Head of Biology

Sir William Perkins’s School is a high-performing independent girls’ school for approximately 600 students aged 11 – 18 years.  Our Vision is to build confidence, integrity and excellence in a caring, innovative and happy community, so that each student leaves having been given the best possible chance of achieving their full potential, taking with them sound values, a breadth of skills and knowledge and ready to take on the world!

The Head is both a member of HMC and GSA.

Head of Biology

Permanent, Full-Time

Flexible start date: April 2021 or September 2021 

We are looking for an enthusiastic, well-qualified graduate who is passionate about Biology to join the School as Head of Biology to develop and support this department. This is a permanent, full-time position starting in either April or September 2021 and there is flexibility to secure the right candidate. There are opportunities to link, collaborate and share good teaching practice with other related curriculum subjects such as Science, Mathematics, PE and Food Technology.

The Biology, Chemistry and Physics Departments work closely together, and are taught as three separate subjects all through the School and are supported by three technicians. Each department has well-equipped laboratories plus two Sixth Form science laboratories. Students start IGCSE Chemistry, Physics and Biology in Year 9, heading towards three Edexcel IGCSE science qualifications. Some of our students follow the Double Award IGCSE which is supported by a Science Co-ordinator. In the Sixth Form, students study the OCR Biology specification with Physics following AQA and Chemistry following Edexcel specifications.

The school has an excellent reputation for Science and a large proportion choose to study Science in the Sixth Form and at University, including Oxbridge.

In summer 2019, 82% of Biology A level grades were A*-B grades and 87% of Biology students GCSE grades were 9-6.

We would love to hear from you if you have the ability to:

• Inspire, collaborate and motivate students and staff
• Relate effectively and to earn the confidence of colleagues, students and parents/carers
• Teach effectively to GCSE and A Level
• Lead a team, manage a department and monitor provision using your organisational, time management skills and IT skills and willingness to embrace and embed the School’s Digital Strategy

And also if you are:

• A well-qualified graduate with a good honours degree
• An outstanding experienced classroom teacher
• Experienced at teaching Biology from Year 7 through to A level. Ability to teach Chemistry and Physics to KS4 is an advantage

How to apply

If you would like to join our team, your cover letter and application should be addressed to the Head, Mr C C Muller.   Helen Wood, our HR Manager, would be pleased to talk to you further about this opportunity, so please contact her at the School,  recruitment@swps.org.uk 

Applications will be considered on arrival and we will be conducting first interviews via Zoom Meeting

The School reserves the right to interview and appoint before the closing date.

Vacancy will be live until Monday 25 January 2021 at 1pm

Sir William Perkins’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.   Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).