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Head of Biology
Maidstone Grammar School for Girls, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 0SF13 days remaining to apply
Start date details
April 2027
Closing date
26 November 2026 at 8am
Date listed
13 November 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teacher or lecturer
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Subject
- Biology
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full time equivalent salary
- £34,069.00 - £52,835.00 Annually (Actual) TLR 2A £8913 MPS/UPS Full-time/permanent
Head of Biology job summary
The Post
Head of Biology
TLR 2A £8,913 pa
Required from April 2027 MPS/UPS Full-time Permanent
We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic, dynamic and innovative colleague to join our team of committed professionals within the Science Faculty. A passion for Biology and the desire to inspire others are essential. The ability to teach Biology at A Level is essential, as demand for this subject is high.
We welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate:
A passion for teaching Biology
Commitment to promoting high quality teaching and learning within this department
Ability to motivate and develop a team of teachers
Ability to promote Science across the curriculum
Experience of teaching Biology to A level standard
The Team & Our Facilities
The school has an excellent reputation for Science resulting in many students continuing to study Biology, Chemistry or Physics at A level. In Year 7 and 8, lessons are timetabled as 'Science' resulting in a more holistic view of the topics covered. From Year 9 onwards, the Sciences are taught separately allowing excellent and in depth preparation for external examinations. At GCSE students take either Triple Science or Combined Science. A levels are offered in all the Sciences and are highly successful both in terms of results and as preparation for university. Practical work forms a key part of Science lessons; we want students to discover things themselves and the best way to do this is through investigations.
The Science Department consists of 10 colleagues supported by 4 Science Technicians. The Head of Science, line manages the Heads of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, who in turn lead their own departments. You will be teaching in the Helen Keen Building, a new, state-of-the-art three-storey academic block housing high-specification science laboratories, music suites, and modern classrooms.
MGGS emphasizes an "Advanced Thinking School" framework, nurturing scientific inquiry, practical experimentation, and critical analysis
Job Description
Core Purpose
The role of the Head of Department is to provide effective leadership in their specific subject areas and to build a team which can provide high quality teaching and learning in the specific subject areas. They are responsible for raising student attainment and achievement within their curriculum areas.
The post holder will:
Report to a member of the Head of Science
Carry out the professional duties as set out in the current Teachers Pay and Conditions document issued under the Teachers Pay and Conditions Act 1991
Provide professional leadership and management within the Department in order to secure high quality teaching, effective use of resources and improved standards of learning and achievement for all students
Be responsible for the overall management of the teaching of the subject and the learning and progress of students in the subject
Be committed to professional self-development in order to carry out the job successfully.
Leadership
Line manage members of the Department
Provide a link between the Department and the Head of Science
Support the Head of Science in an annual Department results analysis
Teaching and Learning
Ensure that teaching within the Department is of the highest standard through differentiated Schemes of Work, appropriate deployment of staff, use of targets and implementation of School policies.
Monitor, formally and informally, teaching and learning in the Department
Review regularly all aspects of the Department’s work to ensure progress
Maintain records to demonstrate this.
Management
Create and maintain clear Department documentation (Schemes of Work, Handbook)
Manage and organise resources
Evaluate Schemes of Work
Initiate and manage change to raise standards where necessary
Lead subject meetings
Set targets for the Department and monitor those targets against student performance.
People and Relationships
Act as a reviewer in the annual Appraisal Cycle
Develop the role of members of the Department,including inducting new staff in the Department
Manage serious issues of behaviour management within the Department In line with school policy
Health and Safety
Implement the Health and Safety Policy of the School, including the production of subject specific Health and Safety Policies where relevant
Monitor all rooms and stock cupboards for faults, deficiencies, damage, cleanliness and hygiene
Include Health and Safety on the Agendas of Department Meetings at least termly.
Assessment
Oversee the assessment and recording of students’ performance in the subject(s) in line with School policy and process
Monitor the performance of students across the school in the subject through the use of Department and whole school data
Ensure that whole school assessments are in place by the published deadlines
Track student progress over time within the Department.
Student Support
Identify students who are under-achieving in the Department and liaise with the Head of Study as necessary.
Safeguarding
Adhere to the requirements as set out in the current version of KCSIE
Attend/Complete all MGGS training in relation to safeguarding
Report all safeguarding concerns in a timely manner as specified by the school
Ensure there is a culture of safeguarding within all areas of the role
Be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
Person Specification
We recognise that a full list of qualities can seem daunting and value you as a whole person over a checklist of attributes. We don't expect equal mastery in all areas. Please use your supporting statement to highlight your key strengths, proudest achievements, and the contributions you can make to our school.
Essential characteristics
Qualifications
Good honours graduate
Good secondary school qualifications
Qualified teacher status
Personal qualities
Passion for teaching Biology and an ability to communicate this to others
Ability to inspire and motivate others
Capacity for hard work and high expectations of self and others
Supportive approach to others, and an ability to relate well to colleagues and students
Ability to lead a team, and to work well within teams
Ability to make difficult decisions
Generosity of spirit
Experience of running extra-curricular activities and school trips
High expectations of students
Knowledge and skills
Excellent teaching skills
Excellent capacity for leadership and management
Understanding of the importance of modelling in leadership
Good communication skills, including the effective use of ICT
Thorough knowledge of the subject(s)
Ability to use monitoring and evaluation to raise achievement
Ability to prioritise own workload and that of others
Ability to evaluate the work of the department and to maintain focus on improvement
A knowledge of current educational developments
Ability to create a positive, inclusive learning environment
Evidence of high standards of health and safety in all practical work
Experience and training
Experience of teaching Biology to A level and at least two of Biology, Chemistry and Physics to GCSE
Achievement of excellent results for students
Evidence of a commitment to professional development
Some experience of, or preparation for, leadership
The Application Process
Full details and an application pack are available from the school’s website. Applicants should complete the application form.
Important Dates
Closing date for applications: 8am on 26th November 2026
Interview date: 30th November 2026
Our School and all its personnel are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children. This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service. The School will undertake an online check of shortlisted candidates in accordance with the requirements of the current edition of Keeping Children Safe in Education. For more information please see our Safeguarding Policy.
Your application will be treated in the strictest confidence. Please see our GDPR and Data Protection Policy, Equality Policy, Child Protection Policy on our website.
MGGS is committed to ensure that we develop a safe culture and that all steps are taken to recruit staff and volunteers who are safe to work with our learners and staff. MGGS will follow relevant guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education (Part Three, ‘Safer Recruitment’) and from The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). It is an offence to apply for a role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. Please see the Guidance on Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Our School and all its personnel are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children. This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service. The School will undertake an online check of shortlisted candidates in accordance with the requirements of the current edition of Keeping Children Safe in Education.
Applying for the job
This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Maidstone Grammar School for Girls
- Organisation type
- Local authority maintained school, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- Size
- 1254 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
Maidstone Grammar School for Girls is a very successful selective girls’ school of 1,250 students with a mixed sixth form of approximately 320. Ofsted judged us to be outstanding and our examination results reflect this. We are a happy, thriving community, with a long standing tradition of excellence in all that we do. We have been an Advanced Thinking School since 2015. The post offers the opportunity to work with intellectually able young people in a supportive and friendly environment. Staff benefits include strong support for professional development.
“Maidstone Grammar School for Girls is an outstanding school” (Ofsted March 2023)
If you wish to find out more about MGGS please visit our website at https://www.mggs.org/ and to take a virtual tour please visit https://youtu.be/kuqmn-D4AJY
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