Brighton College is seeking to appoint a Teacher of Biology, to start in late August 2025.
THE DEPARTMENT
The department consists of 9 members of teaching staff and one full-time technician. The current Head of Department is also the Head of University Medical Admissions, and another colleague hold the role as Deputy Head of Department. Staff have specialisms ranging from plant circadian rhythms to immunology and physiotherapy, whilst one is a qualified doctor. The subject is taught to all pupils in Years 7 to 11, with GCSE material taught from Year 9 when we commence the Edexcel 9-1 syllabus. We currently have 100 pupils studying the OCR Biology A-Level specification in the Sixth Form.
Public examination results are consistently outstanding. In 2024, 93% of pupils taking biology GCSE achieved a grade 8 or 9 at GCSE (72% 9) and 98% A*-B at A Level (62% A*). The department also has a very comprehensive support programme for candidates applying to Oxbridge and medicine, with much recent success in this area. Last year 7 candidates went to Cambridge for medicine or biological natural sciences.
The department has exclusive use of six very new laboratories and a preparation room on the top floor of the recently-opened School of Science and Sport. The practical emphasis to teaching in the department is further supported by a dedicated glasshouse classroom and an experimental space on the roof of the building. We have a range of activities to explore biology beyond the syllabus, including regular extension activities, external speakers, excellent links to local medical schools and universities, sixth form fieldwork days, and successful participation in national Biology competitions and events.
ROLE SPECIFICATION
The successful candidate will be expected to be capable of teaching Biology across the curriculum, from Year 7 to A-level. An ability to contribute towards the department’s extension programme, including a willingness to support pupils with applications to leading universities (including Oxford and Cambridge), will be a distinct advantage.
All teachers within the department are expected to assist in the development of schemes of work, as well as in the creation of teaching resources and the compilation of content for our Microsoft OneNote Notebooks and SharePoint.
Additionally, all teachers at Brighton College are expected to contribute to the school’s pastoral system, generally as a tutor in one of our 15 houses (of which six are boarding houses and nine are day). There is also an expectation that all teachers will contribute to the co-curricular life of the school, through the extensive Games programme, and/or through the leadership of one of almost 100 school societies. Candidates are encouraged to point to interests and enthusiasms as part of their application.
All staff have the opportunity to contribute to our super-curricular Masterclass programme; this a is a series of sessions focussing on an area of personal academic or cultural interest. These have included subjects such as Magical Realism, Cuisine and Culture and Great Debates in History.
All teachers joining Brighton will have the benefit of guidance by an experienced mentor, whose role it will be to provide support during their probationary period. Thereafter, all teachers are expected and supported to participate in continuous professional development, throughout their time at the College.