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Candidate Information

Biology Teacher

September 2023

Sutton Valence
one school, many journeys

Introduction

Sutton Valence is an independent, HMC co-educational day and boarding

school situated in the heart of Kent for pupils aged 2-18.

At the Senior School, whilst not fiercely selective on entry, its value added

statistics are impressive. For those subjects Sutton Valence offers at A Level,

the School aims to be in the top 10% nationally for adding value, managing to

bring out the academic potential in every pupil. Equally impressive is the

breadth of education on offer, which at GCSE is tailored to each pupil’s

strengths, recognising that academic achievement is only one measure of

success.

From Year 7 (First Form), all our pupils work on laptops using Microsoft

OneNote which acts as repository for class notes, prep and online textbooks.

Pupils also make notes on their devices and store them in OneNote so teachers

can mark online using digital ink or recording. It is expected that most lessons

will use the device at some point although many will use a combination of

paper work and device.

Individuality, confidence without arrogance and the strength of character to

meet the complexities of modern living with equanimity are the hallmarks of a

Sutton Valence pupil.

The Senior School’s roll is currently 575 of which 113 are boarders. Class sizes

are small and the overall pupil-staff ratio of 9:1 enables Sutton Valence pupils

to benefit from the close guidance and individual attention of teachers. The

academic staff are all highly-qualified subject specialists with a commitment to

continuing professional development.

Contained within the 100-acre site, there are dedicated games pitches, an all-

weather playing surface, a sports centre, which contains a fitness suite, an all-

weather athletics track and field sports arena and an indoor six-lane swimming

pool.

Sutton Valence Preparatory School occupies its own site in the neighbouring

village of Chart Sutton and currently has 285 pupils between the ages of 2 and

11.

The School’s Vision, Mission and Ethos

Vision

Through membership of our community and the academic and co-curricular

opportunities it provides, we believe that all young people in our School will be

enabled to fulfil their true potential. We want our students to be confident

civilised, tolerant and open-minded individuals who possess a love of learning

and a strong set of values reflecting our principles as a Christian Foundation.

Our Mission is to provide:

• A caring, supportive and inclusive community for the education of

children aged 2-18, day and boarding;

• A challenging, relevant and broad curriculum delivered in ways that

allow all to achieve;

• An outstanding range of sporting, artistic, cultural and social activities,

and opportunities so that children can develop skills such as self-

discipline, commitment, leadership and teamwork;

• A safe, secure and stimulating environment which promotes excellence,

independence and high standards whilst providing support to all who

need it;

• A grounding in moral and spiritual understanding which will promote

respect for others, along with self-respect.

Ethos

A community where each cares for all and individuality is cherished.

The Post

Sutton Valence school are looking for a dedicated, dynamic, and inspirational

teacher to join their successful Biology Department from September 2023. The

candidate must promote the highest standards of teaching and learning in the

classroom, be innovative and invested in contributing to the development of the

Department, all whilst ensuring an outstanding level of pupil pastoral care.

The candidate should be able to teach Biology to an excellent standard up to A

Level, as well as deliver an engaging Junior Science curriculum, which includes

biology, chemistry, and physics up to Second Form (Year 8). The school currently

offers the Edexcel Biology Separate GCSE, as well as the Combined Science GCSE,

and a BTEC Award. Therefore, adaptability and effective differentiation is critical

to cater for a broad ability range. At A Level, the Biology Department follows the

OCR A specification. The subject has a consistently good uptake of pupils at A

level, with a successful track record of results. Following this, many pupils go on

to study biology at undergraduate level, including Medicine, Veterinary Science,

Conservation and Ecology.

