Invicta Grammar School
Information for applicants for the position of Teacher of Biology
Applications are invited for the post of Teacher of Biologyat this oversubscribed girls’ grammar school.
The Science Department consists of thirteen teachers and four technical staff. There is a Lead Teacher of science and physics as well as Lead Teachers of biology, chemistry and health and social care.
There are nine laboratories, one smaller sixth form laboratory and a dedicated HSC room. All laboratories are furnished to a good standard. There is a greenhouse and access to the grounds for ecological studies. The school is very well provided with ICT equipment and this is regularly used in teaching. All laboratories have data projectors including interactive whiteboards and all students in years 7-11 have their own laptop. The use of ICT in science is well developed and forms an integral part of our teaching.
The school has a compressed curriculum where the students follow a 2 year key stage 3 course following the Wikid Science course.
In year 9 students follow the OCR Gateway science course with separate teachers for the biology, chemistry and physics modules. At the end of Year 9 they have a choice of which GCSE science route they wish to follow. They can either take the core and Additional science route completing the course at the end of Year10 or take the GCSE Triple Science route and finish their studies at the end of Year 11. At present most students favour the triple science option. All students enter for their first external exams in January of Year 10.
At A level we follow the progressive Salters Nuffield Advanced Biology syllabus. The subject has a strong take up at A level. Sets are of mixed ability and contain a variety of students, mostly home grown but also from other schools in the area. AS students may come from year 12 or 13. Each group is shared between two teachers and has ten one hour lessons per fortnight.
The successful candidate will join a dedicated and progressive school where the ability to develop and sustain positive relationships with staff and students and to retain a sense of humour are essential. The Science Department is a very supportive team; there are regular subject and team meetings where colleagues are encouraged to contribute and exchange ideas in a positive and supportive environment.