards of ethics and behaviour, within and outside School. They will be respectful and tolerant of the rights of others, including colleagues, and not undermine fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. They will ensure that their personal beliefs are not expressed in ways which exploit pupils’ vulnerability or might lead them to break the law.
Learn, lead and make a difference Leaders Staff will be leaders in the School, exercising good judgement and modelling the behaviour and habits that are expected of the students. Learners Staff will show and share a passion for their subject or discipline(s). They will seek to develop as professionals and as specialists, will be open to feedback and will seek opportunities to collaborate with colleagues and engage with relevant research. Planning Teaching staff will have a sense of where the lesson fits within the scheme of work and plan well-structured lessons using an appropriate range of pedagogies. Use of feedback Staff will seek to use feedback for themselves and if appropriate, their students and will complete assessments and reports in a timely fashion in the appropriate manner and style.
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How to apply Applicants should send a letter of application and a completed application form to the Headmaster via CLFS-Recruitment@cityoflondon.gov.uk, by 9am on Wednesday 10 January 2024. Interviews will take place on 16 January 2024. The School retains the right to interview and appoint at any time during the application process. Early applications are encouraged. Candidates can expect to be interviewed by members of the Senior Leadership Team, meet members of the department and students, tour the school, teach a lesson, and discuss how they will help Freemen’s achieve its mission and aims. Depending on the post other tasks may also be required. Freemen’s acknowledges receipt of all applications, if you have not received confirmation of the safe receipt of your application within two working days please call the School or email CLFS-Recruitment@cityoflondon.gov.uk to check on its status. The successful candidate must be able to satisfy the City of London’s health requirements and a confidential medical assessment by the City of London’s Medical Officer is required. The City of London Freemen’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment. The successful applicant must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (Enhanced Disclosure).
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"Friendly was the single most uttered word used to describe the school by students, while parents report that their offspring are happy. ‘Kind’ and ‘non-judgemental,’ we also heard, with support on tap." The Good Schools Guide
"This friendly, grounded and well-run school takes the pressure off getting academically bright young things into senior schools and seems to a knack of making challenging work seem fun." The Good Schools Guide 10
Your benefits
Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) Contributory defined benefit
City of London benefits:
• CityBenefits - discounts and cashback. • Wellbeing resources. • Sponsorship to become a Freeman of the City of London.
Sports and Leisure: Family friendly Significantly enhanced maternity, adoption and shared parental leave entitlement
Free lunch and refreshments The option to join Supper Club at a subsidised rate
• Discounted gym membership. • Free use of the fitness suite. • Staff social and sporting opportunities including pilates, yoga and five-a-side football. • Free staff swimming and weekend family swimming for staff.
Learning and Development: Fee remission Up to 50% fee remission subject to the normal entry requirements.
Cycle to work scheme Up to £3,000 salary sacrifice
• Funding to obtain QTS/PGCE. • Tailored CPD for all colleagues that includes a thriving internal CPD programme, as well as a range of external opportunities such as Masters and PhD support, Enquiring Teachers Programme and Chartered College qualifications.
Season Ticket Loan Wellbeing: Free parking on site
Access to on-site facilities
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• Up to 2 days’ paid leave for volunteering. • Cash back on private health care treatment. • Access to on-site Medical Centre. • Staff Wellbeing Committee. • Confidential Employee Assistance for staff and their families. • Emergencies-only approach to out of hours email. 11
Campus Map
Click here to view 360 Tour of campus 01. Visitor parking 02. Reception 03. Philp House 04. Science and Technology 05. Medical Centre 06. Art and Design 07. Stable Block 08. Ferndale Theatre 09. Dining Hall 10. Haywood Centre 11. Junior School (Kemp House) 12. Boarding (Walbrook House)
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13. Music School and Recital Hall 14. Main House 15. Sports Hall 16. Swimming Pool 17. Cricket Pavilion 18. Tennis and Netball Courts 19. Astro Pitch 20. Cricket Nets 21. Cricket Pitch 22. Italian Garden 23. Rugby and Football Pitches 24. Green Room
25. Fire Assembly Point 26. Bus Stop 27. Upper Car Park 28. Lower Car Park 29. Service Gate (KT21 1JB)
"A down-to-earth, friendly school that’s comfortable in its own skin rather than relentlessly trying to show off its most polished side – and is all the better for it. Just the ticket for parents after a high-quality, stress-free route for their academically bright sons and daughters from age 7 right through to 18. Almost unique around here." The Good Schools Guide