Michael Debenham
STAFFORD
Summary
Accomplished educator with extensive experience in classroom safety protocols, subject specialisation, and parent-teacher collaboration. Demonstrates proficiency in learning style adaptation, digital classroom technology, and exam preparation guidance. Skilled in the use of interactive whiteboards, educational creativity, and special education experience. Adept at literacy and numeracy proficiency, differentiated instruction techniques, lesson planning, and regulatory compliance. Proven track record in performance assessment, student motivation, curriculum development, and staff development. Strong analytical decision-making abilities combined with expertise in behaviour management and child-centred learning. Experienced in documentation and reporting, child protection training, safety precautions, department leadership, safeguarding procedures, CPR training, report-writing, and qualified teacher status. Effective communicator with strengths in parent-teacher communication, staff recruitment, data analysis tools usage, assessment design and analysis. Committed to professional development coaching with a focus on health and safety compliance. Demonstrates resilience under pressure with excellent team leadership skills. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and public speaking.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
21
21
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Lead Teacher of Science
Abbotsholme School
Rocester, Staffordshire
2025.08 - Current
- Reinforced school values amongst students through daily interactions and teachings.
- Ensured adherence to national education standards whilst delivering curriculum content effectively.
- Achieved a positive learning environment by setting clear expectations for behaviour.
- Adapted teaching methods to cater for varied learning styles and abilities.
- Collaborated with colleagues to share best practice strategies within educational settings.
- Demonstrated subject expertise to ensure comprehensive knowledge coverage.
- Led the merging of science departments from two schools after the closure of Chase Grammar School.
- Oversaw a change of examination boards for GCSE and A level students, producing Long Term Plans for each year group in KS4 and KS5.
Head of science
Chase Grammar School
Cannock, Staffordshire
2014.05 - 2025.08
- Assisted in developing a science curriculum by collaborating with fellow educators.
- Reviewed lesson plans to support alignment with national curriculum standards.
- Encouraged critical thinking skills through hands-on experiments and group projects.
- Supported department by sharing insights from role as AQA examiner to improve teaching practices.
- Joined GCSE Practical Science Advisory to contribute to curriculum development initiatives.
- Conducted A-Level practical monitoring work for AQA, enhancing understanding of moderation processes among departmental colleagues.
- Coordinated science trips to Disneyland Paris, CERN, and the Jet in Abingdon, as well as A-level revision seminars at Warwick University.
- Supported sixth form students as form tutor by writing personal and academic references for university applications through UCAS and the American university entrance system.
- Took on responsibilities as head of house for Parton House prior to school closure announcement.
- Ran extra-curricular clubs in astronomy, taskmaster, junior school fun science and mentored the school CanSat competition teams to regional launch events.
- Developed and ran team building exercises for staff CPD days.
Supply Teacher
Hays Education
Birmingham, West Midlands
2013.09 - 2014.05
- Adapted teaching methods for students' individual learning needs.
- Demonstrated professionalism whilst interacting with students, staff and parents alike.
- Responded promptly to queries from parents or guardians about child's progress.
- Achieved effective classroom management with strong disciplinary skills.
Physics and ICT teacher
Priory School, Edgbaston
Birmingham, West Midlands
2012.09 - 2013.08
- Facilitated interactive learning sessions to promote student engagement.
- Modified teaching strategies to support various learning preferences ensuring thorough comprehension.
- Established a secure computer lab environment through enforcement of stringent safety protocols.
- Monitored industry developments to provide up-to-date educational content.
- Developed and implemented an A Level Physics curriculum for newly launched sixth form.
- Delivered ICT lessons to GCSE level, as well as Science to KS3 and Mathematics to Year 8 and Year 9.
- Trained in use of SIMS management system.
- Initiated rugby as an after-school activity for both boys and girls.
Physics Teacher
Cheltenham College
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
2008.09 - 2012.08
- Supported students through one-on-one tutoring, enhancing their confidence.
- Collaborated with colleagues on curriculum development, facilitating comprehensive learning.
- Prepared lesson plans aimed at effective physics instruction.
- Compiled diverse study materials tailored to various learning styles.
- Achieved level 1 rugby coaching qualification, enabling coaching role with college 2nd XV.
- Joined school CCF contingent, attaining rank of lieutenant in royal naval section.
- Organised training schedules for naval cadets, including trips to military bases and Portsmouth dockyards.
