Temporary Biology Teacher

Temporary Full-Time / Part-Time Biology Teacher: Senior School

• Start date: 20 April 2026, expected to be one term only

• Salary: Culford has its own pay scale. Salary will also be dependent on qualifications and experience

• Application deadline: Friday 10 April 2026

• Early applications are encouraged and the School reserves the right to interview before the closing date in order to secure the right appointment

• Interviews: Thursday 16 / Friday 17 April 2026

Overview of the Role

We are looking to appoint an innovative and dynamic Biology Teacher, to teach Biology from Fourth Form (Year Nine) to A level. The appointment is temporary and is expected to end on Thursday 2 July 2026. While we are looking for a full-time appointment, we are also happy to consider part-time. The role of tutor and contribution to Saturday mornings is also negotiable for this temporary position. 

Details of the Role

Pupils study the AQA Biology GCSE syllabus, with some elements of the course beginning in Fourth Form (Year 9). We offer both the double-award and separate science routes through GCSE. Numbers at A level are healthy, with strong outcomes and enthusiastic teaching at GCSE leading to a small, keen cohort at A level. 

The Biology Department has dedicated classrooms in our Science block, which is close to the school’s multi-purpose library, a space that is used extensively by pupils.  

All classrooms in Senior School have interactive white boards with full wireless internet access for all pupils. All pupils have laptops and blended learning using various digital media is a strong feature of what we do. Culford uses iSAMS and the Google Suite of Applications, including Google Classroom, Google Meet, Google Drive and Google Sheets and a range of educationally-approved AI platforms such as Magic School and UpLearn. Whilst experience in the use of these products would be advantageous, full training will be given as necessary to the successful candidate. 

Academic lessons are taught from Monday to Friday allowing time on Saturday mornings for our ACE Programme (Academic and Co-Curricular Enrichment). In the life of our busy boarding school, teachers are currently expected to deliver enrichment activities on approximately 50% of Saturday mornings. 

Culford believes in professional and personal development, and will seek to support the successful candidate in all areas. We have connections with the Teachers’ Development Trust and the Chartered College of Teaching, and seek to offer a wide range of professional development opportunities to all staff. We aim to ensure that our pupils are receiving the best possible experience in the classroom, while our staff are supported in developing their careers.

Teaching and learning at Culford received high praise in our last ISI inspection (May 2024). We value dynamism and risk-taking, and colleagues are given freedom to teach creatively in ways that inspire pupils.

Person Specification

The successful candidate will:

•   Teach and inspire pupils of a range of ability, from Fourth Form (Year 9) to A level

•   Teach Biology

•   Be an ambassador for Science within the school

•   Care for a tutor group of around 12 pupils

•   Contribute to the school’s extra-curricular activity programme

We are looking to appoint a colleague who will:

•   Model our values of honesty, courage and compassion demonstrating flexibility, innovation and resilience

•   Be passionate about the teaching and learning of science, taking a collaborative and reflective approach 

•   Be keen to engage with educational research to inform their teaching practice 

•   Be adept at using technology to support learning

•   Promote pleasurable and successful learning for all pupils

•   Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills

•   Have a firm commitment to safeguarding children and a good knowledge of policy

•   Be supportive of the aims and ethos of an independent boarding school

•   Deal confidently with pupils, staff and parents, showing natural empathy

•   When necessary, work under pressure to meet deadlines

Culford School is a boarding and day school for over 850 children aged 1 to 18, set in 480 acres of beautiful Suffolk parkland, with an 18th century grade II mansion at its centre and three separate schools: the Pre-Prep & Nursery (ages 1 to 7); the Prep (ages 7 to 13); and the Senior School (ages 13 to 18).

We believe in educating the whole person to deliver a well-rounded, fulfilled individual with excellent academic results. Everything we do is informed by our firm belief that learning should be challenging, enriching and fun. Culford is a Christian school with a Methodist tradition. We see education as a transformational process that guides pupils towards academic success, clear moral values, and the development of leadership and a readiness for the world of adulthood.

Safeguarding

Culford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  Applicants will be required to undergo a child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Flexibility and Variation:

This job description outlines the role as it stands at the date shown. Culford School periodically reviews job descriptions to ensure they remain accurate and relevant. Changes may be made following consultation with the post holder. While the aim is to agree on reasonable changes, the School reserves the right to change the job description following consultation.

All appointments are subject to pre-employment checks to meet vetting and barring requirements. For more information about that process please refer to the application form.

As an equal opportunities employer, Culford School is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join Culford School.

Culford School puts at the centre of its operation the safeguarding of the pupils of the school. There is a commitment to keep safeguarding at the forefront of every employee and volunteer’s mind. We encourage a culture of challenge, not just to act when there is a need, but also in the way we think to ensure the risks of harm to the pupils’ individual welfare are minimised.

Job applicants will undergo appropriate child protection screening and be subject to checks with previous employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Successful applicants must complete mandatory pre-employment training in safeguarding and other key areas before the commencement of employment.

Culford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we expect all staff to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; pre-employment checks will be carried out, references will be sought and successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and other relevant checks with statutory bodies.

We comply with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) code of practice and have a written policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders, both of which are available on request. As you have been shortlisted, you are required to declare any relevant convictions, adult cautions or other matters which may affect your suitability to work with children. As a result of amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (exceptions order 1975) in 2013 and 2020, some minor offences are now protected (filtered) and should not be disclosed to potential employers, and employers cannot take these offences into account.

If you are unsure whether you need to disclose criminal information, you should seek legal advice or you may wish to contact Nacro or Unlock for impartial advice. There is more information on filtering and protected offences on the Ministry of Justice website.

Nacro - https://www.nacro.org.uk/criminal-record-support-service/ or phone 0300 123 1999