Working with Us
"Staff benefit from carefully targeted training. A comprehensive professional development programme provides frequent opportunities for staff to share best practice and improve their teaching knowledge to help pupils achieve. Workload is managed effectively, to ensure that time is spent focusing on the well-known school improvement priorities." - Ofsted 2023
Testbourne Community School is in Whitchurch: a beautiful small, rural town in Hampshire surrounded by stunning countryside and famous locations such as the Silk Mill, Watership Down and the Bombay Sapphire distillery. Our school has a ‘small school’ feeling despite there being over 900 students.
At Testbourne we look after our staff from day one. We provide comprehensive induction which is highly valued by participants. Our decision making always considers the impact on staff workload and we are sympathetic to the need for flexibility in the workforce and would consider ourselves family friendly. We champion equality. We formally recognise hard work and excellence.
The students at Testbourne are able, articulate, well-behaved and friendly. They are a pleasure to teach and talk to and can engage in mature conversation and debate. They help shape the direction of the school, namely through our established prefect system and student council. Their conduct when representing the school or during internal events such as whole school Remembrance or our Festival of Sport is impeccable. Over 200 of our students volunteer to help on Open Evening. Many of our students participate in activities such as buddy reading, anti-bullying work, eco work and a large number volunteer to help at school events. Older students look after the new arrivals and are very caring. When participating in external events, we always receive feedback from members of the public and organisers about how impeccably our students behaved.
For more information, please read our "Working With Us" booklet: TCS Working With Us
To apply for a job at Testbourne Community School, visit our Vacancies Page.
“As a long serving member of staff, I can honestly say that Testbourne is a warm and supportive place to be. We all work together to support each other and there is always a smiling face around the corner, even on the most challenging of days – that is what makes Testbourne a fabulous place to work!
The leadership team understand that we all have personal priorities as well as professional ones and will treat you with compassion and kindness when life takes you away from school, whether that be by request or something that is out of your control – this is so important in making you feel valued and respected as a member of staff.”
- LC, English Teacher
“Having only recently joined Testbourne Community School, after working in my last School for almost 10 years, I have been made to feel welcome and supported. I was apprehensive moving schools as an established member of staff, but it has been a successful move, and I am enjoying teaching here. We regularly complete staff CPD as well as being offered opportunities to develop our skills and practice further.”
- CC, PE teacher
“Working at Testbourne community school has been, an incredibly rewarding career that has enabled me to develop professionally. Being compassionately supported by the senior leadership team during life changing events highlights the supportive culture found within the school.”
- SM, Technician
“As a former student of the School, I am proud to say that the values and standards that were embedded within my cohort, which have served us all so well over the past 50 years, are still at the forefront of the School today. In an ever-changing world, these standards and values have provided a sound educational bedrock and allowed myself and my peers to live rich and full lives, achieving goals and dreams we had in childhood and those that change as we grow. There is no better recommendation.”
- JS, Cover Teacher
“I really enjoy working at Testbourne and have worked here for 8 years. During this time I have had a family and have been given opportunities to progress in my career and also take a step back when it has been needed. I have been listened to by Senior Leadership and feel supported and valued.
Life as a teacher is often busy but workload is considered here. Staff are often asked to give feedback and adjustments are made where needed. There is a real sense of everyone is 'in it together' working alongside each other as a team.”
- LK, Head of Geography
“I really enjoy working at Testbourne. The leadership team are highly supportive, kind, and compassionate. Senior leaders consider staff workload and care about staff wellbeing. Testbourne School has a lovely atmosphere for staff and students alike. The school has a calm and purposeful atmosphere and it is a wonderful school to work in.”
- SB, Head of Year
“I joined Testbourne Community School nearly twenty years ago as a main scale newly qualified Teacher of Mathematics. I have always felt supported both in my development as a teacher and as a member of the 'Testbourne Community'. Initially I hadn't intended to stay at one school for such a long period of time, but I immediately appreciated the supportive and friendly nature of all of my teaching colleagues and of all the staff employed at the school Staff have always willingly shared good practice for the benefit of the student's education and the vast majority of students that attend Testbourne have, over this time, been very enthusiastic and willing to learn. The supportive nature of parents and that of the differing Senior Leadership teams under which I have run the Mathematics Department, has resulted in me remaining at this excellent school for such a long period of time. The super working relationship between the members of Testbourne staff make it a place where you want to stay and teach.”
- CR, Head of Maths
Testbourne Community School