Head of Physics
St. Edward's School, Oxford
Oxford, Oxfordshire
2007.09 - 2008.08
- Carried out day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Quickly learned and applied new skills to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Successfully delivered on tasks within tight deadlines.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Boarding House Year 9 tutor to 12 boys.
- Hockey and Cricket coach.
Head of Physics
Wisbech Grammar school
Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
2001.04 - 2007.04
- Executed daily responsibilities with precision and efficiency.
- Acquired and utilised new skills for improved productivity in tasks.
- Completed assignments successfully within set deadlines.
- Exhibited respect, friendliness, and a supportive attitude towards colleagues.
- Oversaw departmental budgets and facilitated training for teachers handling radioactive materials while promoting physics as an elective subject.
- Coordinated educational trips to IOP lectures in Cambridge.
- Achieved ECB Level 1 coaching certification.
- Served as Year 9 form tutor, drafting academic and form reports.
Physics and IT teacher
Rendcomb College
Cirencester, Gloucestershire
1999.09 - 2001.04
- Supported advanced learners through additional projects that sparked curiosity and enthusiasm for subject matter.
- Facilitated workshops aimed at enhancing digital literacy among students.
- Maintained current knowledge by participating in professional development seminars regularly.
- Received positive feedback from students due to engaging and interactive lessons.
- Launched a new student-led publication using specialised publication software.
- Assistant housemaster in boys' boarding house.
- Achieved eha level 1 coaching certificate.
Education
PGCE - Secondary Science with Physics
Liverpool University
Liverpool 1998.09 - 1999.07
Master of Science - Industrial Materials Engineering
Liverpool University
Liverpool 1992.10 - 1993.08
Bachelor of Science - Molecular Biophysics
University of Leeds
Leeds 1988.10 - 1992.06
A-Levels - Biology, Chemistry Physics
Royal Hospital School
Holbrook, Suffolk 1980.09 - 1988.07
O levels -
Royal Hospital School
Holbrook, Suffolk 1980.09 - 1988.07
Skills
- Classroom safety protocols knowledge
- Subject specialisation
- Parent-Teacher collaboration
- Learning style adaptation
- Digital classroom technology
- Difficult conversation handling
- Exam preparation guidance
- Use of interactive whiteboards
- Resilience in teaching
- Educational creativity
- Special education experience
- Literacy and numeracy proficiency
- Techniques for differentiated instruction
- Lesson planning
- Regulatory compliance
- Performance assessment
- Student motivation
- Curriculum Development
- Staff development
- Analytical decision making
- Behaviour management
- Child-centred learning
- Documentation and reporting
- Child protection training
- Safety precautions
- Department leadership
- Safeguarding procedures
- CPR training
- Report-writing
- Qualified Teacher Status
- Parent-teacher communication
- Staff recruitment
- Data analysis tools
- Assessment design and analysis
- Critical evaluation
- Student information systems
- Communication proficiency
- Communication excellence
- Resilience under pressure
- Evaluation techniques
- Professional development coaching
- Health and Safety Compliance
- Team Leadership
- Interpersonal communication
- Public speaking
- Inventory control
- Microsoft Office Suite
Affiliations
- Playing and coaching cricket.
- - I'm a member of school chamber choir and play several instruments with differing lavels of success. Music
- Computer Gaming
- PC building
Accomplishments
Leading wicket taker, South Staffordhire Cricket Leagues 2023-2025.
Certification
RYA level 2 powerboat certificate.
Paediatric First Aid certificate.
Radiation Protection Supervisors certificate.
Fire safety and extinguisher training level 2.
Languages
French
Beginner
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Lead Teacher of Science
Abbotsholme School
2025.08 - Current
Head of science
Chase Grammar School
2014.05 - 2025.08
Supply Teacher
Hays Education
2013.09 - 2014.05
Physics and ICT teacher
Priory School, Edgbaston
2012.09 - 2013.08
Physics Teacher
Cheltenham College
2008.09 - 2012.08
Head of Physics
St. Edward's School, Oxford
2007.09 - 2008.08
Head of Physics
Wisbech Grammar school
2001.04 - 2007.04
Physics and IT teacher
Rendcomb College
1999.09 - 2001.04
PGCE - Secondary Science with Physics
Liverpool University
1998.09 - 1999.07
Master of Science - Industrial Materials Engineering
Liverpool University
1992.10 - 1993.08
Bachelor of Science - Molecular Biophysics
University of Leeds
1988.10 - 1992.06
A-Levels - Biology, Chemistry Physics
Royal Hospital School
1980.09 - 1988.07
O levels -
Royal Hospital School
1980.09 - 1988.07