Biology Teacher

NLCS (Singapore) believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success and that contributions should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities.

Therefore, this position description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications, and job scope, but not limit the employee, nor NLCS (Singapore), to only the work identified. It is the expectation of the school, that each employee will offer his/her services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our organisation.

Our School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The School expects all teaching staff, non‐teaching staff and volunteers to share and uphold this commitment.

Each employee is personally responsible for their own acts of discrimination, harassment or victimisation carried out during their employment, whether or not the employer is also liable. Any attempt to instruct, cause or induce another person to discriminate, harass or victimise a third person will be subject to disciplinary action.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, highly qualified and committed Biology Teacher, with an outstanding track record of success. This is a unique opportunity to join a leading international school as it enters an exciting new phase of development. We have just started our third year of operation and already have over 1000 students enrolled.

The successful appointee will join the Biology department and teach the subject throughout the Senior School (Grades 6 to 12). All members of staff are expected to be involved in pastoral care within the school community, usually in the role of form tutor, and also to contribute actively to the extra-curricular life of the School.

Teaching, learning & assessment

• Demonstrate passion for the subject and strive to engender the same in students.
• Plan and deliver lessons that inspire, motivate and challenge students whilst ensuring that they are fully prepared for assessment tasks and are able to make the progress expected of them.
• Encourage students to take a scholarly approach to their studies, fostering a love of learning and promoting the pursuit of their academic interests beyond the confines of the curriculum.
• Create and maintain an engaging, exciting classroom environment that encourages discussion, debate and collaboration between students.
• Ensure that students have an excellent understanding of the content outlined in departmental curriculum plans, and are able to apply it effectively.
• Build stretch and challenge into teaching at every opportunity.
• Use a variety of formative and summative assessment techniques to measure students’ progress and achievement, and inform teaching.
• Provide individualised support to students who are underperforming.
• Make effective and timely use of feedback (written, verbal and otherwise) to support students in understanding their current achievement levels and what they can do to improve them.
• Maintain high expectations of the quality of students’ work, liaising with the Head of Department and other relevant staff to implement support strategies for those who are underperforming.
• Maintain high expectations of students’ engagement and work ethic, liaising with the Head of Department and other relevant staff to implement support strategies for those who are not meeting them.
• Maintain high expectations of students’ behaviour, collegiality, attendance and punctuality, in line with School policy, ensuring that relevant procedures are followed if these are not met.
• Ensure that teaching fosters the development of students’ knowledge and use of academic English, implementing appropriate support strategies for EAL students.
• Implement classroom strategies prescribed by the Individual Needs Department for students with an Individual Needs Plan (INP).
• Adopt a positive and developmental approach to academic monitoring activities such as lesson observations, work scrutiny, learning walks and student voice.
• Assess, record and report on the attainment, effort and conduct of students in line with School and departmental assessment policies and procedures.
• Assist in the development of departmental schemes of work and resources.
• Maintain accurate records of student attendance through the School’s attendance system.
• Fulfil a teaching commitment in line with the School policy and allocation.

Pastoral care

• Always consider students’ welfare and best interests, striving to promote both at all times.
• Support the strong pastoral emphasis within NLCS (Singapore) as a tutor, including teaching PSE. Manage a lively, enthusiastic, orderly and safe learning environment fulfilling the responsibilities of that position.
• Develop strong relationships with students, providing guidance and support in academic, pastoral and enrichment matters.
• Liaise with relevant colleagues with a focus on supporting student’s academic and personal development.
• Maintain regular and positive relationships with parents with a focus on supporting their child(ren)’s academic and personal development; the spirit of communication with home should be personal and individual.
• Liaise with and support the Pastoral Leadership team in all matters pertaining to pastoral well-being, responsibility and strategy.
• Working alongside the Senior School Management Team to contribute to academic, pastoral and enrichment activities that broaden students’ experiences and enhance the general life of the school.
• Follow the school’s policies and procedures with regard to pastoral provision.

Enrichment

• Support the School’s academic enrichment programme by contributing to the McCabe Lecture series, supporting student-led academic societies and delivering taught enrichment sessions.
• Attend School events and activities as directed by the Principal and voluntarily support events such as trips, Arts Festival events, sports fixtures (home and away) and musical performances by students, after school and at weekends.
• Deliver co-curricular activities in line with School policy.
• Support the House Competition by attending events and encouraging student participation.

General responsibilities

• Play a full part in the life of the School, supporting its distinctive aims and ethos, and be prepared to actively participate and contribute to the community activities that exist within the School.
• Maintain familiarity with the School’s Guiding Statements, striving to embody and promote them at all times.
• Work effectively as part of a subject and pastoral team.
• Maintain high levels of professionalism and conduct, acting as a positive role model for students.
• Carry out supervisory duties as per published duty rotas.
• Continue own professional development in relevant areas, including subject knowledge, pedagogy and others related to career and personal development goals.
• Attend assemblies, staff meetings and training sessions as per published calendars.
• Engage actively in the appraisal process.
• Contribute to the preparation and implementation of academic and pastoral development plans, policy and practice.
• Treat all students with dignity, building relationships rooted in mutual respect, and at all times observing proper boundaries appropriate to a teacher’s professional position.
• Abide by the expectations laid out in the Academic Staff Handbook and the Staff Code of Conduct.
• Maintain familiarity with, and follow, all school policies.

Safeguarding:

• Abiding by the school safeguarding policy and keep abreast of any changes.

To apply:

Please submit your complete application via https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/biology-teacher-nlcs-singapore-1922010. Applications which are submitted outside of our applicant tracking portal will not be considered. Please note incomplete submissions will not be processed and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.