Teacher of Chemistry

Highgate School; Greater London; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution in North London is seeking a teacher of Chemistry to join their dedicated team. The role involves teaching enthusiastic Sixth Form pupils and preparing them for university applications in a supportive and resource-rich environment. The ideal candidate will be a Chemistry graduate who is passionate about teaching, capable of inspiring students to excel academically. The school offers excellent professional development opportunities and a welcoming community.

Benefits

Pension contributions to Teachers’ Pension Scheme

Comprehensive induction and professional development

Free access to sports facilities

Complimentary lunch

Cycle to Work Scheme

Qualifications

• Enthusiastic and inspiring Chemistry graduate or closely related discipline is required.
• Ability to teach Chemistry with confidence to able Sixth Form pupils.
• Experience with preparing students for top university applications.

Responsibilities

• Teach Chemistry as a separate subject to Years 8-11.
• Contribute to preparing students for IGCSE and A-level examinations.
• Support students in achieving high academic standards.

Skills

Teaching Chemistry

Curriculum Planning

Student Engagement

Education

Degree in Chemistry or related field

Tools

Teaching Resources

Job description

Teacher of Chemistry

• Job title: Teacher of Chemistry
• Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
• Salary: £38,663 - £65,199 per annum
• Department: Chemistry Department
• Reporting to: Head of Chemistry
• Location: Highgate, North London
• Start: September 2026
• Closing Date: 26 January 2026 at 8:00 am

An enthusiastic and inspiring Chemistry graduate, or a closely related discipline, is required for September 2026 to teach at this academically selective, coeducational North London day school.

Applicants should be able to teach Chemistry with confidence to the most able Sixth Form pupils, as well as assist in top university applications. The school has significant experience in successfully training teachers who enter the profession without formal teaching qualifications and in providing suitable opportunities for continued professional development for experienced teachers. The school supports colleagues who wish to gain Qualified Teaching Status.

The Department

All pupils study Chemistry as a separate subject in Year 8 to Year 11, before following the Edexcel IGCSE course. A General Science course is taught in Year 7, to which all three science departments contribute and which all members of the Science Faculty can be expected to teach. The majority of pupils will take IGCSEs in all three sciences. In the last year of public examinations (2025), 99% of pupils taking IGCSE Chemistry achieved 7‑9 grades, and 63% achieved the top grade 9. In the Sixth Form, the OCR A specification is taught and Chemistry is a popular choice for students, with six classes per year group. Standards of achievement in the Sixth Form are also high: around 80% of pupils achieve A* or A grades and a number of pupils receive offers from Oxbridge to read Chemistry or Natural Sciences each year (seven in 2025).

The department is located centrally within the school. There are four Chemistry laboratories (all with dedicated experimental areas), a departmental office and separate prep room. Three experienced technicians work in the Chemistry Department. The department invites guest speakers to the school, runs a rigorous and varied Sixth Form extension programme and organises a number of thriving societies that meet on a regular basis, including a Junior Science Club. Our Sixth Form students enter the annual RSC Olympiad and L6 Chemistry Challenge Competitions, where the majority will gain a medal: gold certificates were awarded to a quarter of our Y12 chemists in last year’s C3L6 paperp>

Teachers in the department are passionate about Chemistry and are deeply committed to teaching the whole of the subject to their pupils. Looking beyond the limitations of examination specifications, they prioritise teaching concepts from first principles wherever possible, not just in the Sixth form but in all years, and seek out opportunities to broaden or deepen their own understanding through wider reading and intra‑department discussions. They challenge their pupils to be academically independent and to show resilience in their pursuit of a solution to a problem.

I get to work with brilliantly curious pupils, in an inspiring and inclusive department. The ethos to support pupils to solve problems for themselves makes for satisfying, dynamic lessons.

Benefits

• Support: A welcoming, comfortable and exceptionally well‑resourced environment with significant assistance from a range of support staff.
• Pension: The School pays the employer’s contribution to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.
• Professional development: Comprehensive induction. Focus on continued learning and development for all employees.
• Holidays: Terms are shorter than in the maintained sector.
• Location: Highgate Village, adjacent to Hampstead Heath, with quaint shops and easy connections across London.
• Facilities: Free access, at stipulated times, to our sports facilities, including a fitness suite and new swimming pool. Staff can borrow from 1,700 books held in the Sir Martin Gilbert Library.
• Lunch: Free tea and coffee. A complimentary lunch including hot meals, sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit and dessert.
• Sustainable travel: Access to the Cycle to Work Scheme and a Season Ticket Loan scheme for public transport.
• Flexible working: Flexibility for parents, enhanced maternity pay and paid dependant leave.

Application procedure

• Closing Date: 26th January 2026
• Timing of interviews: week commencing 2 February 2026

Contact: James Newton, Deputy Head (Academic) and Ella Cameron, Head of Chemistry, are happy to answer any questions about this post.

Early Application: Applications will be considered ‘as and when’ received and we may close the vacancy if we appoint before the closing date.

Inclusion

We know that more diverse teams are stronger teams, and that the more inclusive we are, the more our staff and pupils will feel a sense of belonging and will thrive. To enable us to make reasonable adjustments, please let us know of any disabilities (including neuro‑divergence) when you submit your application.

Safeguarding

As this role will have regular unsupervised contact with children you must, if appointed, comply with Highgate’s Safeguarding Policy and Staff Code of Conduct. If, in the course of carrying out the duties of the post, the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety and welfare of our pupils, these concerns must be reported immediately in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy. If, while in the post, Highgate becomes aware of any safeguarding concerns to staff, pupils or the community, these will need to be followed up in line with the safeguarding policy and code of conduct which is underpinned by KCSE and other legislation. These concerns may need to be shared with other agencies. A copy of these policies will accompany all offers of employment. Training will also be provided to all staff to support Safeguarding practice.

Please read before you apply

Highgate is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service and overseas police check if necessary. Candidates from overseas must provide information about their past conduct, for example, by providing documents issued by overseas teaching authorities.

Please note that this role is ‘exempt’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore, you are required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that are not ‘protected’ (i.filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide details of all unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview.

In accordance with the latest guidance from KCSIE, we shall be conducting online searches on any candidates who are shortlisted.