Subject Leader - Biology

Plume Academy; Heybridge; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State-of-the-art facilities

Supportive environment

Career progression opportunities

Job summary

Plume Academy in Essex seeks a dynamic Subject Leader of Biology to lead the biology department within our 11-19 academy. You will drive learning, develop schemes of work and ensure effective assessment across biology courses.

The post includes responsibility for progress data, pastoral tutoring, and involvement in wider science initiatives. Applicants should hold a relevant degree with QTS and have experience teaching across ability ranges.

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant subject and QTS prior to commencement.
• Experience teaching across the ability range.
• Commitment to high standards and progression.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership for management of progress and attainment data for biology courses.
• Monitor student progress and plan interventions to ensure progress targets are met.
• Ensure effective schemes of work for each biology course.
• Know prior learning and achievement of students at the start of biology courses.
• Ensure policies for assessment, setting, referencing and reporting are enacted.
• Support continuity and progression across Key Stages in biology.

Skills

Leadership

Biology knowledge

Communication skills

Education

Degree in a relevant subject

QTS

Job description

We are seeking to appoint a dynamic and well-qualified teacher to take responsibility for the leadership of biology and assist in our strong Science Faculty in our highly successful 11-19 academy. The Subject Leader of Biology will be primarily responsible for establishing and supporting the resources and environment for learning for all biology courses within the Science Faculty.

Key Responsibilities

• To take full ownership for the management and upkeep of progress and attainment data for all biology courses.
• To monitor the progress of students following biology courses, planning, and implementing intervention as necessary to ensure students make at least expected levels of progress.
• Ensuring that effective schemes of work are in place for each biology course.
• Ensuring that teachers know the prior learning and achievement of the students at the beginning of each biology course.
• Ensuring that teachers know the potential to achieve of the students based on prior achievement data.
• Ensuring that school curriculum policies for assessment, setting, target setting, recording, and reporting are enacted within biology courses.
• Ensuring that progression and continuity is achieved throughout all biology courses and between Key Stages.

Pastoral

At Plume Academy all teaching staff are expected to fulfil both an academic teaching role and a pastoral role by acting as a tutor to a group of assigned students.This involves staff in all aspects of pastoral work including guidance, safeguarding, monitoring, and encouraging progress, contact with parents, writing report sand compiling student references.Tutors also deliver part of Plume Academy's Personal Development Programme.

Wider Contribution

Teaching staff are encouraged to contribute to the academy's rich extra-curricular programme, and all candidates will be provided with the opportunity to discuss their personal interests at interview.

As one of the largest educational establishments in Essex, there are many opportunities for career progression. Via an academy-wise coaching programme, staff are encouraged to take responsibility for their own career development, with full support and encouragement from their line managers and other relevant staff, including those responsible for staff training.

Remuneration

Annual salary for a qualified teacher will be in accordance with the Plume Academy Teacher Pay Scale, which from appointment for a full-time post currently involves a salary of up to £52,835 plus TLR 2B (£6,0789), however, the current salary of the applicant will be taken into consideration in respect of the salary offered. Salaries are reviewed by national negotiation with effect from 1st September each year. Progression through the Teachers' Pay Scale is subject to an annual performance review process.

The successful candidate will be expected to teach across the whole 11 - 19 age and ability range including A Level. The successful candidate should be:

• Adynamic and innovative biology teacher with excellent communication skills
• Able to demonstrate a strong commitment to learning and raising standards
• Experienced in teaching across the ability range

We can offer you:

• A state-of-the-art hub for scientific excellence
• A highly supportive and friendly working environment, The successful applicant should have a degree in a relevant subject and will have achieved Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) prior to the commencement of their role.

Applicants should be hardworking, enthusiastic and have high levels of commitment. They should be able to plan, deliver and assess high-quality learning experiences for all learners in their care and deploy a range of strategies to support their personal development.

They should have an interest in new teaching and learning developments and possess high degree of integrity.Experienced candidates should be able to demonstrate a highly successful track-record of teaching the subject with strong examination outcomes, particularly at key stage four.

This is an exciting opportunity to join Plume Academy at a transformative point in its development. Biology is taught within our newly opened Sarah Dignasse Science Centre, a landmark three-storey facility providing modern laboratories and specialist teaching spaces as part of the academy's £14.8 million expansion programme. The investment reflects our commitment to providing outstanding learning environments and creating the very best opportunities for students and staff to flourish., Currently the third largest secondary school in Essex as a single academy trust and growing, we are focused on enhancing our future structure and have roles where we are seeking people who can bring fresh perspectives and new variety for the benefits of our students. At Plume Academy you will find the space to develop your talents, the freedom to contribute and the opportunity to grow as part of our welcoming and inclusive family. Employing over 250 staff, from teaching and learning to management and administration, you will find opportunities at every level, across both of our campuses.

Our people share a determination to push boundaries, think differently and achieve more. As an employee, you'll play a crucial part in assisting with our continual development. In return, we will support, nurture and reward you with benefits from training and development to responsibility recognition.

Plume had a successful Ofsted inspection in November 2023 and was judged a 'good' Academy. Ofsted acknowledged the high quality of teaching and excellent relationships in the Academy.

Plume Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. All appointments are therefore subject to satisfactory DBS and Immigration Checks, demonstration of ability, together with the receipt of references.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.