HEAD OF BIOLOGY

The Role

We are looking for a passionate, talented and rigorous practitioner to join our dedicated team as we continue on our exciting journey with our new Sixth Form provision.
The successful Head of Biology will have the exciting and unique opportunity to shape a KS3, KS4 and a new KS5 curriculum, which is bespoke, challenging and fit for the needs of 21st century life.
Our Head of Biology will be an inspirational teacher with a proven track record of leading students to achieve outstanding results, who embraces creativity, innovation and is always looking for the very best practice in teaching. They will share the School's vision and the belief that all young people can achieve at high levels. They will adore all areas of Science and be passionate in revealing its importance to all learners, regardless of ability and background.

Salary

£40k - £60k

How to Apply

Please email hr@hoevalleyschool.org expressing your interest in the role, ask to arrange a visit to the site, or ask any further questions you may have.

Core Responsibilities (In Addition to Teachers' Standards)

Leading Teaching and Learning

To teach all Sciences at KS3 and 4 within the age range 11-16
To teach Biology at KS5
To monitor the quality of teaching and learning of teachers within the faculty in partnership with the Head of Faculty.
To design and monitor the delivery of the Biology curriculum for Science in the School in terms of long, medium and short term planning
In partnership with the Head of Faculty, to ensure that all students are making good or outstanding progress in Biology and that teaching and learning of all disciplines across the School is of a high quality
To contribute to CPD across the School and share best practice via coaching, sharing planning and resources and following an 'open door' teaching policy
To ensure Science has a high profile across the School through offering vibrant and exciting learning opportunities
To ensure that resources are organised and available to promote a purposeful environment for teaching and learning to take place, through a mix of traditional teaching techniques, integrating ICT where appropriate and risk-taking and innovative pedagogy.
Where appropriate, to extend the curriculum through relevant trips, organising exciting visits from relevant speakers and visitors and leading enrichment programmes
To develop aspects of project led learning, where appropriate, which links to the world of work, further and higher education, primary school liaison or the local community
To deploy other adults effectively within the faculty and in the classroom, involving them, where appropriate, in the planning and management of student learning

Leading Progress and Attainment

To ensure assessment, feedback and monitoring is SMART, accurate and clearly moves students’ learning on across all teachers within the faculty
To standardise marking with colleagues both within the School and with partner schools
If appropriate, to hold the team to account via line management meetings, faculty meetings and by following the School’s Performance Management policy
To rigorously analyse student data to inform planning and intervention programmes
To lead and attend internal and external meetings as required
To feedback to students and parents / carers in line with the School policy

Leading Behaviour and Safety

To collaborate closely with parents to ensure that they are aware of their child's progress, engaged in their development and in supporting them in their vision for the future
To ensure the absolute safety of all students on and off site
To model and enforce excellent standards of behaviour within and beyond the faculty
To monitor students’ achievement, attendance, uniform, punctuality and behaviour and to respond promptly to issues in line with the school’s policies

Leading School Improvement

To support the School’s marketing and recruitment plan through attending events, contributing to marketing materials and via frequent high quality interactions with feeder primary schools
To embody the School’s values both on and off site
To contribute to the School’s Development Plan (SDP) and to write specific action plans for relevant aspects of the SDP, with support of the Head of Faculty
In collaboration with the Head of Faculty, to monitor allocated budgets and ensure value for money at all times
To coach and mentor colleagues as appropriate

Person Specification

Essential	Desirable	Assessment Criteria
QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
A bachelor's degree at a minimum of 2.1 or equivalent in Biology or a Science related discipline	Evidence of other relevant CPD qualifications	Application form
Qualified teacher status through a PGCE, GTP or other international equivalent.		Application form
Science related discipline at A-level standard or equivalent		Application form
EXPERIENCE
Experience teaching Science and Biology from the national curriculum at GCSE and A level		Application form & interview
Experience of designing and delivering exciting, challenging and personalised lessons		Application form, interview & reference
Evidence of holding high aspirations for young people		Application form & interview
Evidence of delivering excellent outcomes for students		Application form, interview & reference
Experience of giving high quality formative and summative feedback		Application form, interview & reference
SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES
Alignment with HVS CIRCLE Values: C - Courtesy Model the calm behaviour expected of others in terms of consideration, professionalism, trust and respect I - Integrity Fair and honest, trustworthy, committed to earning success through hard work R - Resilience Not giving up when times are tough, demonstrating endurance C - Community A strong sense of responsibility to the community to improve the quality of the local environment for its residents L - Leadership Showing leadership in thought and action, being open to new ideas and overcoming adversity to achieve success; communicating effectively E - Enthusiasm A positive attitude towards life, passion, curiosity and a lifelong love of learning		Application form, interview & reference
Excellent organisation skills with the ability to multi-task and effectively prioritise		Application form, interview & reference
Strong attention to detail where only the best is good enough		Application form, interview & reference
Excellent interpersonal skills with strong levels of numeracy and written and oral communication		Application form, interview & reference
Able to adapt to find practical solutions to problems		Application form & interview
Ability to remain calm, good-humoured and strategic in challenging contexts		Application form & interview
Commitment to the ethos of the School		Application form & interview
SAFEGUARDING
Two satisfactory written references including from current/most recent employer		Application form & reference
A satisfactory enhanced DBS check		DBS process

The School

"Hoe Valley School is an inspiring environment at the heart of its community where every student's experience is personalised. Our students will learn to think independently, pursue their ambitions and achieve to their highest potential."

Hoe Valley School is:

An oversubscribed secondary school that opened in September 2015 to serve the local community of South Woking
Rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted in March 2024
Delivering innovative and exciting lessons to Years 7 - 13
Committed to ensuring our students leave us with excellent academic outcomes, the skills to be 'work-ready' and the traits of excellent global citizens
Following the National Curriculum, where Maths and English are taught everyday
A Google School with ICT fully embedded in all curriculum areas
Continuing to build a STEAM-focussed academic Sixth Form, which opened September 2023
Committed to learning which is relevant with links to the 'real world' of business, higher education and the local community
In a state of the art, new School completed in September 2018 on Egley Road, Woking
Committed to supporting our staff to have a good work/life balance by offering longer school holidays, bespoke CPD programmes, minimising paperwork and meetings, and ultimately by trusting our staff to deliver excellent outcomes