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Lead Teacher of Biology

Lead Teacher of Biology

London Academy of Excellence (LAE)

Newham

Job type:
Full Time, Permanent
Start date:
September 2015
Apply by:
17 April 2015

Job overview

LAE seeks an experienced graduate teacher of Biology to lead this subject.  The applicant appointed is likely to have a proven track record of effective teaching and he or she will have obtained excellent public examination results with his or her classes at previous schools. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate that he or she is an innovative academic leader and an excellent administrator, with not only a passion for the subject but also the ambition to build a successful department.

The Lead Teacher of Biology will be responsible for overseeing the teaching of Biology to sixthformers in Years 12 and 13. The department in September will consist of at least three other full time members of staff.  Biology is one of the most popular  subjects at LAE - this year 139 sixthformers are studying the subject at AS Level and 91 sixthformers are studying the subject at A2 Level, in the smaller Year 13 group. Last year, 21 sixthformers went on to study Biology related subjects at university.

A Biology education at the LAE should go beyond the classroom. The successful candidate will be innovative in terms of speakers and encourage sixthformers to join the Biology Society and encourage sixthformers with medical aspirations to join the Medical Society. It is expected that there will be candidates for the top universities, and the new Lead Teacher will ensure that there is a challenging extension programme in place to guide these candidates.

The new Lead Teacher will have the opportunity to take this department forward at an exciting time for the LAE. We seek a teacher committed to high academic standards but also one who can communicate to young people a passionate enthusiasm for the subject.

The School
The London Academy of Excellence is an ambitious, academically selective sixth form in the heart of Stratford, close to the Olympic Park and 5 minutes from Stratford Station, with its excellent links to all parts of London. LAE’s goal is to increase dramatically the number of successful applications made to top universities by young people from the Borough of Newham and other surrounding London boroughs. In January 2015 The Times named LAE as one of England’s “most sought after schools”: we are hugely oversubscribed with over 2,000 applications for 240 sixth former places in September 2015. In the same month the Prime Minister hailed LAE as an example of a school which  “provided the best start for every child regardless of where they were from”, through securing “incredible results”.

LAE was the first sixth form state school to open as part of the free school programme and represents the realisation of a vision to increase the quality of education and career opportunities available to communities in London’s Borough of Newham. The borough has the most ethnically diverse population in the UK, as well as some of the highest levels of deprivation. In August 2014, 72% of our sixth formers’ A2 grades were A*-B and 40% of our A2 sixth formers achieved AAB or higher, putting LAE top of the sixth form colleges’ league table. 5 of our sixth formers secured Oxford or Cambridge places and 77 are now studying at Russell Group universities. LAE is an established centre of academic excellence in East London.

LAE has strong links with six independent schools: Brighton College, Caterham School, Eton College, Forest School, Highgate School and City of London School.

A-levels recommended by the Russell Group universities (the “facilitating subjects”) are taught including: English Literature, Maths, Further Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, Geography, Spanish and French; as well as Psychology, Religious Studies, Economics, Mandarin, and the Extended Project Qualification. The whole individual is developed through extra- and co-curricular activities such as sport and community service. We are preparing our sixthformers for life in modern Britain: all staff are required to actively promote fundamental British values in their interactions with sixthformers.

There are 420 sixth formers in Years 12 and 13. LAE is selective, requiring at least five A grades in GCSE (including at least B grades in English Language and Maths), and A or higher grades in the subjects being continued from GCSE into AS.

The teachers have excellent subject knowledge and are dedicated and hard working. They work alongside dedicated and skilful business, administrative and technical staff. The sixth formers are inquisitive, enthusiastic and ambitious.  LAE is a vibrant, exciting and extremely rewarding place to work. The successful candidate would be joining at an exciting time as we look to strengthen our establish reputation for academic excellence and co-curricular opportunity.

Child Protection
All members of staff must comply with LAE’s Safeguarding & Welfare Policy.  If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety and welfare of our sixthformers, these concerns must be reported immediately in accordance with the policy.

The London Academy of Excellence is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Applications should be submitted to applications@excellencelondon.ac.uk by Friday 17 April at 9am.

Please submit a covering letter of no more than one side of A4 together with a CV and the LAE Application Form, available on the LAE website.  Only applications including the LAE Application Form will be considered. Applications will be considered as they arrive.

If you have questions about the role or the application process, please contact Tom Sawbridge, the Assistant Head (Staff) at the email address above, and he would be pleased to answer any questions you have.

Attached documents

About London Academy of Excellence (LAE)

“An inspirational school”

LAE is one of the highest-performing sixth form colleges in the United Kingdom. Our average A level grade is an A* and our ALPS 1 value-added score places us in the top 1% of schools nationally for progress. LAE consistently secures top university destinations for all students. The school is particularly proud of its success helping students from disadvantaged backgrounds to gain places at the finest universities in the UK and around the world. Over 1,200 of our alumni have progressed to a Russell Group university and over 120 to Oxford or Cambridge.

However, academic success if only one aspect of life at LAE. Our links with partner schools, employers and universities are combined with a rich and varied co-curricular offer that encompasses sport, music, arts, volunteering and careers experience. The provision is truly unique and sets LAE apart as an inspirational school.

Successful candidates will be joining an diverse, inclusive, and ambitious school located in the heart of Stratford, close to the Olympic Park and just two minutes from Stratford Station (zone 2/3), with excellent links to all parts of London.

LAE can offer you:

· The opportunity to gain experience of teaching and working with highly motivated students in one of the country’s leading sixth form schools.

· An intellectually stimulating working environment characterised by a culture of professional trust and collegiate working that promotes autonomy, innovation, and rigour.

· Access to an outstanding package of regular, high-quality continuous professional development and support.

· A modern and positive learning environment minutes from the Olympic Park and Stratford Station.

· A package of employee benefits including access to a Cycle Scheme, Tech Scheme, and discounted local gym memberships.

LAE is a diverse and inclusive school, committed to supporting staff and students to be themselves and succeed on merit.

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Applications closed