Subject Leader - Biology
Plume School, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6AB6 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 January 2027
Closing date
19 October 2026 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
12 October 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teacher or lecturer
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
Subject
- Biology
Working pattern
- Full time: 32.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- Upper Teachers | M1 - U3
Additional allowances
TLR 2B (£6,0789)
What skills and experience we're looking for
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:
- A dynamic 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
What the school offers its staff
- A state-of-the-art hub for scientific excellence
- A highly supportive and friendly working environment
- Opportunities to teach across KS3, 4 and 5
- Cycle-to-work Scheme
- 24/7 Free Employee Assistance Programme (offering individual support, information and advice including financial, legal and home-life and work-related issues)
- CPD opportunities and Internal Promotion
- Free staff car park
- Essex Working Well Wellbeing Service (health and wellbeing support and guidance)
- Access to Workplace Health Champions
- Access to Mental Health First Aiders
Further information about the job
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.
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.
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:
- A dynamic 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
- Opportunities to teach across KS3, 4 and 5
- Cycle-to-work Scheme
- 24/7 Free Employee Assistance Programme (offering individual support, information and advice including financial, legal and home-life and work-related issues)
- CPD opportunities and Internal Promotion
- Free staff car park
- Essex Working Well Wellbeing Service (health and wellbeing support and guidance)
- Access to Workplace Health Champions
- Access to Mental Health First Aiders
Personal Qualities
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.
Responsibilities of the Post-Holder
In accordance with the job description for Subject Leader - Biology, the key responsibilities will be as follows:
- 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.
Application Process
If you are interested in the position and wish to discuss the post prior to application, please email Mrs Dorcas Ologunde, Director of HR (hr@plume.essex.sch.uk) to arrange a telephone conversation. We are very proud of our academy and what we can offer new members of our collaborative team. We will be pleased to discuss the post and provide more information about the post and the academy in general.
To apply please complete the Online Plume Academy application form (https://recruit.sampeople.co.uk/Jobboard/Vacancy/Details?campaignRef=SCH-PT-0178). This must be completed and submitted by the closing date and time stated (unaccompanied CVs or third-party application forms will not be accepted).
Closing Date: noon Monday 19 October 2026
Interviews are likely to take place the same week; however, early applicants may be taken through to interview sooner.
The Plume Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Appointment is subject to satisfactory references, medical clearance and an enhanced DBS check. The Plume Academy welcomes applications from those of all backgrounds, faiths and ethnic groups.
Commitment to safeguarding
The Board of Trustees is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. All appointment are therefore subject to satisfactory DBS and Immigration Checks, together with the receipt of References and Health Clearances.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Plume School
- Organisation type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- Size
- 1789 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- Website
- Plume School website
- Email address
- HR@plume.essex.sch.uk
The Plume School converted to become an academy school in January 2012.
The last full inspection took place in November 2023 and the school was judged to be good across all areas. Ofsted acknowledged the high quality of teaching and excellent relationships in the Academy. Please see the academy website for more information.
The academy is a larger-than-average secondary school with a sixth form.
The vast majority of pupils are White British.
The proportions of pupils who speak English as an additional language or who are from ethnic minorities are both well below the national average.
The proportion of students eligible for the pupil premium is broadly average, as is the proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities, although for those with an education, health and care plan the proportion is slightly above the national average.
The school meets the government’s current floor standards for pupils’ achievement in English and mathematics at the end of key stage 4.
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, together with the receipt of references.
Visits to the Academy are welcome.
Arranging a visit to Plume School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email HR@plume.essex.sch.uk.
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