Assistant Director of Learning, Science - Biology
Chipping Campden School, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, GL55 6HU2 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
21 May 2026 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
19 May 2026
Job details
Job role
- Head of department or curriculum
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
Subject
- Biology
Working pattern
- Full time, part time: Full time of Part time (min. 0.8FTE)
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- MPS/UPS
Additional allowances
TLR2B
What skills and experience we're looking for
Job description
Post Title: Assistant Director of Learning - Biology
Responsible to: Director of Learning (Science)
Section A: Job purpose
- To effectively lead and coordinate the delivery of Biology, in-line with Science Leadership Structure.
- Deputise in the absence (short-term only) for the Director of Learning (Science) during terms 1 and 4.
- Ensure academic outcomes in KS4 Biology and KS5 Biology that are in-line with the top 15% of schools nationally.
- To support and promote Chipping Campden School’s vision and values.
Section B: Key responsibilities
Academic student progress
- Analyse academic student assessment data in relevant areas to (a) inform curriculum planning and (b) inform relevant student interventions.
- Lead the KS4/KS5 results analysis.
Communications
- Act as the initial responder to parental queries (beyond the subject teacher).
- Communicate effectively with all stakeholders, and in-line with the school values.
- Attend the fortnightly Science Leadership Group meeting (DoL and three ADoLs) and arrive prepared to lead items, as per the agreed agenda.
- Communicate and liaise with ADoL (Chemistry) and ADoL (Physics) to ensure consistency of approach across the science faculty.
- Collaborating with other Biology and science professionals, and wider professional communities to exploit wider curriculum application opportunities.
- Act as the initial person for others to contact regarding all issues relating to Biology.
Curriculum
- Implement an inspiring and comprehensive Biology scheme of work across relevant areas, which ensures progression, challenge and coherence.
- Design a rigorous assessment system which is common across the faculty.
- Regularly reviewing and update the curriculum to reflect current scientific advancements.
- Ensuring that the curriculum enables all students to make good progress including where there are barriers to learning, through clear and consistent systems and provision for all, actively promoting inclusion.
- Contribute towards the Department Development Plan, its implementation and the part it plays in the whole school development.
- Contribute and lead aspects of Departmental Curriculum Reviews, including the implementation of agreed actions.
- Responsibility for the effective transition of students from Year 11 to Year 12 in Biology; to include Sixth Form Open Evening, Sixth Form Induction days and Year 12 Summer Bridging Work.
Examinations (Internal and external)
- Ensure robust internal assessments are in place across the faculty for relevant areas.
- Prepare robust mock assessment material as per the school calendar and create opportunities for Biology teachers to standardise and moderate marking.
- Ensure all internal assessment data is readily available on internal systems, as required.
- Preparing students for internal and external examinations, including developing revision plans.
- Ensure students are entered as appropriate for all external examinations.
- Liaise effectively with the Examinations Officer with regards to external examinations.
Resources
- Ensure that the allocation and use of accommodation within the Biology classrooms provides a positive learning environment that promotes the highest achievement for all.
- Manage and organise the Biology department environment efficiently and effectively to ensure that it meets the needs of the curriculum and health and safety regulations.
- Liaise with the Director of Learning for Science to ensure departmental stock and resources to support effective teaching and learning are purchased while ensuring best value for money.
- Liaise with technician(s) responsible for Biology to ensure stock and teaching resources are stored correctly, utilised effectively and disposed of in accordance with health and safety regulations.
- Ensure that all necessary department risk assessments are completed and records maintained.
Quality of teaching and learning
- In partnership with the DoL and other ADoLs, contribute to the development of T&L within the department, as per the agreed LM structure.
- Providing a model of outstanding practice to all Biology staff in teaching and department leadership.
- Monitoring the implementation of the department homework policy.
- Fostering a positive learning environment by creating a supportive and inclusive atmosphere where students are engaged, feel motivated, and confident to ask questions, experiment and learn actively.
- Securing and sustaining effective teaching and learning throughout the Biology curriculum by assisting the Director of Learning for science in monitoring and evaluating the quality of teaching by such activities, but not limited to, learning walks, lesson observations, work sampling, and the gathering of staff and student voice.
- Ensuring the effective and consistent implementation of the Teachers’ Appraisal Policy and other systems of quality assurance and professional development of line managed staff.
- Set cover work (if required) for classes
- Ensuring creativity, innovation, and the use of appropriate new technologies to achieve excellence in Biology.
Student behaviour
- Promote a positive learning environment within the Biology department.
- Consistently implement the school Behaviour Policy within relevant areas (inc. rewards and sanctions).
- Celebrate areas of success for individual students/groups of students, within relevant areas.
- Contribute towards the nomination of students for Junior and Senior Awards Evening, and the presentation of the awards (inc. reading of relevant citations).
Section C: Main duties
- The job description above also includes fulfilment of the job description for that of a Classroom Teacher.
