Teacher of Biology

Dollar Academy Biology Department is seeking to appoint a highly motivated and enthusiastic teacher on a temporary basis to start in August 2023. This appointment is expected to last for one term, until Christmas, however this may be extended. We invite applications from interested parties who may be available to work on either a full or part time basis.

This post offers the opportunity to join a large and successful department at this prestigious 5 – 18 HMC school of over 1300 pupils. Nestling at the foot of the Ochil Hills, Dollar is only 20 minutes’ drive from Stirling, 30 minutes from Perth and under an hour from Edinburgh and Glasgow. The school is a 25 minute drive from the world-renowned Gleneagles resort and an hour from the famous beaches and golf courses of St Andrews.

The successful applicant will have a passion for Biology and be expected to stimulate similar interest in, and enjoyment of, the subject in their pupils. The staff within this department have an array of specialties and consequently there is enthusiasm for all aspects of the subject; the successful applicant will contribute to this enthusiasm and desire to promote Biology within the school.

The Biology Department consists of four full-size labs, a Sixth Form lab and a smaller Biotechnology lab. All teachers are issued with a school laptop which allows full interaction with the IT facilities in all rooms across the school and each lab is fully equipped for practical work and has internet access. The present teaching team comprises six full-time teachers and a highly effective and qualified biology technician.

The successful candidate will be a qualified teacher who can teach all levels from S2 Biology to Advanced Higher. In 2023 the department will offer National 5 Biology in S3 and S4, CfE Higher qualifications in Biology and Human Biology in S5 and CfE Advanced Higher in S6. Other teaching commitments within the department might include teaching general science to S1 and Junior School pupils (P6 and P7). The department also offers FVI modules in Medical Biology, Volunteering, Biotechnology and Psychology.

The Biology Department at Dollar is a very successful department with high numbers of pupils taking the subject at all levels. Teachers are expected to promote an ethos of achievement and success, meeting the needs of all pupils, including high achievers and the less able. There is a strong culture of teamwork within the department and the successful applicant will be expected to work effectively as part of this friendly and well-established team.

Academic performance in national examinations is consistently high and the successful applicant will have high expectations of their pupils and encourage all pupils to fulfil their potential. This will be underpinned with exemplary teaching skills and excellent subject knowledge.

To enhance the work of the department and to foster an interest in the natural world, the department runs numerous trips throughout the year, some of which are residential. In the first term there will be a residential trip to Millport Marine Field Centre to carry out Advanced Higher Investigations and the ability to become involved in this trip would be advantageous but is not essential.

The Academy has a rich co-curricular programme in which all members of staff are expected to participate.