Teacher of Biology

Teaching Opportunity in the Swiss Alps

Join an international boarding school in the Swiss Alps with a worldwide reputation for providing a challenging and transformational holistic education. The institution is CIS accredited and caters for 500 students aged 6 to 18 representing 70 nations, preparing them for Cambridge IGCSEs and the IB Diploma Programme within a safe, caring, and supportive framework.

Role Overview

The school seeks an experienced educator to join the science faculty for January 2027. The ideal candidate possesses a proven track record of achieving excellent results, with necessary experience teaching Biology at IB or A-level, IGCSE Biology, and lower school general science. While the school is open to applications from all inspirational candidates, the role requires a commitment to high academic standards and student development.

Faculty Environment

Join a thriving team of eleven full-time teachers supported by four dedicated lab technicians. This friendly, collegiate group enjoys sharing ideas and best practices. The schemes of work emphasize lab activities and student-led inquiry, utilizing modern apparatus and data-logging equipment to ensure students develop scientific skills and an appreciation of the scientific method. The department is based in a suite of well-equipped laboratories located within a chalet-style building, recently refurbished to enhance the learning environment.

Curriculum Structure

• In the Discovery programme (Years 7-9), students are taught science by a single teacher.
• From Year 10 upwards, the three separate sciences are taught by subject specialists.
• Year 10 and 11 students are prepared for Cambridge Double Award Coordinated Science (A*-G) IGCSE at the end of Year 11.
• Students then select one or two science subjects in the IB Diploma Programme.
• Students joining in Year 11 study a pre-IB science course focusing on the content and skills required to successfully transition to a Group 4 Science diploma course in Year 12.

Key Responsibilities

Professional Standards and Expectations

• Carry out teaching duties in line with the school’s Guiding Principles.
• Plan and deliver engaging lessons in a safe learning environment.
• Treat all members of the community with respect, consideration, fairness, and consistency.
• Set a good example regarding dress, punctuality, and attendance.
• Adhere to school policies, including the behaviour code and uniform regulations.
• Be available on campus in good time to complete preparations and meetings before the start of term.
• Take personal responsibility for professional development and participate in staff training.
• Reflect on personal and school practices in pursuit of continuous improvement.
• Undertake pastoral duties as prescribed within school policies.
• Ensure all deadlines are met as published in the school calendar.
• Undertake professional duties such as cover and exam invigilation.
• Attend Assembly/Meditation on at least two mornings a week and be prepared to give a Meditation once each term.
• Be proactive in matters relating to health and safety.
• Support the school through regular attendance at various events in the School Diary.

Teaching and Tutoring

• Teach a predetermined number of academic lessons per week in accordance with Department schemes of work.
• Liaise with colleagues on the planning of units of work for collaborative delivery.
• Work in collaboration with the programme of support for students with specific learning difficulties.
• Use students' prior levels of attainment and baseline data to set targets for future improvements.
• Set work for students absent from class for health, disciplinary, or co-curricular reasons.
• Prepare students thoroughly for public examinations, including marking and moderation of coursework.
• Engage with and promote the use of ICT and the development of appropriate ICT skills.
• Maintain good discipline by adhering to advice given in the school guide and by leadership.
• Set high expectations for students' behaviour, learning, motivation, and presentation of work.
• Act as a tutor in an assigned Boarding House if required, exercising best practice in pastoral care.
• Assume House duties, including regular weekday lunchtime and evening duty, and weekend duties on 1 in 3 weekends.

Assessment, Recording and Reporting

• Maintain notes and plans of lessons undertaken and records of students’ work.
• Mark, monitor, and return student work within an agreed time span, providing constructive feedback and clear targets.
• Complete student formative and summative assessments in line with policy and the published calendar.
• Apply procedures for identification and assessment of special educational needs, EAL requirements, and other learning support issues.
• Provide mark reading information and write detailed reports on students at the end of each term.
• Attend parents’ meetings as designated in the school calendar.

Co-Curricular Duties

• Contribute to the Activities programme on a weekly basis in consultation with the Activities Coordinator.
• Contribute to the annual Cultural Learning Experiences (CLE) in consultation with the Deputy School Director.
• Participate in the Expeditions programme, including Winter and Summer Long Expeditions, in consultation with the Head of Expeditions and Deputy School Director.

Communication and Meetings

• Attend meetings when required.
• Ensure that communication is timely, relevant, respectful, and pertinent.
• Assist where necessary with the school’s promotional initiatives.
• Preserve and promote the good name of the school in all dealings with the wider public.

Expectations

Teachers are expected to make a significant contribution to the ethos of the school. Staff should be positive and contribute enthusiastically to the life and work of the institution. Teachers are directly responsible to the relevant Head of Department/Faculty for the successful management of their classes and for the development and performance of students. Additional responsibilities may arise from time to time at the reasonable request of the School Director. This role is additional to the basic duties outlined in the contract of employment in accordance with the school’s policies and guiding principles, and under the direction of the School Director.