Part Time, Maternity Cover

February 2025

11 January 2025

This is an exciting opportunity to join a successful and supportive team of specialist teachers who share a love of the Sciences and the central role they play in all our lives.
We are inviting applications to cover a maternity post, starting in February 2025. The post will be of interest to newly qualified, as well as experienced, teachers who wish to develop professionally and personally in a supportive and happy environment. The team works exceptionally well together, ably led and supported by experienced leaders. There are schemes of work in place for all key stages and the department is well-resourced. The ideal candidate will have the ability to teach up to at least KS4.
We warmly welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, as we believe diversity enriches our teaching and inspires our students to thrive in an inclusive learning environment.
Relationships between students and staff are excellent at Waddesdon. The most recent SIAMS inspection (March 2018) celebrated this in the following way:
“Relationships are shaped by the focus on the twin values of dignity and respect. There is a palpable sense of Waddesdon being a safe and secure place to be, of a community built on good humour, mutual support and love of self and neighbour; this is seen in lessons and around the school.”
The school is equally strong in terms of results, with Progress 8 scores consistently “Well Above Average”. Progress 8 for Science is exceptional (1.0).
Waddesdon School is an oversubscribed all ability 11-18 school, set in rural Buckinghamshire. The school is 30 minutes away from Oxford and also within easy commuting distance from Milton Keynes. There are just over 1000 students on roll, including 300 in the Sixth Form. The school has an excellent reputation for CPD and recognises and values the contributions of all staff.
There are realistic expectations regarding balancing family and leisure time and workload. Governors have recently changed the Admissions Policy to include children of staff members.
We encourage you to contact the school for a phone conversation and to discuss your interest in the post. The description of the department, the Of STED and SIAMS reports, and our termly newsletter, Waddesdon Voice, will give you a flavour of the culture and ethos of our school and the department. Testimonials from our staff about the culture and ethos of our school can be found on our website in our ‘Working at Waddesdon’ section.
Depending on circumstances, there may be the chance to extend your contract.

Identified by Of STED and SIAMS as "Outstanding"
"Naturally, pupils and Sixth Formers love coming here and are inspired to achieve." (Of STED, Dec. 2021)


Waddesdon Church of England School is a co-educational, 11-18 secondary school with Academy status. We describe ourselves as an all ability school with soul, and value the socio-emotional development of our young people as much as their academic excellence. There are just over 1,000 students on roll, of whom 300 are in the Sixth Form. In December 2021, the school was judged to be “Outstanding” in all areas. In the 2018 Section 48 Inspection (SIAMS) Waddesdon was also judged to be "Outstanding" in every category, with the quality of relationships within the school community being particularly celebrated.
Waddesdon is a small, attractive village with a population of around 2,000, situated on the main A41 road six miles to the west of Aylesbury. It is perhaps best known for Waddesdon Manor, former home of the Rothschild family, now owned by the National Trust.
The school itself is situated on a beautiful, open site on the edge of the Waddesdon Estate. We have a five form entry and an admission number of 140 each year. Over the past few years the Sixth Form has grown substantially, with many students choosing to join us from a wide range of neighbouring educational establishments. Young people of all faiths and none are all equally welcome; we pride ourselves on being an inclusive community.
The importance of high achievement in all aspects of school life is recognised, as is the need for a caring, compassionate and happy community. The atmosphere in the school is friendly and informal, but also orderly and disciplined. School uniform is worn by the students to a very high standard. The school values and ethos promote exemplary behaviour; spiritual, moral, cultural and social skills; high academic attainment and an atmosphere where dignity and respect are shown to all.
The Governors of Waddesdon are keen to appoint well qualified, dedicated staff to all posts within the school. It is an excellent place to work, full of good will and good humour.
VISION STATEMENT
We believe that the purpose of education is to enable all people to flourish individually and collectively so that they live a life of value. As a community, we strive to achieve these aims, believing genuinely and unequivocally in the capacity and potential of every child.
Our ethos is rooted and grounded in the Christian values of love, compassion, kindness and inclusion which foster dignity and respect for all. Students tell us that they feel safe at Waddesdon School. Self-confidence, self-belief and agency are nurtured through praise, encouragement, acknowledgement of success and celebration of achievement.
Our vibrant and positive culture enables our students to fulfil their potential as self-disciplined, responsible and productive citizens who are proud to claim that they are a part of the Waddesdon tradition, the 'Waddesdon Way'.
Standards and expectations are high and learning is developed through a broad range of engaging and rich educational opportunities. We are a dedicated and motivated community which enables our students to work hard and achieve highly. However, our school cannot simply be measured by our outstanding outcomes alone; it is also measured by the development and character of our young people.

SAFEGUARDING The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Matthew Abbott
Headteacher