Biology Teacher - Remote Role

Minerva's Virtual Academy is a unique online independent school for pupils in Years 9 to 13, expanding in September 2023 to include Years 7 & 8. Founded in December 2020 we have become the fastest-growing independent school in the UK and have won multiple awards including the National Business Award for Best Business in the UK with under 50 Staff in 2022.

Due to our rapid growth, we currently have a part-time employment opportunity for an experienced and inspiring teacher of Biology to teach our A-level and GCSE. with the potential to teach at KS3 too from September 2023 as our offering is expanding. A training day will need to be attended virtually prior to the start date during the week commencing 13/02/23.

The current hours for this role would be 13.5 hours per week, there is also flexibility to increase this further should we feel you are suitable to be a mentor too.

We are looking for a teacher with these essential skills and traits:  

• Qualified teacher status 
• Experience teaching GCSE and A-level and KS3
• Experience teaching groups of students 
• A strong desire to ensure all pupils succeed, and an understanding of strategies to support those with SEND and mental health difficulties 
• Knowledge and experience of a range of teaching approaches and techniques  
• Strong diagnostic ability and a passion to guide students in their learning  
• A strong understanding of the assessment requirements  
• The ability to engage students from varied backgrounds  
• A belief in the value of homeschooling  
• Enthusiasm for making the most of technology in education 

We would especially like to hear from anyone with these additional highly desirable skills: 

• Experience teaching IGCSE and international A-level 
• Experience creating highly engaging learning content for online delivery

Some of the responsibilities this role will include are: 

• Teaching weekly lessons in sets of c. 20 students
• Leading fortnightly lessons to sets of c. 40 students to facilitate the completion of work
• Creating and uploading online content & assignments
• Marking completed assignments for pupils promptly and providing helpful feedback 
• Answering pupil queries via email 
• Completing half-termly tracking and writing reports periodically, in line with our published annual cycle of formal feedback
• Attending weekly Thursday staff meetings and termly staff training
• Exam preparation and invigilation
• Attending parent evenings

While these are not the only tasks you'll be required to carry out as one of our teachers it gives a good outline of what you can expect day to day.

Suitably experienced applicants also have the opportunity to become an MVA mentor - an ally to individual students on their educational journey. Mentors meet with each mentee individually once per week for 30 minutes and oversee their learning across all subjects, involvement in school life, pastoral well-being, and future plans. Mentors complete a short feedback form for parents after each meeting, liaise with subject teachers, Heads of Year, SENDCO, DSL/DDSL, Deputy Heads and Headteacher about any issues or identified needs and are contactable by pupils via their MVA email address.

Benefits of the teacher role include:  

• Good rates of pay for a part-time opportunity available with good for potential for growth into a more substantial or even full-time position  
• Support in creating incredible online content and schemes of work 
• Online group classes teaching experience 
• Training in the use of our online learning platform 
• Membership of a teaching faculty with active opportunities to develop skills and share good practice 
• Opportunity to develop skills in one-to-one mentoring

Please feel free to explore our website, which includes recent news and pupil/parent testimonials. If you have any questions relating to this opportunity please direct these to recruitment@minervavirtual.com, please do not email CVs directly to this address as they will not be considered an application for the role, you must submit your interest via the online application only.

Please apply as soon as possible as interviews will take place immediately and therefore the role may be filled before the end date.

The School is committed to safeguarding and the welfare of children, due to this all candidates who may come into contact with Minerva’s Virtual Academy pupils or prospective pupils, either online or in person, will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check. This post is also exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.