Head of Biology

Full Time, permanent position

With effect from September 2026

Salary: Outer London Main / Upper Pay Range

With additional TLR 2/2: £5,796 per annum

The Governors and Headteacher wish to appoint a new Head of Biology to lead our courses at key

stages 3, 4 and 5. We are looking for an exceptional candidate to develop and deliver a knowledge-

rich curriculum that is exciting, innovative and diverse.

Science is held in high regard at The Hollyfield School. The proportion of students taking separate

Sciences is in line with the national average and our students make positive progress in relation to

their target grade in both separate and combined Sciences.  Many go on to study Sciences at A Level

in our thriving sixth form and then on complete Science degrees at university.

The Science department has an excellent extra-curricular offering with trips that include London Zoo,

The Science Museum, the Big Bang Fair and a biannual visit to CERN in Geneva. We run both Science

club for Year 7 and 8, and STEM club for Years 9 and 10.

This role is a fantastic opportunity for an individual who is committed to inspiring and motivating students through their innovative and engaging teaching.

Hollyfield is a beautiful school with a thriving sixth form, in the Surbiton area of Outer London. 

Excellent transport links enable our staff and young people to take full advantage of the wealth of

opportunities that London provides. We are an ambitious school that puts student achievement and

wellbeing at its heart.

The trust provides excellent subject-level support and leadership CPD through the NPQ

programmes.  This role would be an outstanding opportunity for someone who is looking for their

first middle-leadership position or for an experienced middle leader who wants to work within a

supportive faculty that utilises evidence-based teaching practices to drive improvement and

achievement.

Following their 2025 visit, Ofsted inspectors noted: "The school delivers an ambitious and balanced curriculum, underpinned by the highest expectations for all pupils, who demonstrate exceptional attitudes to learning."

The successful candidate will meet the following essential criteria:

• QTS (or QTLS);

• a broad base of subject knowledge;

• the ability to teach across Key Stages 3, 4 and 5 in their specialist subject; 

• a clear vision for a knowledge-rich curriculum

• the ability to teach their non-specialist sciences to Key Stages 3 and 4;

• a clear vision for a knowledge-rich curriculum;

• a clear understanding of successful classroom practice and evidence-based teaching;

• the ability to employ a range of teaching and learning

strategies

• the ability to work effectively as part of a curriculum team;

• a commitment to extra-curricular programmes,

                                      including Drama Club, theatre trips and Ilex Theatre productions

• the ability to maintain good classroom behaviour

• effective interpersonal skills and the desire to work

                                     effectively as part of a team

• ability to demonstrate suitability to work with children

                                      and young people

Selection Process: 

Candidates will be asked to demonstrate that they meet the criteria through the selection process

which will include:

·         Teaching an observed lesson to a full class of pupils;

·         Meeting with a panel of our pupils for informal question and answer session;

·         A written task analysing a Scheme of Work;

·         Interview with a senior leader, Head of Science and a governor.

For further details about The Hollyfield School please visit our website.

Please contact yal-obaidi@hollyfield.kingston.sch.uk if you would like to come and visit or for an

informal chat.

Please note:

 ●       Job applications can only be made through the TES website. Please note we cannot accept CVs

and our standard application form must be completed.  

●       We would encourage early applications as we reserve the right to appoint before the closing

date, should a suitable candidate be found

●       Only shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview.

The Governing and Trust Bodies are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our children and expect all staff to share this commitment. We fully recognise our responsibilities for safeguarding and child protection. Any offer of employment will be subject to receipt of satisfactory pre-employment checks, including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check, overseas criminal record checks where relevant, background check including an online check of the applicant’s social media accounts and receipt of satisfactory references. It is an offence to apply to work with children if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. The schools within the Trust are committed to all aspects of personal development, are inclusive and seek to ensure every student achieves to the best of their ability.