Teacher of Biology - Reading School

Reading School, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5LW

25 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2025

• Closing date

  15 January 2025 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  17 December 2024

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher
  • Suitable for early career teachers
• 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
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £31,650 to £49,084 Per year

What skills and experience we're looking for

Starting from September 2025 - This is a permanent full-time role, but we will consider applications for candidates looking to work part-time. If you are seeking a part-time contract, please provide details in the supporting statement for your application.

The Governors at Reading School are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and inspiring member of staff to join our Biology team from September 2025. We offer an exciting opportunity in an exceptional team and a school that is passionate about Biology as a subject.

We are looking for an individual who is willing to extend the educational opportunities of all students and work collaboratively on curriculum developments. We have high expectations for the pupils who achieve excellent grades in public examinations and love advancing their understanding of the subject. The successful applicant should have secure subject knowledge and be able to challenge pupils, engage their interest and involve them in active participation.

Biology is taught as a separate subject from Year 7 and is extremely popular and successful. All students study OCR Biology (Gateway) 9-1 at GCSE and the subject has one of the highest uptakes at A level (typically 60 students at A Level with 3 sets per year), where they study OCR Biology A. Many of the pupils proceed to study science-related subjects at university. Results are consistently high with GCSE performance in 2024 at 87% Grade 9-7 and 77% A*-A at A level.

The Biology Department benefits from a purpose-built science block. These excellent facilities consist of four Biology laboratories, a large well-equipped modern Biology prep room and a connecting teacher’s work area. This pleasant working environment ensures effective working relationships between technicians and teachers. Currently, there are four subject specialist teachers, and two part-time Biology technicians. Our innovative, friendly and experienced department are eager to add fresh ideas and energy to the team.

The success of the department is strengthened by extensive, varied and highly valued practical provision, as well as the supra-curricular opportunities we offer. We encourage students to enter the RSB’s Biology Challenge as well as the Intermediate and Biology Olympiad in Years 12 and 13. We have had consistent success in this, and a number of students have successfully represented the UK team in the International Biology Olympiad competition including in 2024.

Suitable applicants will be confident teaching all levels of Biology (including A-level) and there may be an opportunity to teach other sciences (should this be desired). Applicants for the post should have proven ability as an effective team member and demonstrate good interpersonal skills.

The successful candidate can expect to be supported by both the Head of Department and the school pastoral system. We would welcome applications from ECTs as well as more experienced candidates. At Reading School, we are proud of our ability to train, support and encourage new staff with all staff regularly contributing as mentors for PGCE students.

What the school offers its staff

To conform with our Safer Recruitment process, all applicants must complete an application via our recruitment portal. Links to the portal can be found on our website:https://www.reading-school.co.uk/vacancies or visit https://mynewterm.com/jobs/136449/EDV-2024-RS-65985

If you have any queries regarding our current vacancies or the Safer Recruitment process, please contact: hr@reading-school.co.uk or by telephone: 0118 901 5600

Deadline for applications is Wednesday 15th January 2025.

Stand-alone CVs will not be considered for shortlisting.

Candidates should complete the personal statement section of the application form clearly detailing how their skills and experience meet the job description and person specification.

Application Forms will be reviewed on receipt. Early application is advised as we hold the right to close the application process early if a suitable applicant applies and is appointed.

Safeguarding guidelines look to references being obtained prior to interview. Please ensure any referees who you are happy for us to contact before interview are aware that they may be asked to provide a reference with a relatively short deadline.

Commitment to safeguarding

Reading School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Successful candidates must be willing to undergo an Enhanced DBS Disclosure and complete relevant pre-employment checks in line with our Safer Recruitment policy. Full details of our Safeguarding - Staff Recruitment Policy can be found on our website.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs are not accepted.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

About Reading School

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary
• School size: 1138 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report (opens in new tab)
• School website: Reading School website (opens in new tab)
• Email address: hr@reading-school.co.uk
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/reading-school (opens in new tab)

Combining a distinguished heritage, a positive reputation for outstanding academic achievement and a commitment to high standards of pastoral care, at Reading School we aspire to be a school with excellence at the heart of everything we do. We are situated 15 minutes walk from central Reading and close to transport links. Reading is a diverse place to live with arts, culture and heritage at the heart of the town.

We offer an exceptional all-round education enabling each student to realise his academic, cultural or sporting potential. A Selective Boys’ School, Reading School takes both day and boarding students. In 2022, the school was rated the Sunday Times South East State School of the Year and awarded 'outstanding' in the Boarding Ofsted Inspection in February 2020.

Arranging a visit to Reading School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email hr@reading-school.co.uk.

School location

Get a job alert when similar jobs are listed

Find more school jobs in Reading and Berkshire