This is an exciting opportunity for candidates with strategic insight and a passion for education to join our charity in a period of renewed mission and purpose.
About the Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT)
PSTT is a registered charity with a clear vision – we want to see excellent teaching of science in every primary classroom in the UK. We believe it is vital that children are engaged and inspired by science from an early age. We want to draw on their natural curiosity to help them explore, understand and ask questions about the world around them. Scientific skills and knowledge are essential for every child, whether or not they become a scientist, engineer or medic.
We’ve built a Primary Science Teacher College of over 200 outstanding Fellows, each helping to shape and influence science teaching across the UK. We produce great resources that improve how science is taught and planned, including through the award-winning Explorify website. We provide professional learning and development that supports thousands of schools each year, through our national CPD programme and our network of Regional Mentors across England.
Through our new strategy, we are refining PSTT’s approach (building our work around a clear definition of what excellence in primary science means), targeting our efforts (giving our most intensive support to schools and teachers that need it most) and focusing on the impact of our work.
More information on PSTT’s strategy, definition of excellence in primary science, and theory of change can be found here.
Job summary
The Director of National Programme has overall responsibility for PSTT’s UK-wide programme of support for primary science teachers. They lead the development of the Primary Science Teacher College, ensuring that our Fellows develop professionally and can play their part in delivering our strategy more widely. They also run the annual Primary Science Teacher Awards, with a new focus on increasing the diversity of nominees.
The Director builds on sector partnerships to increase shared understanding of what works in primary science, and – working with the Director of Regional Programme – to incorporate this into PSTT’s core national offer. The Director leads on PSTT’s national thematic activities and our offer for trainee and early career teachers, and commissions new projects and resources as required. They are also responsible for managing our team of Area Mentors and other National Programme staff.
Key facts about this role
Salary Starting salary £56,996 (PSTT band F, scale point 40)
Pension and benefits Employer pension scheme (5% contribution); enhanced sick pay and maternity/paternity/adoption pay, detailed in our pay and reward scheme
Location Office, home based or hybrid. Expected to spend at least 2 days per month at the office in central Bristol (3-4 days at times)
Hours 35 hours per week (full time), usually worked between Monday-Friday
There is scope for flexible working. The post-holder may occasionally be required to work during evenings and weekends.
Contractual basis Permanent
Travel The job requires some travel within the UK and occasional overnight stays. Expenses will be reimbursed.
Line manager Chief Executive Officer
Annual leave 28 days (of which 3 days must be taken during the Christmas closure period) plus public holidays
Start date To be negotiated
A full list of job responsibilities can be found in the Application Pack.
How to apply
- If you would like more information before deciding whether to apply, please contact our CEO, Martin Pollard ([email protected]), to arrange an informal discussion.
- Complete the official application form and return this to [email protected] by the deadline of 5.00pm, Monday 23 September. Please note that it is particularly important to complete the Supporting Statement as fully as possible. This section helps us to understand how you meet the key job criteria, and our shortlisting process will rely significantly on this statement. Please don’t send a CV or other information, as these will not be considered when shortlisting.
- Please complete our Equal Opportunities Monitoring questionnaire. Completing the survey is optional but provides PSTT with valuable information about the diversity of applicants. It is anonymous and we will not consider it as part of the application process. Please do not send us a copy of the completed survey.
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