Bolton School Boys' Division - Teacher of Biology

Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic Teacher of Biology to join our large, well-resourced Science department on a permanent basis.

Detail

Boys’ Senior School (11-18 Years)

Required for September 2025

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic Teacher of Biology to join our large, well-resourced Science department on a permanent basis. The successful applicant will be a strong classroom practitioner who is able to infuse others with a love for Biology and to inspire the outstandingly able boys as well as to nurture those far less confident in their ability. Contribution to the extra-curricular life of the school is essential, particularly a willingness to engage in sports, which are a significant aspect of school life.

With some 2,500 pupils, Bolton School is a large, thriving, academically selective day school. It is situated a mile or so from the town centre in a stunning 32-acre campus and is within easy reach of some of the nation’s finest cities and countryside.

In Autumn 2021, significant changes were made to the leadership structure of the School Foundation, investing the newly created position of Head of Foundation with overall responsibility. Within the new structure, there are three sections: Girls’ Division, Boys’ Division and Primary Division. A Head of each Division and the Head of Foundation, together with the Clerk and Treasurer, are the Foundation’s Senior Officers; they are directly accountable to the Governors.

Two adjoining and similar buildings, now attached by a state-of-the art Sixth Form Centre, house the Boys’ and Girls’ Senior Schools, each of which provides a traditional academic education from the age of 11 years. The Primary Division includes separate Junior Schools for boys and girls from the age of 7 and a co-educational Infant School and Nursery.

Academic results at GCSE and A Level consistently place Bolton School amongst the top schools in the North of England and often within the top 100 nationally. The School is also renowned for its provision of a wide range of enrichment activities, which take place both during and after the school day. It serves a wide area of the North West, collecting pupils on over 20 coach routes, and provides fee assistance to a substantial proportion of the student body - one in five Senior School pupils currently receives a bursary.

The vast majority of students progress to their first choice university and the School provides a regular supply of Sixth Formers to highly competitive courses and universities. Whilst the academic work of the two senior schools is largely separate, there are occasionally joint Sixth Form classes and there is considerable collaboration in extra-curricular activities.

Entry to the Junior and Senior Schools is by competitive examination and interview. Interest in the School remains robust and numbers on the school roll have increased in recent years.

Since 2022, the school has formalised its approach to evidence-based practice with the formation of the Centre for Educational Research and Innovation (CERI). The Centre facilitates both research engagement as well as supporting action research.

Our aim is to ensure Bolton School is at the forefront of educational and pedagogical development. The CERI has a pivotal role in working alongside teachers to investigate the impact of innovation in the classroom. Foundation wide, we are well equipped to test emerging theory and to understand what will give the greatest benefit to students.

The Centre works with staff across our Primary and Senior Schools but also looks beyond to collaborate with external institutions, both universities and other schools seeking to share and develop knowledge and understanding of what helps children and young people to learn.

Biology is taught in purpose-built laboratories by subject specialists as separate science lessons to Chemistry and Physics. Currently, the vast majority of boys study Biology as a separate GCSE (AQA 8461) with two 90-minute exams to assess the course. Some students may follow the Science (Trilogy) route with two 60-minute exams providing the assessment at the end of Year 11.

Biology is a popular subject with a large number of Sixth Form boys regularly opting to study Biology (AQA) at A level, no doubt reflecting the achievement of boys at A-level, which is extremely high (74% A*- B on average over the last five years)

There are three part-time and three full-time biology teachers, alongside one full-time and one part-time technician, who contribute to a friendly, vibrant and productive atmosphere within a flourishing department. The department has five well-appointed laboratories, and there is also a large staff departmental base which has computers for each member of staff, together with extensive electronic resources to support teaching and learning. A large generously stocked preparation room and a greenhouse support the extensive practical work undertaken within each year group.

For further details and to apply online for the position please visit the school website.

Closing date for applications: Friday 17 January 2025 at 12.00 noon

Interviews will be held on Monday 27 January 2025

A generous level of PPA is provided which allows members of staff, as valued professionals, to manage their time appropriately and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace to reflect the diversity of our pupils and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and to join Bolton School. As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all sections of the community and are committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees. We do not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.

Bolton School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced Criminal Records Check for Regulated Activity.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Documents

• Teacher of Biology - Job Details
• Bolton School Information Pack

Further Information

https://bit.ly/4gb4Fdb