Job Description

Job Summary

Brighton College is seeking to appoint a Head of Biology to start in late April 2026.

The Department

The Biology department is part of one of the country's leading Science departments in terms of results, facilities and educational innovation. Since January 2020 the department has been based in Brighton's new 55 million School of Science and Sport. Amongst a host of other world-class facilities, the building includes six dedicated biology laboratory spaces, ample dynamic storage and technical workspace for staff. The department has a well-resourced preparation room with its own dedicated technician.


The team consists of 10 members of staff (including the Head of Department, and a Deputy) from a range of diverse backgrounds. The subject is taught as a separate science at KS3, and all pupils study all three sciences at GCSE, with the majority taking the separate sciences pathway for which they achieve very strong results at A-Level. At present we follow the AQA syllabus for both GCSE and A-Level. Results in recent years have been excellent, with pupils achieving Grade 9s at 68% and 96% A-B at A-Level, with 96% Grades 8-9 at GCSE and 86% A-A at A-Level in August 2025.


The department also has a comprehensive co-curricular offering. Pupils have secured 16 Oxbridge offers in biology related course in the past two years. Departmental activities and standards are high, and we pride ourselves in the richness and workings of the universe. By taking pupils beyond the constraints of the syllabus, the department aims to develop their problem solving and analytical skills in preparation for the rigorous undergraduate study. In recent years, pupils have achieved an abundance of awards in the British Biology Olympiad competitions.


The department also offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities such as weekly Science Club, Med Soc and an annual trip to Wakehurst Place.

Role Specification

The successful candidate will be responsible for the leadership, development and delivery of all aspects of the Biology department, as well as ensuring the highest standards of teaching and learning. They will lead a team of enthusiastic and highly motivated teachers in their progress and career development.


They will be an outstanding classroom practitioner who can inspire others by the passion they have, communicate their love of Biology, and translate this into a curriculum which instils creativity, diversity and challenge amongst all pupils. They will devise and oversee the department's extension programme: this will include supporting pupils with applications to leading universities (including Oxford and Cambridge).


Additionally, all teachers at Brighton College are expected to contribute to the school's pastoral system, generally as a tutor in one of our 16 houses (of which six are boarding houses and ten are day).


There is also an expectation that all teachers will contribute to the cocurricular 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 supercurricular Masterclass programme; this is a series of sessions focusing 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.

Category

Senior School Teaching


(Senior School Teaching)

Vacancy Type

Permanent/Full Time

Salary

Brighton College has its own pay scale, above that of the maintained sector. There is also an excellent and flexible benefits package, the contents of which can be controlled by individual teachers themselves. Generous fee remission is also available for dependent children in either the Prep School or College, subject to a place being offered. All of our teachers are enrolled into the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS).