Teacher of Biology
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Withington Girls' School
Manchester
- Expired
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- September 2019
- Apply by:
- 24 March 2019
Job overview
Teacher of Biology
Location: South Manchester
Required September 2019
Withington is a leading Independent day school for girls in which some of the best academic results in the country are attained within a lively, happy and caring environment.
A well-qualified and enthusiastic teacher is required in our Biology Department. This appointment provides an outstanding opportunity to teach highly motivated, able students in a stimulating, friendly and supportive environment up to and including Advanced Level.
As in all subjects at Withington, excellent examination results are achieved in a dynamic, stimulating learning environment where highly able pupils are taught by inspiring, talented, forward-thinking staff. The Department believes strongly in enrichment and extension and our lessons go beyond the requirements of the examination specification; in all our teaching, we aim to build confidence, independence, a love of the subject and everything which it embodies.
Teamwork plays an important role within the School: we strive to enhance the quality of teaching and learning by sharing good practice, resources and ideas. A warm and supportive atmosphere that makes our work both fun and rewarding balances the dedication, diligence and high expectations shared by the Department, the pupils and the School.
We are looking for someone to join our team who is passionate about Biology and Science and can convey interest and enthusiasm for the subject throughout the School. The successful candidate will join this dynamic team, teaching Biology to girls from Key Stage 3 to A level. There may also be an opportunity to teach Year 6 pupils who are part of our Junior School. The results in Biology at both GCSE and A level are consistently excellent with the majority of girls gaining top grades. Uptake of Biology in the Sixth Form is always amongst the highest in the School and many of the girls leave to study Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science or Biological Sciences at University.
The Science department has a varied extra-curricular programme including SciSoc lectures, PhilSoc lectures, Junior Scientific Society, Pets Club, Lego League and Robotics Club. Girls are given the opportunity to enter competitions throughout the year such as the Nancy Rothwell Art Prize and British Science Association Poster Competition. A variety of Biology trips are including a Biology Field Trip for Sixth Form students and Chester Zoo Trip for Third Form. Outreach forms an important part of the Science department and staff regularly contribute to the SHINE programme as well as organising other Science related outreach activities throughout the year.
Working at Withington Girls’ School
Withington Girls’ School was founded in 1890 by a small group of eminent and far-sighted Manchester families who wanted the same educational opportunities to be available for their daughters as were already available to their sons. In keeping with the Founders’ wishes, the School has remained relatively small, with approximately 720 pupils.
The School Comprises 155 in the Junior School (Years 3 – 6), 410 in the Senior School (Years 7 – 11) and 155 in the Sixth Form.
The opportunity to join our outstanding school where public examination results consistently place Withington amongst the top schools in the UK, as the highest performing Independent School in the North West.
Pupils come from a wide geographical area around the Manchester locality, and from many different social, cultural and religious backgrounds, creating a diversity in which the School rejoices. The School is non-denominational and girls of all faiths, or none, are equally welcome. Through the Withington Girls’ School Trust, up to 100 means-tested bursaries are offered each year according to need. The Governing Body is strategically focused and highly supportive of all areas of the School.
Our WGS staff have a shared passion and enthusiasm for their subject and thrive in an environment where the relationship between pupils and staff is a particular strength, and where staff can inspire and challenge able pupils. We are a warm and friendly school and we encourage teachers to develop their teaching methodologies. We are committed to providing opportunities to develop to all our staff, who as a result benefit from high quality continuing professional development opportunities. We are also very proud of the work we do alongside Manchester University to develop our future teachers and we ensure that we have a comprehensive Induction programme for NQTs. Many staff have enjoyed career progression with us; likewise colleagues have also gone on to senior roles elsewhere.
We are a school which, by following the concepts of Respect for Self, Respect for Others and Responsibility for Personal Actions, has little need for formal rules.
Our extra-curricular programme is central to the ethos of WGS. It includes Music, Drama, Sport, Mathematics, Linguistics and Science Olympiads, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and the Young Enterprise Scheme, Model United Nations, Debating and Robotics Clubs, to name but a few. We value and encourage the passion and commitment of our team in sharing their interests and passions with pupils.
We have excellent facilities. Our forward-looking development programme has, over the last ten years, provided a new Sixth Form Centre together with six new classrooms (which were opened in May 2009), a refurbished Art Room (opened in 2012) and a number of new facilities opened in September 2015 including a purpose-built Junior School, an expanded and re-equipped suite of Chemistry laboratories, a Design Technology workroom and a central ‘Hub’ which provides exhibition and social space for pupils as well as facilitating access to all the School’s main buildings. Last year, a brand-new Sport & Fitness Centre was completed. Officially opened by Dame Sarah Storey DBE in July 2018, the new facility provides an expanded area for sports and PE; viewing galleries; a large fitness suite; a ‘mind and body’ studio and a welcoming reception and hospitality area.
We are a member of the teachers pension scheme.
We offer a competitive salary and pay progression in line with the national teachers’ pay scale.
