Teacher of Biology
Sevenoaks School
Sevenoaks, Kent
- Expired
- Salary:
- Sevenoaks has its own salary scale
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- September 2018
- Apply by:
- 15 April 2018
Job overview
The School
Founded in 1432, Sevenoaks enjoys a global reputation as a centre of academic excellence and a flagship school for the International Baccalaureate. A co-educational day and boarding school, it offers a stimulating, intellectually demanding and balanced education for pupils from the age of 11 to 18.
The school’s international make-up and outlook promote the principles of tolerance and open-mindedness. About 350 pupils board in the seven boarding houses, and students originate from some 40 countries worldwide.
In 2013 the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) awarded Sevenoaks School the rare accolade of ‘Exceptional’ for its students’ achievement. Sevenoaks was also the highest performing fully co-educational school, and the one with the largest cohort, in The Sunday Times Parent Power’s top 50 fee-paying schools for the IB in 2015. In November 2017 we were, for the second time in 10 years, awarded The Sunday Times Independent School of the Year.
Teaching at Sevenoaks School
Teaching here is immensely rewarding: we work in high-performing teams towards a shared endeavour. Everyone appointed to teach at Sevenoaks School is expected to actively engage in all aspects of our broad and well-rounded education.
We want all our pupils to enjoy their subjects, to be inspired by their teachers and to become independent, lifelong learners. Teachers are enthusiastic and well-qualified graduates. We have an exceptionally lively, talented and committed staff body. We welcome applications from experienced teachers and newly-qualified teachers but can also provide training including PGCE for those joining the profession at whatever stage. All new staff undertake a comprehensive induction programme. Sevenoaks is committed to supporting its staff with training and professional development tailored to staff needs and interests.
Curriculum
All of the 400-plus Sixth Form students pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma, a programme the school has delivered for nearly 40 years. The Diploma is the best preparation for university and for work in a world of global competition. Even more important, it genuinely develops a rich inner life in our students, opening their minds to connections and possibilities within and across the subject disciplines.
The Biology Department
The Biology department forms a key part of the Science and Technology faculty. Sevenoaks is virtually unique in the UK in that all 1080 students study at least one science for the entirety of their secondary education – three to Year 11 and at least one in the Sixth Form. The successful applicant will lead an exceptionally well-qualified and successful team. At present there are six full-time and four part-time biologists in the department, who are well-served by two full time, very knowledgeable and helpful laboratory technicians. The new state-of-the-art Science building will open in September 2018, and all sciences will be located together in one building. The department is well equipped, with a large amount of laboratory glassware, data-logging hardware and software, and enjoys the resources to carry out a large range of practical investigations.
All pupils entering the school at 11+ or 13+ are taught the three sciences by subject specialists and currently all students are entered for the Edexcel IGCSE Biology Examination.
Biology is a popular Sixth Form choice for girls and boys, and typically there will be up to ten sets (up to about 110 pupils) studying the International Baccalaureate course at either Standard or Higher Level in each of the two years. The department runs an annual expedition at the end of the summer term for Lower Sixth students where they experience ecological data collection, immerse themselves in local culture as well as aid the communities via fund raising. This year the students are visiting Mexico, but in previous years the department have visited Madagascar, Transylvania and Croatia.
The standard of teaching and learning in Biology in the Sixth Form is high, with many students enjoying success in the Biology Olympiad, achieving the highest grade at IB level and over 35 each year going on to study Natural Sciences, Medicine, Biological Sciences and other biology-related degrees at Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial and other leading universities. The average grade at Higher Level last year was 6.36, out of a possible maximum of 7.
The Post
We seek a well-qualified graduate to teach Biology full time from September 2018. Applicants should be enthusiastic and able to work well as part of the departmental team. Love of the subject and an ability to convey this to students is essential. The Science Faculty offers a range of activities for students outside the classroom, and the successful applicant would contribute to these. A commitment to excellent pastoral care and enriching co-curricular activities is also expected.
Attached documents
About Sevenoaks School
Founded in 1432, Sevenoaks enjoys a global reputation as a centre of academic excellence and a flagship school for the International Baccalaureate. A co-educational day and boarding school, it offers a stimulating, intellectually demanding and balanced education for over 1200 students from ages 11 to 18.
