A-Level Chemistry Specialist | Sixth Form College | Bolton

The Opportunity

We are seeking an academic specialist to join a high-achieving Sixth Form College in Bolton. Unlike a standard secondary school, our environment is dedicated exclusively to young adults preparing for university and high-level apprenticeships. This is a "pure" teaching role—there are no Key Stage 3 classes or general science rotations. You will be teaching Chemistry to students who have actively chosen the subject as one of their core A-Level options.

The College Environment

• Specialist Focus: You will work in a department where Chemistry is one of the most popular and successful subjects on campus.

• University-Style Labs: Our laboratories are modelled after undergraduate facilities, equipped with high-grade glassware, digital titrators, and spectrophotometers.

• Academic Independence: Students are treated as young professionals; the focus is on independent research, rigorous note-taking, and advanced practical work.

• Collaborative Faculty: You will be part of a team of subject specialists (Biologists, Physicists, and Mathematicians) who collaborate on cross-curricular STEM projects and university entrance prep (UCAS).

Core Responsibilities

1. A-Level Delivery: Delivering the full A-Level specification (e.g., OCR A or AQA), with a focus on Physical, Inorganic, and Organic Chemistry.

2. Practical Endorsement: Leading the "PAGs" (Practical Assessment Groups), ensuring students develop the high-level laboratory skills required for the Practical Endorsement certificate.

3. Analytical Coaching: Helping students bridge the significant gap between GCSE and A-Level, particularly in mastering multi-step calculations and complex reaction mechanisms.

4. Higher Education Support: Providing specialist mentoring for students applying for competitive courses such as Medicine, Dentistry, Chemical Engineering, and Veterinary Science.

5. Enrichment: Running "Olympiad" coaching sessions and visiting local universities for collaborative lab days and guest lectures.

The Successful Candidate We are looking for a "Subject Champion" who lives and breathes Chemistry. Requirements include:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or QTLS with a strong degree in Chemistry or a closely related field.

• Sixth Form Expertise: A deep understanding of the A-Level curriculum and the specific marking criteria used by exam boards.

• Technical Precision: The ability to demonstrate complex practical procedures (like reflux or recrystallization) with total confidence and safety.

• Relatability: The ability to build professional, mature relationships with 16–19-year-olds, acting as both a teacher and an academic mentor.

Why Join Us?

• Subject Purity: A timetable 100% focused on your specialism—no "General Science" or lower-school behaviour management.

• Professional Culture: Work in a high-trust environment with motivated students who are passionate about their futures.

• Career Progression: Opportunities to become a Lead Internal Verifier, a Lead Practitioner, or a UCAS Coordinator.

• Location: Benefit from Bolton’s excellent connectivity to the North West’s "Science Corridor," including easy commutes from Manchester and Salford.

How to Apply

Please submit your current CV to begin the application process for this A-Level Chemistry Specialist position.