Biology Teacher - from August 2026

This is an outstanding opportunity for a dynamic and inspirational teacher to make a real difference in a key department in one of Scotland's most dynamic independent schools. The department has a long tradition of excellent attainment and achievement, and of connecting with and inspiring children. We seek a creative, highly enthusiastic and hard-working teacher of Biology for August 2026.

The School

The Glasgow Academy is an ambitious, warm, welcoming, thriving and forward-thinking fully co-educational HMC independent day school of around 1700 pupils aged 3-18. It is highly popular, growing in a planned way over the last 14 years. It consists of the Senior School, of around 800 pupils of 11-18 years of age, and a Preparatory School (which has three sites all of which has a Nursery/Kindergarten). Recruitment at the school is very strong at every age group.

We have a long tradition of fostering academic excellence and we are proud of our pupils’ achievements. Results in external examinations are consistently among the best in the country.

We have an open and inclusive entry policy and present pupils for a significantly greater number of Higher examinations than many other schools. In 2024/2025 our pass rate at National 5 A-C rate was 98% with the A pass rate at 81%. and at Higher was 97% with 75% of entries awarded A grades. In S6, the pass rate was 91% for Advanced Higher with 53% of entries awarded grade A.

Beyond academic achievement we want all of our pupils to thrive and contribute to a rapidly developing modern world and to do that we must ensure they leave The Academy with a socially conscious, innovative and global outlook. Our aim is that we provide our pupils with rich learning experiences that best prepare them for life after The Academy and also places value on the importance of sustainable education for future generations. Through further development of our local, national and global partnerships our aim is that we have a greater impact on lives within and out with The Academy community.

The school's latest £15 million new building won Best Building in Scotland, the UK's richest architectural prize. The school has invested around £27 million in its facilities over the last decade or so and continues to invest heavily and strategically.

The Department

There are five members of the Biology department, including the Head of Department, plus a dedicated biology technician. The team excite children about science, gain excellent academic results, and contribute to the wider life of the school through involvement in house activities, pastoral care and residential trips, as well as leading some of The Academy's best co-curricular clubs and societies such as the Biomedical Society, Anatomy Society, Conservation and Wildlife Society and CREST Award. Pupils are also encouraged to participate in the Biology Challenge, Intermediate Biology Olympiad and Biology Olympiad with pupils achieving top awards.

Biology is a popular subject choice in The Glasgow Academy and uptake is high at all levels. This year, in line with previous years, we have more than 60 S5 pupils in four Higher classes, with 38 pupils in S6 taking Advanced Higher. A large number of these pupils go on to study Biological Sciences, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine or Dentistry.

We pride ourselves on making all pupils' learning experience enjoyable, challenging and contemporary, while at the same time producing strong SQA results, as seen in August 2025 when 75% of Higher entries were grade A. Within the Biology co-curriculum, we fit in visits from lecturers from Higher Education, university researchers, medical professionals and relevant external speakers working in the field of biology.

Further information is available on our web site at www.theglasgowacademy.org.uk - Academic - Senior School - Biology

The Person

You are likely to hold an excellent honours degree or doctorate and must be passionate about motivating young people. You will have a can do, will do attitude, will join enthusiastically in the further development of Biology teaching at The Academy and will instil high standards and high expectations in children, plus the belief that intelligence is not fixed and that abilities can be developed considerably through sensibly focused endeavour. You will care deeply about children's success and be skilled at motivating children to work to their full potential. You will also been keen to be involved in the department's clubs and societies. The ability and experience of teaching Advanced Higher Biology would be desirable.

Strong commitment, good communication skills, diplomacy, dynamism, proactivity, teambuilding skills, and the very highest standards are key to this post. So are a calm and nurturing disposition, flexibility and being an improving presence. Above all, you will work very hard and effectively for the children in your care.

The Appointment

The appointment is for August 2026 and is a full‑time fixed‑term contract until June 2027, with the possibility of permanency subject to school needs and the successful performance of the role.

The Academy has a salary scheme offering a premium above national pay levels for teachers and a competitive defined contribution pension.

All teachers at The Academy must be registered with the General Teaching Council Scotland.

The Glasgow Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and all appointments are subject to membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme.

The Glasgow Academy is committed to providing equality of opportunity and ensuring that no job applicant receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender and transgender status, race and ethnicity, religion and belief, marriage or civil partnership status or sexual orientation.

We have been awarded the Silver Level of the Armed Forces Employee Recognition Scheme and warmly welcome applications from current and former Service personnel.

It is a legal requirement that all employees must demonstrate that they are entitled to live and work in the UK. You will be required to produce documentary proof e.g. passport and work permit, where applicable, to demonstrate your eligibility to work if selected for interview.

The Glasgow Academicals' War Memorial Trust is an educational charity registered in Scotland, Charity No SCO15638

How to apply

Applications should be made using the official application form and must be submitted by email to recruitment@tga.org.uk by 5pm on Thursday 26th March. Interviews (which will include teaching a sample lesson) will take place on Monday 30th and Tuesday 31 March.

Candidates should include details of their particular interests and what contributions they feel they can make to the wider life of the school.