Job Description

Role: Assistant Departmental Head of Science

Are you looking for a vibrant position as an Assistant Departmental Head of Science within an evolving educational setting in Reading? Are you a committed, inspired, and ambitious educator keen to generate a major effect, acquire crucial expertise, and partner with progressive administrators?

Position: Assistant Departmental Head of Science

Contract: Permanent

Commencement: September

Location: Reading

Compensation: MPS1 – UPS3 + TLR2b

Schedule: Full-time or fractional

Our institution is presently undergoing substantial transitions and is seeking prospective directors, including mid-level and executive leadership roles. If you desire swift vocational advancement and appreciation for your diligent efforts, this is the environment for you.

Role Overview:

Instructing Science classes up to GCSE level.
Aiding the management of the Science faculty.
Adding to tactical growth and institutional advancement.
Guaranteeing productive coordination and administrative flow.
Constructing an immersive, caring, and fruitful educational space.

School Information:

The institution is committed to a path of evolution, with a pledge from educators, pupils, and guardians to improve the caliber and journey of schooling for the local area. We maintain that every youth deserves to reach and flourish within an all-encompassing program, maturing academically, individually, and comprehensively through enthusiastic and flexible instruction. Our objective is to motivate every pupil to study and bolster their achievement through a coalition between the institution, home life, and the student.

Qualifications and Experience:

Degree in a Science discipline.
QTS or QTLS certification.
History of instructing Science at Key Stage 3 and 4.

Compensation:

The pay scale for this Assistant Departmental Head of Science role follows the MPS/UPS structure with an added TLR2b allowance.

Job Data Table

Category	Details
Company Name	Wayman Learning Trust
Location	Ruscombe, Reading, UK
Locality	Berkshire
Country	United Kingdom
City	Reading
Region	South East
Job Type	Full-time and Part-time
Salaries	MPS1 – UPS3 + TLR2b (£32,916 – £56,154 + £5,870)
Experience Level	Middle Management / Experienced Teacher
Travel	None (School-based)
Language	English
Benefits	TLR allowance, rapid career progression, CPD

Skills & Competency Table

Skill	Competency Level
Science Pedagogy (GCSE)	Expert
Departmental Leadership	Advanced
Strategic Planning	Proficient
Classroom Management	Expert
Stakeholder Engagement	Advanced
Data Analysis (Progress)	Proficient

Salaries Pay Calculator Table

Annual Salary	Bonus	Total Compensation	Notes
£32,916 – £51,048	TLR2b (£5,870)	£38,786 – £56,918	Range covers MPS1 to UPS3 plus the specific TLR2b allowance.

Job Summary

This leadership role in Reading involves teaching Science up to GCSE while supporting departmental management. Acting as Second in Charge, you will drive strategic school improvement in a transformative environment. Perfect for ambitious teachers, it offers rapid progression to Senior Leadership and requires QTS/QTLS and a proven Science teaching background.

FAQs

What is the “Second in Charge” (2iC) role?

It is a middle-management position where you support the Head of Department in leading staff and developing the curriculum.

What does the TLR2b allowance mean?

A Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) payment is an extra sum paid for significant additional management duties.

Is this role available for part-time teachers?

Yes, the school explicitly welcomes applications for both full-time and part-time working patterns.

When does the contract start?

The position is scheduled to begin at the start of the new academic year in September.

Do I need a specific Science degree?

Yes, a degree in a Science-related subject (Biology, Chemistry, or Physics) is a mandatory requirement.

Expert Analysis

In 2026, Reading’s education sector is highly competitive. A TLR2b (approx. £5,870) is a robust incentive for middle management. Schools in “transformation” phases, like this one, often provide the fastest track to Senior Leadership (SLT) because they prioritize hungry, adaptive leaders who can implement new strategic visions quickly.

Location & Logistics Guide

Ruscombe is a village on the eastern outskirts of Reading, near Twyford. It is exceptionally well-connected via the Elizabeth Line (Twyford Station), making it an easy commute from central Reading, Maidenhead, or even London. This rural-edge location offers a quieter teaching environment compared to the bustling town center.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading,_Berkshire

Career Path

Successful 2iC Science leads typically move into Head of Science roles within 2–3 years. From there, the path leads to Assistant Headteacher (focused on Curriculum or Teaching & Learning). The “transformative” nature of this school specifically prepares candidates for trust-wide school improvement roles or Executive Leadership across the Wayman Learning Trust.

To apply for this job please visit www.adzuna.co.uk.