Microbiology Manager

Roles and responsibilities

• Department Leadership: Lead and manage the biology department, providing strategic direction and ensuring the department runs efficiently. Support and mentor colleagues, fostering a collaborative, supportive working environment.
• Curriculum Development: Design and develop the biology curriculum in line with national standards, integrating practical and theoretical components. Ensure that the curriculum is challenging, engaging, and inclusive for all students.
• Teaching: Teach high-quality biology lessons, particularly to senior students (e.g., A-Level, IB), and ensure that lessons are engaging, accessible, and support the development of critical scientific thinking.
• Assessment and Monitoring: Oversee the assessment process within the department, ensuring that all students are regularly assessed and provided with feedback. Use assessment data to track progress and identify areas for improvement.
• Team Management: Lead and mentor a team of biology teachers, conducting departmental meetings, setting goals, and encouraging professional development. Support teachers in planning, teaching, and reflecting on their practice.
• Resource Management: Manage and allocate resources for the biology department, including laboratory equipment, teaching materials, and digital resources. Ensure that the department is well-equipped for teaching and practical work.
• Health and Safety: Ensure that all science experiments and practical lessons follow safety protocols. Carry out risk assessments for practical work, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Extracurricular Activities: Organize and lead extracurricular activities related to biology, such as science clubs, field trips, biology competitions, and outreach programs.
• Parental Communication: Communicate effectively with parents about students' progress in biology. Attend parent-teacher meetings and provide guidance on how parents can support their child’s learning.
• Collaboration with Other Departments: Work closely with other subject heads, especially in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), to ensure cross-curricular connections are made and that students see the relevance of biology in different contexts.
• Professional Development: Stay up to date with developments in biology, science teaching methods, and educational research. Engage in professional development opportunities and share new ideas with the department.

Desired candidate profile

• In-depth Knowledge of Biology: A strong and up-to-date understanding of biology principles, theories, and practical applications. Knowledge of both biological sciences and scientific inquiry methods.
• Curriculum Design and Development: Ability to design, implement, and continuously improve a high-quality biology curriculum. Knowledge of national and international curricula (GCSE, A-Level, IB, etc.) and experience adapting materials for different student needs.
• Pedagogical Expertise: Ability to teach biology effectively to students of varying abilities. Expertise in using innovative teaching methods to explain complex biological concepts and ensuring student engagement.
• Assessment and Feedback: Competence in designing and managing formative and summative assessments that measure student understanding of biology concepts. Provide timely and constructive feedback to support student improvement.
• Leadership and Team Management: Strong leadership abilities, including the ability to mentor, support, and motivate a team of biology teachers. Experience organizing team meetings, department planning, and professional development.
• Practical and Laboratory Skills: Knowledge of laboratory safety protocols and the ability to manage practical experiments and investigations in the biology curriculum. Ensuring all safety standards are met and students are equipped with the necessary skills for handling laboratory work.
• Use of Technology: Proficiency in using digital tools and resources to enhance biology teaching. Familiarity with educational technologies such as virtual labs, interactive simulations, and data analysis software.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Ability to analyze student performance data to identify areas for improvement and implement strategies that raise achievement levels. Monitoring individual student progress and adjusting teaching accordingly.
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Encouraging students to engage in scientific inquiry, develop hypotheses, and apply critical thinking to biological problems. Ability to foster problem-solving skills both in and out of the classroom.