What you can offer us
• A capable and highly enthusiastic teacher with excellent subject knowledge and a passion for Biology, and the desire to inspire our pupils
• The ability to teach Biology to highly able pupils at Key Stage 3 to A Level
• The willingness and ability to use a variety of teaching methods to suit pupils’ individual learning needs, selecting appropriate learning resources and embracing the use of new technology
• A commitment to contribute to extra-curricular events and activities in the department. The School values the passion and commitment of its teachers in sharing their interests and enthusiasms with pupils outside of the classroom and seeks to enable staff to play to particular interests and strengths whenever possible. Staff are given autonomy over the activities they organise, and our pupils are given equal freedom to develop passions of their own
• The ability to work well both independently and as a member of our team
Closing date: Sunday 24th March 2019
Interview date: Wednesday 3rd April 2019
Withington Girls’ School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undertake appropriate child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Attached documents
About Withington Girls' School
- Withington Girls' School
- Wellington Road, Fallowfield, Manchester
- Lancashire
- M14 6BL
- United Kingdom
Withington Girls’ School was founded in 1890 by a small group of eminent and far-sighted Manchester families who wanted the same educational opportunities to be available for their daughters as were already available to their sons. In keeping with the Founders’ wishes, the School has remained relatively small, with approximately 725 pupils; 155 in the Junior School (Years 3 – 6), 405 in the Senior School (Years 7 – 11) and 165 in the Sixth Form. The Head of Withington Girls’ School is a member of both the Girls’ Schools Association (GSA) and the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC).
The School’s A Level and GCSE results are outstanding, with Withington ranked consistently in national league tables as the top independent school in the North West of England. The Sunday Times’ prestigious schools guide, Parent Power, named Withington the North West Independent Secondary School in 2019, and North West Independent Secondary School of the Decade in 2020
Girls who gain a place as a result of the entrance examination normally take GCSE/IGCSE examinations in 9/10 subjects, followed by 3 or 4 A Levels. An exciting and varied Enrichment programme offers Sixth Formers core elements such as PSHCE, financial literacy and professional skills plus a range of choices from computer coding and languages, to mosaics, mindfulness and cooking and preparing healthy meals. In addition to the Enrichment Programme, which all Sixth Formers follow, many also complete an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). Studies are directed towards encouraging a love of learning for its own sake, frequently going beyond the confines of the examined curriculum, as well as towards the ultimate goal of University entrance, including Oxford and Cambridge.
Academic excellence is secured alongside an extensive range of extra-curricular opportunities, including Music, Drama, Sport, Mathematics, Linguistics and Science Olympiads, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and the Young Enterprise Scheme, Model United Nations, Debating and Robotics Clubs, to name but a few. Sixth Formers work as voluntary assistants in local primary schools, a centre for severely disabled children, residential homes, hospices and hospitals. All girls, throughout the School, engage in charity fundraising, collectively raising over £30,000 each year. There are special links with Barnardo’s, two schools and a hospital in Kenya and a school in Uganda. Groups of Upper Sixth Formers engage in voluntary projects in The Gambia and Uganda each year and pupils take part annually in World Challenge, or similar, expeditions. Academic departments offer subject-related trips and activities in addition to cultural trips at home and overseas.
Preparation for life after school starts early and involves a programme of careers advice, work experience and UCAS application guidance. Older girls work with younger girls in numerous ways, through the House system, extra-curricular activities, peer support and mentoring.
Pupils come from a wide geographical area around Greater Manchester and Cheshire, and from many different social, cultural and religious backgrounds, creating a diversity in which the School rejoices. The School is non-denominational and girls of all faiths, or none, are equally welcome. Through the Withington Girls’ School Trust, up to 100 means-tested bursaries are offered each year according to need. The Governing Body is strategically focused and highly supportive of all areas of the School.
The School enjoys excellent facilities and has an ongoing programme of major developments. Recent projects have included a purpose-built Junior School building, a central, enclosed ‘Hub’ area at the heart of the school and an expanded and refurbished suite of university-standard Chemistry laboratories, all of which were completed in 2015. During 2018 a significant new sports facilities development was completed, reflecting the school’s ongoing commitment to the promotion of physical activity for girls, one of the school’s founding principles. In 2019 the outdoor netball courts and all-weather pitch were resurfaced to a high specification, bringing Withington’s sports facilities to an excellent standard across all areas. Outdoor fitness equipment – also installed in 2019 - has provided an innovative facility that will benefit fitness, wellbeing and social interaction for senior pupils.
The Development Office has strong links with alumnae as well as former and current parents and staff and has been successful in raising substantial amounts for the Bursary Appeal, for the new Chemistry laboratories and for an Annual Fund which enables enrichment activities for current pupils. Withington Onwards (the past pupils’ association) and the Parent Teacher Association are active in, and committed to, supporting the School socially and financially. There are also close links with the local community including, for example, a range of Saturday morning lessons run by the School for gifted and talented boys and girls from local primary schools under the SHiNE Together programme and an annual event involving a number of primary schools across Greater Manchester known as Manchester Sings.
The excellent quality of teaching and pastoral care is a major factor in the exceptional level of achievement secured by pupils, both within and outside the classroom. Staff are eager to share their passion and enthusiasm for their subjects and give willingly of their time to assist individual pupils outside lesson times; the relationship between pupils and staff is a particular strength of the School. The School has little need for formal rules and runs on ‘the 3 Rs’ of Respect for self, Respect for others, and Responsibility for personal actions and its pupils thrive within the warm, friendly and supportive environment. At home or abroad, Withington girls attract positive comments, and we are just as proud of them as they are of their School.
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