Teacher of Biology-Part Time-0.6

A vacancy arises from September 2024 for an enthusiastic and well-qualified teacher to teach Biology to GCSE and A Level, and Y7/Y8 Science. Applications are welcome from newly qualified teachers, for whom a statutory induction programme is available, or from more experienced teachers. The role is to work 0.6 but the exact details will be discussed at interview stage. Please state in your covering letter any preferences which we will try to accommodate as best we can.

There are twelve academic members of staff in the Science Department: The Head of Science who is also Head of Physics, the Head of Chemistry, the Head of Biology and nine teachers. They are supported by three technicians. Virtually all science lessons are taught in the school’s laboratories which are housed in three buildings: five in a Science block with an additional Physics lab close by, and two labs for A level Chemistry and Biology in an adjacent building. Pupils are taught in small classes with an average pupil number of 18 in Y7-Y9, 20 at GCSE and a maximum of 15 for A Level classes. The pupils are grouped by ability for Y8-Y11.

An in-house Science course is followed by all pupils in the Lower School (Y7-Y8) on a six period allocation with one or two teachers for each class. In the Middle School (Y9-Y11), Science is taught by subject specialists in one double period per week for each discipline in Y9 and three periods per week (one double, one single) in Y10 and Y11, leading to either two (AQA Trilogy Science) or three (AQA Biology, Physics and Chemistry) GCSEs. Either course provides an effective base for A Level, where AQA specifications are also followed. The numbers of students opting for Sciences at this level are high.

Biology is very popular at A-level with approximately one third of sixth form pupils taking the course and a large proportion of those aspiring to study Medicine/Dentistry at University. The standard of students’ work in Biology is high and this is reflected in the fine public examination results. In 2023 the Department achieved 77% A*-B grades at A level, with 46% of candidates achieving A*/A. In GCSE Biology 67% of candidates achieved grades 9-7, with 28% achieving grade 9. It is a well resourced department and a team of committed teachers who ensure that Biology is highly respected within the School.

Application Procedure

1. A cover letter addressed to Peter Harris, Head of no more than one side of A4 explaining why you would like this role and the skills and experiences you can bring to it (minimum font size of 11)
2. A completed Birkdale School application form which includes the names, addresses, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of two referees

Closing date for applications –2nd May 2024 at 12 noon

Interviews – 9th or 10th May 2024

Email your application to: Peter Harris, Head at Recruit@birkdaleschool.org.uk by the closing date of 2nd May 2024 (12:00 noon).

For an informal discussion regarding the role please do not hesitate to contact Alicia Webster, HR on 01142 66 8408 on ext 646.

Applicants who do not provide a Covering Letter and Application Form, as stipulated, will unfortunately not be considered. If you have any difficulties in providing this, please do not hesitate to contact the HR team at Recruit@birkdaleschool.org.uk