The Science Department

The Science Department consists of 9 teaching staff: three Biology, three Physics,

and three Chemistry teachers. In each department there is one Head of Subject, as

well as a Science Co-ordinator and Junior Science Coordinator. Together we make

up a highly committed and hard-working team, who not only strive to achieve the

very best for our pupils, both academically and pastorally, but also work hard to

support one another. Each member of teaching staff has their own laboratory and

within each of the three Departments, there is a dedicated laboratory technician to

support the excellent standard of teaching. A full range of apparatus and

equipment required for teaching up to A Level is also available. As a fully digital

school, all teachers are provided with their own laptop and all teaching resources

and provisions are provided online. Therefore, candidates should have a good level

of IT skills, and be able to use Microsoft Teams and OneNote effectively. Each lab is

also equipped with an interactive whiteboard.

At Sutton Valence School, we believe that students learn Science most effectively

through the aid of stimulating and engaging practical activities, ranging from organ

dissections to practising ecology-based sampling techniques out in the field.

Scientific practical skills are carefully nurtured from the First Form (Year 7), where

we have implemented a primarily skills-based curriculum to develop a solid

foundation for A Level science, enabling the use of more sophisticated laboratory

techniques such as colorimetry, serial dilutions, and chromatography. Our

curriculum is designed to inspire and equip independent thinking and problem-

solving; students should not only acquire skills in collecting data, but also in

effectively analysing and evaluating it, investigating facts, and using deduction. We

believe that these skills not only help to shape young scientists, but also enable all

students to become confident and independent learners.

Further information is available here.

Application Process

Applications will only be accepted from candidates completing the application

form in full. CVs will not be accepted in substitution for completed application

forms.

Supporting statements should state what particular skills and attributes you can

bring to Sutton Valence School, brief details of how you fit the position, including

specific details of skills, experience and achievements, and details of any interests

and hobbies.

Do not meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and

people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single

qualification. At SVS we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive

workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience does not

align perfectly with every qualification or experience in the information provided,

we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this

or other roles.

Further information about Sutton Valence School can be found on our website.

We also have very active accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

To apply, please click on the ‘Quick Apply’ button on our TES listing and complete

an application form. Alternatively, an application form can be found on our School

vacancies page, or via email at [email protected].

Closing date: Friday 24th February 2023

Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to

the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring

Service (DBS), and a declaration of medical fitness. It is an offence to apply for this

role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to

children.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children

and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

A copy of the School’s Child Protection policy may be found on the School’s

website, which all applicants are expected to read prior to interview.

Sutton Valence School is an equal opportunities employer.

Please note: we reserve the right to appoint prior to the closing date.

Benefits to Working at SVS

Salary and Pension

Salary will be at the appropriate point on the Sutton Valence School pay scale.

From September 2022 the School started offering either membership to the TPS or

to a DC scheme. The teacher’s gross salary will be dependent on the pension

scheme and contribution level.

Free Parking

Both the Senior and Preparatory School sites have free, ample parking available

for staff. Both sites have bays allocated for those with disabilities.

Benenden Healthcare Membership

All staff are welcome to join the Benenden Healthcare Scheme. The cost of

joining Benenden is currently £11.90 per month; the School pays up to 80 per

cent of contributions, based upon length of service. Further Information is

available from the Bursary.

Fitness Facilities

All staff may use the Senior School’s fitness facilities at designated times.

These facilities include an indoor, heated, six-lane swimming pool, a fully

equipped air-conditioned Strength and Conditioning Suite, and a

Cardiovascular Suite, as well as a large sports hall available for a multitude of

sports.

Fee Remission

All staff with a contract for at least one full term and have children who attend

either the Senior or Preparatory School will be eligible to receive a discount in

respect of School fees (excluding the Nursery). The current rate of discount is

65 per cent for full-time staff, and for part-time staff the relevant percentage

will be calculated on a pro rata basis.

School Meals

All staff are provided with excellent lunches with no charge.

Community and Environment

We are very proud of the positive and supportive community we have and staff

often comment on this being one of the best aspects of working at SVS. This,

coupled with a beautiful physical environment both at School and in the

immediate vicinity, make it a highly desirable place to work.

Sutton Valence School

North Street

Sutton Valence

Kent ME17 3HL

www.svs.org.uk

01622 845200

A member of The United Westminster and Grey Coat Foundation.
Registered Charity No 1181012