Overview
The Governors wish to appoint an excellent Head of Biology. This post should appeal both to candidates seeking their first leadership post, as well as to more experienced candidates already in a leadership role, looking to develop in an outstanding school, which is totally committed to Biology and Science. This is a wonderful opportunity for someone wishing to join an outstanding department and a highly successful and forward‑thinking school. Ideally, applicants would be able to teach at least one other Science to GCSE level and be able to teach up to A Level Biology. We simply want the best candidate, therefore, we would strongly encourage teachers at all levels of experience to consider this post. The successful candidate will be an outstanding teacher and will build on the existing strengths of our Biology department, to ensure that achievement, teaching, the curriculum and leadership and management, all remain first‑class, at each Key Stage. In addition, we would like the successful candidate to continue to develop the extra‑curricular opportunities for all students to develop their gifts and talents. We are a school that highly values Biology and the successful candidate will have unstinting support to further develop our exceptional provision, both within the classroom and more widely.
Key Performance Highlights
* 74% of GCSE Biology students achieved Grade 7+ in 2025, with 100% getting at least a 5.
* Part of a successful Science department where 67% of all pupils achieved at least 2 grade 5's over the last 4 years.
* 81% A-C in A Level Biology in 2025
* 36% of pupils achieved an A or A over the last 4 years.
* Over 75% of GCSE Physics pupils achieved a Grade 7 or higher across the last 4 years, with 100% at Grade 5+.
* 67% of pupils achieved at least 2 Grade 5's in Science GCSE's over the last 4 years, compared with 47% nationally.
* GCSE Science has a Value Added score consistently ranked in the top 5 schools in the North East.
* 33% of A Level Physics students achieved an A or A over the last 4 years, with 58% A-B — well above the national average.
Responsibilities
* Deliver and develop a world‑class biology curriculum across all Key Stages.
* Provide leadership, motivation and training for the biology department staff.
* Support teachers to design programmes, including the teaching of other science subjects.
* Develop extra‑curricular opportunities for students to nurture their gifts and talents.
* Ensure achievement and teaching standards remain first‑class.
* Promote the school's distinctive ethos and a holistic education for all students.
Qualifications and Expectations
* A clear commitment to nurturing and promoting the school's distinctive ethos.
* A passion for providing the best possible holistic education for all students.
* A commitment to maximising achievement through excellence in teaching and learning.
* An excellent track record as a classroom teacher.
* The ability to promote a love of learning science in our students.
What St Mary's Offers
* St Mary's is a great place to work and provides excellent job satisfaction within a very supportive environment.
* We pride ourselves on ensuring excellent support and development for leaders at all levels.
* There are many professional development opportunities within the school, the Trust and more widely.
* The school is rated Outstanding by the Diocese and Ofsted and has outstanding facilities, including a new building opened in 2011.
* We joined the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust in June 2020, and are one of the most over‑subscribed schools in the North‑East.
* The roll has grown from around 1100 to over 1450 by September 2026, with 5‑year groups of around 240.
* The Sixth Form currently has approx. 300 students and has seen significant growth in recent years as most students choose to stay with us for their post‑16 education.
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