Teacher of Biology

TEACHER OF BIOLOGY

Dollar Academy is seeking to recruit a permanent, full-time, enthusiastic and suitably qualified teacher of Biology beginning in August 2017.

This post offers the opportunity to join a successful and dynamic department at this prestigious 5 – 18 HMC school of 1200 pupils. Dollar Academy is set in a beautiful central location, about 40 minutes north of Edinburgh.

The successful applicant will have a passion for Biology and will be expected to stimulate similar interest in, and enjoyment of, the subject in their pupils. The staff within this department have an array of specialties and consequently there is enthusiasm for all aspects of the subject; the successful applicant will contribute to this enthusiasm and desire to promote Biology within the school.

The Biology Department consists of four full-size laboratories and a smaller one designated for biotechnology. All laboratories are well equipped with data projectors, computing and internet access facilities for pupils and all the practical equipment necessary for the delivery of courses. The present teaching team comprises six full-time teachers and a highly effective and qualified biology technician.

The department is seeking to appoint a qualified teacher who can teach all levels from S2 Biology up to Advanced Higher. In 2017 the department will offer National 5 Biology in S3 and S4, the new CfE Higher qualifications in Biology and Human Biology in S5 and the new CfE Advanced Higher in S6. The successful applicant will be expected to contribute to the ongoing development of these courses. Other teaching commitments within the department might include teaching general science to S1 and Junior School pupils (P6 and P7). The department also offers Form VI modules in Human Biology, Biotechnology and Psychology, and the ability to teach Psychology would be useful.

The Biology Department at Dollar is a very busy place to work with high numbers of pupils taking the subject at all levels. Teachers are expected to promote an ethos of achievement and success, meeting the needs of all pupils, including high achievers and the less able. There is a strong ethos of teamwork within the department and the successful applicant will be expected to work effectively as part of this friendly and well-established team.

Academic performance in national examinations is consistently high and the successful applicant will have high expectations of their pupils and encourage all pupils to fulfil their potential. This will be underpinned with exemplary teaching skills and excellent subject knowledge.

To enhance the work of the department and to foster an interest in the natural world, the department runs numerous trips throughout the year, some of which are residential. The Isle of May, Kingsbarns beach, Loch Lomond, Millport Marine Field Centre and Costa Rica all feature regularly and the successful applicant would be expected to involve themselves in such trips. In addition to this, staff are involved in the Crest Award Scheme, Biology Olympiad and Nuffield scholarships, all of which help enrich the experience that pupils studying within the department receive.

The Academy has a rich co-curricular programme in which all members of staff are expected to participate. The ability to coach a team in one of the school’s major sports, or offer an activity, would be particularly useful.

The salary for the post will be in accordance with the SNCT main grade scales with the Dollar enhancement of 10% in addition. It should be noted that the Chartered Teachers pay scale does not apply to teachers employed by the Academy.

Candidates should either be registered with the GTC Scotland, or eligible for registration.

Applicants must complete the Academy’s Teaching Staff Application Form which can be downloaded from the Academy’s website http://www.dollaracademy.org.uk/vacancies and provide a covering letter. A CV is optional.

These should be emailed to rector@dollaracademy.org.uk

The closing date is noon on Friday 10 March 2017.

All appointments are subject to receipt of a satisfactory PVG Scheme Record or Scheme Record Update from Disclosure Scotland.

Contact: 01259 742511 or rector@dollaracademy.org.uk