Head of Biology

Candidate Information

Ivybridge Community College

Dear Candidate

Head of Biology

Further to your enquiry, I am delighted that you have requested additional information

regarding the full time, permanent position of Head of Biology at Ivybridge Community

College.

We are a friendly and supportive College, and committed to providing an excellent

education for ages 11-18. Inherent in everything we do is a culture of high expectation and

aspirations. Students are encouraged to develop a love of learning, to think for themselves

and to maximise their full potential.

The successful candidate will gain a wealth of experience from working across the College,

whilst receiving support and guidance from the Leadership Team.

I look forward to receiving your completed application.

Yours sincerely

Rachel Hutchinson Principal

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Ivybridge Community College

April 2021 Rachel Hutchinson

Principal

The Post

This is an excellent opportunity for someone to lead a dedicated department at a time of

continuing curriculum and educational change. It offers the successful candidate the

chance to have a positive input into these developments and the range of experiences

available in the department provides an excellent framework within which to further

develop their teaching skills.

We are looking to appoint a person with energy, enthusiasm, adaptability and a keen

commitment to the subject and the students.

The Biology Department

The Biology team is comprised of a mix of staff of varying levels of experience, all of whom

are highly knowledgeable and have a great passion for their subject. At its heart is

excellent Teaching and Learning, delivered through inspirational lessons. The appointed

person will be expected to take a full and active part in the continuing development of the

Biology curriculum and pedagogy. The Biology team is a strong collaborative team, with

teachers taking on responsibilities for tasks required to develop the curriculum, as directed

by the Head of Biology.

The Science Team

Our Science Leadership Team is composed of the Director of Science, Mrs Denise Smith,

three Heads of Subject, including the Head of Biology, three Assistant Team Leaders, an

Applied Science course leader and a Science Lead Practitioner. We currently have twenty-

three teaching staff in total. We also have a knowledgeable, friendly and efficient team of

seven Science Technicians and a highly organised and proactive Science Resource

Assistant.

As Head of Biology, you will work with the Director of Science, the Head of Chemistry, the

Head of Physics and the Science Lead Practitioner on the monitoring of the work of the

department and the data produced from assessments, to identify foci for development and

implement necessary changes.

Continuing Professional Learning

As a Teaching School, there are frequent and varied opportunities for Continuing

Professional Learning. In addition to the CPL provided in College, members of the Science

team regularly attend an impressive variety of external courses and have had an excellent

record of career progression over the years.

Two members of our team were involved in some research with the Educational

Endowment Foundation and the Research Schools Network on Memory Retention in

Science and have since trained the whole College staff on the use of the ‘Self-testing

Toolkit’ to improve our students’ memories of key knowledge.

Facilities

The department has twenty-one well-equipped laboratories and a Sixth Form Projects

Room. Each laboratory is equipped with a data projector, interactive whiteboard and class

sets of a good range of frequently used apparatus items, to facilitate effective practical

and investigation work. Our Science Technicians are based in four Prep Rooms.

The provision for students also includes a Science Computer Room with a suite of

twenty-six full PCs, a laptop trolley and a tablet trolley, an Optics Room, a wildlife pond and

a greenhouse.

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The Curriculum

Key Stage 3

We have designed our own Science curriculum, based on the National Curriculum, which

is knowledge-based, with clear skills elements built into the Schemes of Work. Key Stage 3

students study Science for six hours per fortnight.

Key Stage 4

We work on the strong belief that every child matters, so offer a variety of courses to cater

to our students’ individual needs. At Key Stage 4, we offer AQA Entry Level Science, which

we co-teach with GCSE Combined Science, AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy and

Separate Sciences. Our Entry Level and Combined Science students have nine hours per

fortnight on their timetable for Science and our Separate Science students have fourteen

hours per fortnight. The vast majority of lessons at Key Stage 4 are taught by specialist

teachers.

Key Stage 5

At Key Stage 5, we offer OCR A Level Biology, Salters (OCR) A Level Chemistry, OCR

A Level Physics and the AQA Level 3 Certificate in Applied Science. Uptake on all courses,

especially Biology, is increasing rapidly year by year and this year’s Year 12 cohort has four

classes, with a total of 68 students. All subjects at Key Stage 5 are taught by specialist

teachers.

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Introduction

This Job Description outlines the purpose and key tasks required to indicate the level of

responsibility. It is not a comprehensive or exclusive list and duties/specific tasks may be varied

from time to time, which do not change the general character of the job or the level of

responsibility entailed. This will allow flexibility for the College to respond to changing priorities

and also support and enhance individual professional development.

Terms and conditions for staff employed on teaching contracts are detailed in the current

School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions document.

Purpose

Under the direction of the Director of Science, the purpose of your additional responsibility as

Head of Biology, beyond that of a classroom teacher, is to lead the continued delivery of the

highest possible quality of Teaching and Learning in your curriculum / student performance /

cross curricular area.

Responsibilities for this Post

Deputise for the Director of Science in his/her absence.

Play a significant part in the leadership, support and organisation of the team in their

fulfilling of their responsibilities as teachers.

Assess the performance and professional development needs of members of your team

providing them with feedback, guidance and support within the context of the College’s

Appraisal Policy.

Share with the Director of Science the making and implementing of appropriate plans

based on an annual evaluation of Teaching and Learning in your curriculum/student/

performance/cross curricular area.

Ensure the effective management of part of the budget, resources, equipment and rooms

of your curriculum/student performance/cross curricular area.

Contribute towards our Science Enrichment Programme.

Work with the Senior Technician in the management of resources.

Liaise closely with the Director of Science, the Head of Physics and the Head of Chemistry.

Use regular, measurable and significant assessments to monitor progress and set targets.

Work in collaboration with WeST schools supporting our values and vision, sharing expertise

and supporting colleagues within the family of WeST Schools.

Key Tasks

Provide professional leadership, ensuring that the College meets its statutory and non-

statutory duties for all aspects of Biology and promotes the subject to all our stakeholders.

To lead the development of an area across the whole department, under the direction of

the Director of Science.

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JOB

DESCRIPTION

Post: Head of Biology

Accountable to: Director of Science

Salary: MPS/UPS + TLR1a

Hours: Full Time

Specific Tasks

To take responsibility for Health and Safety and Risk Assessment within Biology, in

particular, by overseeing and developing good practice. To promote good practice in the use of ICT within Biology. To be responsible for their own subject/subject components at all levels, ensuring that

there are written Schemes of Work and appropriate assessment tools, which are

regularly reviewed. To lead the induction of new staff in their subject area and contribute to the mentoring

of associate (trainee) teachers, as appropriate.

This is not an exhaustive list and the Head of Biology will be expected to respond to changing

priorities.

How to Apply

All applications for employment should be made by completing the Westcountry Schools

Trust application form which can be found below.

Please indicate clearly the main details of your Post-16 and Higher Education qualifications as

well as all relevant experiences which make you suitable for this position.

If you wish to send your application by email please send it to hr@ivybridge.devon.sch.uk

The closing date for completed applications to be received is 9am on Monday 26 April 2021.

Ivybridge Community College

Harford Road

Ivybridge

Devon

PL21 0JA

Tel: 01752 691000

www.ivybridge.devon.sch.uk

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