Sevenoaks is one of the world’s leading IB schools, having taught the International Baccalaureate for over 40 years. For nearly 20 years, all Sixth Form students have taken the full IB Diploma with consistently outstanding academic results which are testament to the school’s experience and commitment to the programme.
In 2023, the average Diploma score was 39.0 points, about eight points above the world average. The Higher Education department supported applications of 246 students to universities in the UK, USA, Canada, Europe and Hong Kong with an outstanding 93 per cent progressing to their firm choice university. The majority attend Oxbridge, London universities, or other Russell Group universities such as Bristol or Durham. We also support about 20 per cent of our students in applying to international universities with increasing numbers going to North America, specifically Ivy League and top universities in the United States.
The school is situated in the Kent market town of Sevenoaks and has a prime position at the top of the high street. The 100-acre site, which includes several listed buildings and attractive gardens, is beautifully landscaped and adjoins the medieval deer park of Knole. London is only a 30-minute train ride away. Gatwick airport is only 30 minutes by car, and there are good transport links to other London airports and the Channel Tunnel.
Sevenoaks students have access to a fantastic range of facilities on campus for co-curricular pursuits, including sport, music, drama and art, at least 70 clubs and societies, a wide range of study trips and exchanges, and a well-established community service programme. Recent developments on campus include a superb sports centre, and a state-of-the-art performing arts centre, and a world-class Science and Technology Centre and a Global Study Centre for the Sixth Form. An additional boarding house for boys, a contemporary building with light, modern facilities, opened in 2019, and a new girls’ boarding house is expected to open in 2024.
With seven distinctive and comfortable boarding houses, our boarding community is fun, friendly, and busy. Boarding provides an excellent transition from home to independence and maturity; the Sixth Form boarding houses enable boys and girls to enjoy the benefits of boarding at an important stage in their school careers, and to prepare for life at university.
Accolades
In 2018 Sevenoaks School was, for the second time in 10 years, awarded The Sunday Times Independent School of the Year. In the same year, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) awarded Sevenoaks School the highest grade – ‘Excellent’ – in both categories which formed the basis of the inspection: ‘Pupils’ Achievement’ and ‘Pupils’ Personal Development’.
Teaching at Sevenoaks:
Teaching here is immensely rewarding: we work in high-performing teams towards a shared endeavour. Everyone appointed to teach at Sevenoaks School is expected to engage actively in all aspects of our broad and well-rounded education.
We want all our pupils to enjoy their subjects, to be inspired by their teachers and to become independent, lifelong learners. Teachers are enthusiastic and well-qualified graduates. We have an exceptionally lively, talented and committed staff body. We welcome applications from experienced teachers and newly-qualified teachers, but can also provide training including PGCE for those joining the profession at whatever stage. All new staff undertake a comprehensive induction programme. Sevenoaks is committed to supporting its staff with training and professional development tailored to staff needs and interests.
All teachers are involved in proactive pastoral care. All teachers participate in the co-curriculum and, as our outreach activities expand, contribute to our work with local pupils and schools. Teachers at Sevenoaks are innovative and forward-thinking many are involved in the Institutes of Teaching and Learning, Higher Education and Professional Insight, and Service and Partnerships, shaping further development and initiatives for students and staff alike.
What people say about us:
‘Tough for any university not to be an anti-climax after Sevenoaks.’ Good Schools Guide.
The International Baccalaureate
All new staff undertake a comprehensive induction programme. No previous experience of teaching the International Baccalaureate, which we have taught since 1978, is necessary; gaining experience of teaching the IB, an internationally recognised qualification which we believe offers outstanding preparation for university and beyond, is stimulating and undoubtedly a valuable career asset. Information about the IB can be found on the website www.ibo.org.
Please note that you are wholly responsible for fact checking in respect of the information provided by schools. Please also check for the latest visa and work permit requirements that may apply. Tes is not responsible for the content of advertisements or the policies adopted by advertising schools. Tes asks that all schools follow Tes' Fair Recruitment Policy.