- The duties in this job description may be modified by the Principal, in consultation with the postholder, to reflect or anticipate changes in the job, commensurate with the salary and job title.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Relevant educational qualifications at school/college (E)
Educated to degree level (E)
PGCE (or equivalent) (E)
QTS (E)
Good honours degree (1st or 2:1) (D)
Other postgraduate qualification (Eg. MEd) (D)
Professional knowledge and experience
Appropriate experience of teaching classes across the age and ability range (E)
Able to teach Biology to GCSE and ‘A’ Level, achieving excellent student outcomes (E)
Ability to plan, maintain, develop and deliver outstanding teaching and learning (E)
Ability to build good relationships with young people with strong behaviour management strategies (E)
Able to lead, coach, manage and motivate staff (E)
Evidence of on-going professional development (E)
Creativity in using new technologies or teaching practices to help students learn and make progress (D)
Traits and competencies
Committed to and good understanding of Safeguarding and Child Protection practice and procedure (E)
Outstanding oral communicator (E)
Written communications are appropriate for the intended audience, grammatically correct and showcase high levels of written literacy (E)
A ‘self-starter’ with the ability to prioritise effectively and meet deadlines (E)
Someone who: (E)
- is reflective, with high levels of personal resilience and able to accept constructive feedback from others in order to further improve performance
- prioritises ‘the team’ above ‘self’, and contributes wholeheartedly to the life, culture, spirit and ethos of our school
- thrives on challenge, with the necessary drive and determination to get a job done.
Willingness to be involved in and contribute to the development of the department and extra-curricular activities (D)
What the school offers its staff
Staff benefits
Every school is unique and ours is no exception. One of our unique selling points is the relatively high average length of service of our staff, and relatively low rate of staff turnover. Neither of these are by chance and are the product of staff feeling trusted, empowered and recognised for leading the roles they do. We feel that a mark of the outstanding school we are is symbolised by the number of staff who choose to send their children to be educated with us.
Below is a list of just some of the ‘pull factors’ that contribute to making our school a great place to work:
- An allocation of three, paid staff wellbeing days, where employees are not required to be in school
- An average of 17.4 students per teacher (full-time equivalent)
- Access to a beautiful property at below market rent situated a short distance from our school. (Subject to availability)
- In iPad to use in school and at home, to enable seamless remote working, using cloud-based technology.
- Commitment to staff wellbeing through a variety of internal practices, designed to recruit and retain the very best staff.
- Complimentary use of the school sports facilities, fitness suite and swimming pool (timetable in place).
- Comprehensive range of staff social events throughout the year.
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Focused weekly SLT meetings, which run to time and have a cut-off of 6:00pm – without fail!
- Freshly prepared and cooked food available on site
- Generous allocation of directed time - for the 2024/25 year, all teaching staff have at least 14% of the timetabled week allocated as non-contact periods; more for TLR postholders.
- Health and wellbeing support including access to an Employee Assistance Programme (including partners and dependents), confidential counselling services and support from our Staff Wellbeing Group, who meet regularly to ensure that our staff wellbeing is prioritised.
- Outstanding, tailored CPD
- Pension Scheme membership (Teachers Pensions or Local Government Pensions Scheme)
- Support in completing relevant external leadership development programmes.
- The school is located within the beautiful Cotswold town of Chipping Campden, with friendly businesses, including a wide range of restaurants and pubs.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Chipping Campden School is committed to equality of opportunity and safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all of our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Applying for the job
This job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Chipping Campden School
- School type
- Academies, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1479 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Chipping Campden School website
- Email address
- recruitment@campden.school
Chipping Campden School is an outstanding school (OfSTED 2017) with a long and distinguished history dating back to 1440, and a reputation to match. However, it is also a forward-looking school, striving always to provide the best opportunities for students to achieve their potential in a time of rapid change.
We provide a relevant and challenging curriculum to meet student developing interests and ambitions and our school environment is one which promotes high quality learning. However, education for life is about much more than the academic content of courses, and Chipping Campden School offers a wide range of enriching opportunities to prepare its students for their futures.
It is difficult to put into words the very special ethos of Chipping Campden School but is an inclusive and affirming place to be, both as a student and member of staff.
Located in such an outstandingly attractive town in the Cotswolds, you can enjoy living/working in such an area that is only a short journey from Stratford-Upon-Avon, Cheltenham and Evesham. Moreton has a main line station with direct link to Oxford and London.
There are approximately 1418 students in School, including 323 in the Sixth Form. Every student is treated as an individual while being developed into an active and positive member of the school community and a global citizen. The school offers a very wide range of extra-curricular activities including sport, music and drama and standards here are also very high.
We have a stable staff of well-qualified and talented professionals, united in our desire to ensure that all students reach their potential. We work collaboratively with parents, partner schools and colleges and external agencies to support individual students in this. There is a well established provision of staff development and regular meetings allowing opportunities to communicate, share good practice and challenge and ensure all are secure in the part they play in the success of the school.
School location
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