Head of Biology
Walthamstow Academy, London, E17 5DPThis job expired on 30 January 2023 – see similar jobs
Closing date
30 January 2023 at 8am
Date listed
11 January 2023
Job details
Job role
- Teacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Subject
- View all Biologyjobs
Working pattern
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- Main Pay Scale/ Upper Pay Scale + TLR 2 (More for an exceptional candidate)
Head of Biology job summary
Head of Biology
Closing date: Monday 30 January 8am
Interview: Week commencing 30 January
Start Date: Summer Term
Salary: Main Pay Scale/ Upper Pay Scale + TLR 2 (More for an exceptional candidate)
About United Learning
United Learning is a unique group of independent and state schools working together to achieve the best in everyone. Our vision is to provide excellent education so that all young people are able to make a success of their lives and, if we are to realise this vision, we need to make sure we attract, develop and reward the key ingredient – you.
Job Introduction
Opportunity to play a role in the development of our highly successful Academy.
We seek an outstanding and innovative Head of Biology to join a dynamic and supportive department. We are looking for someone who is committed to securing high standards of learning and teaching in order to raise academic achievement. Walthamstow Academy students value and enjoy their Science lessons here, and are passionate about learning; many choose to study A Level Biology (and Chemistry and Physics!) with us as a result. There will also be the opportunity to contribute to our large enrichment programme and share expertise across a growing group of Academies and independent schools within United Learning.
As Head of Biology, you will be an outstanding practitioner with the ability to be a strong leader of people who will look to you for outstanding line management, support and challenge. We know that outstanding leaders have transferable skills and are confident and effective in all aspects of their leadership but we also recognise that as a Head of Biology, you will need support and challenge yourself so that you can grow to be the best you can be – we will make this happen.
We need someone who is passionate about making a difference. Our students are amazing, so are our staff. If you have the qualities to be part of the team to take outcomes for the Academy to the next level, please get in touch.
Main Responsibilities
- to set high expectations for standards of teaching and learning and to model good practice in Biology to promote the building and sharing of good practice and successful innovation across your team
- to ensure the consistent application of teaching and learning strategies that meet the needs of all learners
- to ensure the ongoing development and evaluation of appropriate specifications and schemes of work and that these are followed by all teachers
- to monitor and evaluate standards of teaching and learning of Biology through classroom observation, sampling pupils’ work and student feedback
- to oversee effective assessment, recording and reporting of pupil progress in Biology
Working for us
Walthamstow Academy opened its impressive new building in 2006 and since then we have achieved excellent results both at GCSE and at A Level. In 2022, Walthamstow Academy students achieved a Progress 8 score of 0.54. At A-Level, [LJ1] our students achieve excellently with many of them progressing to Russell Group institutions. Because we are so successful, the school is now full and oversubscribed on first choices alone.
We do not achieve these results by accident. At Walthamstow Academy, we believe in the best in everyone. We have a relentless focus on high expectations and aim to identify barriers to success and provide necessary support as quickly as possible to ensure our students achieve. We do not accept excuses and always strive for the best.
The Academy is proud of its multi-cultural character, and we celebrate the diversity of heritage in our community. 90% of our students are from minority ethnic groups, many coming from African, Caribbean, Eastern European, Turkish and Pakistani communities.
Within the community served by the Academy there is social and economic disadvantage with 35% of students being eligible for Pupil Premium. Almost 60% have a first language other than English and a significant number have low levels of literacy on entry. Many students enter the Academy with low levels of attainment and the staff work hard to add value to their performance. Standards across the Academy are above national averages in most subjects.
The Academy is located close to the North Circular Road, M11 and both Blackhorse Road and Walthamstow Central underground stations from where it takes about half an hour to get into central London. The Academy is situated in a part of London where property prices are still relatively inexpensive and within easy access of Epping Forest, the Lee Valley and rural Hertfordshire and Essex.
Walthamstow Academy has achieved the CPLD Gold Award in recognition of our investment in professional development, because we know that without our wonderful staff, what we have achieved would not be possible, so thank you for your interest in coming to work with us. It starts with someone like you believing you can contribute further to our community.
What we Offer
Here at Walthamstow Academy, we are committed to ensuring our employees feel valued and appreciated and this includes your employee benefits.
We recognise that flexible working has a key role to play in attracting, retaining, developing and rewarding outstanding members of staff. We are committed to encouraging and enabling flexible working opportunities at Walthamstow Academy.
We work with Perkbox to offer you over 250 exclusive benefits, all through their easy-to-access platform and app. Featuring a huge range of perks, from discounted cinema tickets and holidays, to money off meals out at restaurants nationwide, and savings on food, technology and clothes shopping.
Discounted Gym Memberships through Perkbox, you can access a range of gym membership discounts at over 3000 sites across the country. We also provide free use of our school gym 24/7 with weekly participation of sporting tournaments on offer. We also have our own gym in the academy!
Cycle2Work Scheme provides you with a bicycle and equipment such as lights, locks and panniers so that you can cycle to work and in your spare time! As this is a salary sacrifice scheme, you can save money through income tax and NI deductions.
Car Lease Scheme, as a Group, we have partnered with SG Fleet to launch the Novalease scheme for all staff, providing you with access to great discounts on car leasing through a direct debit scheme. You can also exchange a portion of your gross salary in return for any lower CO2 emission car of your choice.
Support and Continuous Professional Development is available for staff at all stages of their career
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
About Walthamstow Academy
- School type
- Academy, Christian, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- View all Secondaryjobs
- School size
- 1092 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report (opens in new tab)
- School website
- Walthamstow Academy website (opens in new tab)
School location
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