Teacher of Biology (0.4 FTE)

King Edward’s School is seeking to appoint a part-time Teacher of Biology to teach across the full age range from 1st September 2024. It is an opportunity to join a strong, enthusiastic, very supportive and friendly department in an exceptional school. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and no experience of working in the independent sector is required. The school teaches IGCSE and the International Baccalaureate Diploma; no experience of the IB is necessary as full training will be provided. A willingness to participate in the wider life of the School with pastoral care duties and help with co-curricular activities is expected. This is a fixed term contract for one year in the first instance. 

Science at King Edward’s School

King Edward’s has a long tradition of scientific excellence, having educated Nobel laureates such as Maurice Wilkins and Sir John Vane. Science remains at the heart of the academic life of the school today.

As all Sixth Former’s at King Edward’s study for the IB Diploma Programme, all students will, almost uniquely in the country, study at least one science subject throughout their time at school. Many elect to take two science subjects at IB. Biology, Chemistry and Physics are taken by the vast majority of pupils at IGCSE, and DT is one of the most popular option choices at GCSE.

Many pupils continue to study science subjects at university, with high numbers successfully applying for Engineering and Medicine, as well as Natural Sciences, Biomedical Sciences and other related subjects.

There is a strong spirit of collaboration in the experimental science faculty, which comprises Biology, Chemistry, Design Technology, Environmental Systems and Societies, Physics and Sport Science. 

The Biology Department

The Biology Department has the use of six well-equipped laboratories, four of which are exclusively used by the department. Two full-time, well-qualified technicians cater for practical needs. We have a study centre with a pond, which is well resourced with fieldwork equipment and is used by boys throughout the school. A residential field course is held at the end of Year 12 for all IB boys.

At all levels our aim is to provide a very practical course, with the boys doing experiments for themselves wherever possible (rather than watching demonstrations), helping them develop into excellent observational and inquisitive biologists. The Year 7 (Shell) boys follow our in-house combined science course, but from the Year 8 (Removes) onwards the three sciences are taught separately. At the end of Year 9 boys have the option of continuing with the three separate sciences or two sciences and a further non-science GCSE. All sciences follow the Edexcel IGCSE specifications. We have excellent academic track records with over 90% of the grades being 9-7. Biology is an immensely popular subject at IB with just under 50% of the year opting to study IB Biology at HL. The school cohort is very scientific with about approximately half of Year 13 students opting to read scientific based studies at University (with about 30 successful entries per year into Medicine and Dentistry). Over the last three years the mean number of boys achieving the top IB grade of Level 7 (equivalent to an A* at A level) is 49% and 91% Level 7 or 6. 

Beyond the classroom we try to engage students to develop a love of Biology through clubs for both younger and older year groups and enrichment activities undertaken throughout the year. The pupils also regularly compete in local and national competitions such as Biology Challenge, UoB Big Biology Quiz, MiSAC etc. The more ambitious students also enter the Intermediate Biology Olympiad Biology Olympiad in Year 12 and 13, respectively.

For the full job description and details of how to apply, please visit our website: https://kes.org.uk/about-us/work-with-us/