Teacher of Biology and KS3 Science (Maternity Cover)
Birkenhead School
Wirral
- Expired
- Salary:
- Birkenhead School operates its own salary scale, competitive depending on experience and expertise.
- Job type:
- Full Time, Maternity Cover
- Start date:
- September 2022
- Apply by:
- 23 May 2022
Job overview
Birkenhead School, founded in 1860, is an HMC independent day school providing education for boys and girls drawn from the whole of the Wirral, Liverpool and as far afield as Chester and North Wales.
Situated in the leafy suburb of Oxton, the School enjoys excellent facilities. The main campus has a ‘village green’ atmosphere, with classrooms and laboratories looking out over the cricket square. Recent capital developments have included a new landscaped playground area and an outdoor classroom. There are ongoing and substantial investments in facilities. In addition to the main campus, the School owns 17 acres of playing fields on two sites nearby – the primary one being McAllester Field.
The School comprises Nursery and Pre-Prep (Early Years), Prep and Seniors and integrates their objectives and activities within a ‘One School’ concept. Birkenhead School prides itself on being a family school and this has been greatly strengthened by the opening of the Nursery in 2006. It is attractive to parents to have all their children in one school and it is a great advantage for the school to be able to establish strong, long-lasting relationships with families.
A key feature of the School is its strength of community which runs through the student, staff and parental bodies. The School is embedded within the wider Wirral community, has strong links with local business and charities, and enjoys an extensive bursary programme. The School aims to inspire students both inside and outside the classroom, knowing each individual and providing them with outstanding opportunities to find their niche.
The Biology department consists of three teachers who teach Biology as a separate subject from Year 9 upwards and contribute to the Key Stage 3 Science teaching in Years 7 and 8. At GCSE, most pupils are entered for the Higher Tier AQA GCSE Separate Sciences with just under half entered for the AQA Combined Science Trilogy. We also follow the AQA specification at A Level.
The department is well equipped, with three laboratories and two prep rooms, supported by a full-time Biology technician.
The current Head of Biology, Phil Armstrong, seeks to maintain a unified approach across the department with practical work and stimulating learning techniques at the core. He is highly receptive to input from like-minded teachers. Each year a large proportion of the cohort go on to study science-based courses at top universities; many securing Medicine / Dentistry / Veterinary places.
Responsibilities
• Teaching, marking, assessment and grading within the department, always setting the
highest standards of personal organisation and administration. All teachers are
expected to:
Teaching
• Contribute to a department academic extension programme designed to stretch,
challenge and inspire students.
• Meet the needs of different groups of learners in particular SEND students and those
identified as potential high attainers
• Keep abreast of developments in the subject, maintaining contacts with other schools,
exam boards and professional associations.
• Ensure students are properly prepared and entered for exams.
• Contribute to the organisation of co-curricular activities both in relation to the
department and wider School community
• Provide a stimulating learning environment
• Liaise with students about Biology and other related subjects at Universities.
• Liaise with University departments and specialists within their field.
• Liaise with Prep regarding organising and overseeing enrichment activities.
Assessment
• Give timely, positive and helpful feedback to students
• Complete reports to a high standard and within specified deadlines
• Regularly assess and mark students’ work in line with School and department
guidelines
Tutoring
• Actively monitor students’ progress and provide support where necessary
• Encourage students’ self-development and personal expression through PSHEE and
tutor sessions
The ideal candidate will
• Have a secure knowledge and understanding of own subject/curriculum area including
current developments in teaching and learning
• Have QTS/PGCE qualification
• Have prior teaching experience at Key Stages 3, 4, and 5.
• Be an excellent classroom practitioner with evidence of good teaching skills, leading to
consistently high standards of achievement
• Be enthusiastic, confident and diligent.
• Develop and maintain good relationships with students and colleagues.
• Have a sound understanding and awareness of Safeguarding procedures.
• Develop creative and innovative teaching techniques
• Be IT literate to support teaching and learning.
• Inspire staff and students through action.
The full list of roles and responsibilities can be found on the School website at www.birkenheadschool.co.uk
Hours
This is a temporary, full-time post to cover maternity leave. The post holder will be required to contribute to co-curricular opportunities and work as necessary to carry out the duties of the role.
Other Benefits
We will value and support your contribution to School life and in return provide you with excellent rewards;
• Working with fantastic young students
• Working as part of a committed team
• Membership of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme
• Membership of an Employee Assistance Wellbeing Programme
• Term time is 34 weeks
• Free use of the fully equipped on-site gym
• Support for your continuous professional development
• Lunch provided during term time
A letter of application indicating skills and experience, together with a completed application form, including the names and addresses of at least two referees, should be sent for the attention of the Headmaster.
To meet our safeguarding obligations, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check is undertaken as part of the recruitment process for all new staff. As Birkenhead School is an educational provider, it is permitted to ask whether an applicant has any convictions, cautions, reprimands or final warnings which would not be filtered in line with current guidance, as defined by The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020). It is a criminal offence for an individual who is barred from working with children to apply for a role which is classed as regulated activity.
The closing date for applications is 9.00am on Monday 23rd May 2022.
About Birkenhead School
Birkenhead School - one of the UK's top independent schools and Wirral's only selective, co-educational school.
As an HMC Independent School that welcomes children from Nursery to Sixth Form, we are aware of the considerable privilege in shaping the educational journey of children through their formative school years.
From Pre-Prep to Sixth Form, our focus is to know the individual, to develop their core values and to provide a breadth of academic and other opportunities so that we can nurture resilient, ambitious and responsible young men and women. Rightly or wrongly, a school will often be judged by its academic results. At Birkenhead School, we take a rigorous approach to academic study, achieving the highest grades, yet firmly believing that the path pupils take and the challenges they overcome are of equal importance. We strive to create a learning environment where teachers have the freedom to teach and where pupils learn because they are inspired and curious - not merely to achieve good grades. We aim to engender a mind-set to learn thoughout life.
With society placing ever increasing pressure on today's pupils, we educate in the broadest sense. The best learners and contributers to School life, and thus the leaders of tomorrow, are those pupils who are happiest. We continue to place great importance on traditional values such as honesty, integrity and a strong moral compass that leads to a healthy, cohesive and aspirational community.
We take great pride in each pupil feeling known and valued within our community. At Birkenhead School, we add further value at every step of this educational journey, driven by an extra-curricular programme whose scope and quality allows each individual to find their niche whether it lies in academia, sport, music, drama, service or leadership - to name but a few. For staff to be able to further our pupils' passions, while working within such an inspirational and beautiful school site, is one of the great privileges of teaching at Birkenhead School, and of an independent education.
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