Teacher of Biology (short-term cover)

Aiglon College seeks to appoint a suitably qualified

Teacher of Biology (short-term cover)

to join the school from: 01.01.2027

Your profile

The role and candidate profile for this role is detailed in the attached job description and person specification.

Successful Aiglon staff are enthusiastic, experienced, committed, reflective, dynamic and willing to try new ideas. If you share these values and have an appetite for challenge and an ambition to make a positive impact on our world, we welcome your application.

About us

Located in Chesières (Vaud, Switzerland), Aiglon College is a not-for-profit, international boarding school offering a distinctive, world-class education in a stunning alpine setting.

The school was founded on a distinctive ethos: the balanced development of mind, body and spirit. This philosophy underpins everything we do at Aiglon, both inside and outside the classroom.

There are over 480 students, representing more than 70 nationalities, following the International GCSE (IGCSE) and International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB Diploma) programmes.

What we offer

Aiglon is dedicated to the well-being and professional development of all staff, within a vibrant, friendly, and modern workplace. Beyond competitive salaries and comprehensive social security benefits, we provide free accident and loss of salary insurances, generous pension and leave entitlements, as well as a range of special perks and advantages.

How to apply

Deadline for applications: 02.10.2026

Early applications are encouraged. We reserve the right to appoint before the application deadline should we find the right candidate. Please apply through our School platform (eteach) following the instructions; applications sent by standard email will not be considered.

Aiglon is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

Applicants will therefore need to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post.

You can find information on how the School processes your personal data within the School’s Privacy Notice.

JOB PURPOSE

Aiglon College is an international boarding school based in the Swiss Alps with a worldwide reputation for providing a challenging and transformational holistic education in an inspiring setting within a safe, caring and supportive framework. The School is CIS accredited, and caters for 500 students aged 6 -18 representing 70 nations. Students prepare for Cambridge IGCSEs and the IB Diploma Programme.

The school wishes to appoint, for January 2027, a teacher of Biology. The ideal candidate for this position would be an experienced teacher with a proven track record at achieving excellent results. Experience teaching Biology at IB or A-level is necessary as well as having experience of IGCSE Biology, and lower school general science. However, the school is open to all applications from inspirational candidates.

The science faculty is a thriving team of eleven full-time teachers supported by four dedicated lab technicians. They are a friendly, collegiate team who enjoy sharing ideas and best practice. The schemes of work include a significant emphasis on lab activities and student-led inquiry; we have access to modern apparatus and data-logging equipment, ensuring that students develop scientific skills and an appreciation of the scientific method, in addition to subject knowledge. The faculty is committed to developing the quality of science and technology offered in the extracurricular activities programme. The department is based in a suite of well-equipped laboratories located within a chalet-style building. A major refurbishment of the science laboratories has been recently completed.

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, before selecting one or two science subjects in the IB Diploma Programme. Students who join Aiglon in Year 11 study the Aiglon pre-IB science course, with subject specialist teachers in each subject, which focuses on the content and skills required to successfully transition to a Group 4 Science diploma course in Year 12.

Teachers are expected to make a significant contribution to the ethos of Aiglon College. The expectation is that staff will be positive and contribute enthusiastically to the life and work of the school. 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. The points listed in the job description below identify the key areas for which the teacher is responsible; additional responsibilities may arise from time to time at the reasonable request of the School Director.

This job description is additional to the basic duties outlined in the Aiglon College contract of employment in accordance with the school’s policies and guiding principles, and under the direction of the School Director. A summary of the key accountabilities is included below.

Professional Standards and Expectations

• Carry out teaching duties and exercise responsibilities in line with the Guiding Principles of Aiglon;

• Plan and deliver engaging lessons in a safe learning environment;

• Treat all members of the community, colleagues and students, with respect and consideration. Treat all students fairly, consistently and without prejudice;

• Set a good example to students in terms of appropriate dress, standards of punctuality and attendance;

• Read and adhere to the various policies of the school as expressed in the Aiglon Guide and other agreed documentation, and support the ethos of the school by upholding the behaviour code, uniform regulations and other expectations;

• Be available to work on campus in good time to complete all necessary preparations and meetings before the start of term;

• Take personal responsibility for professional development (both pastoral and academic) and participate in staff training when provided, in line with the continued professional development programme of Aiglon;

• Reflect on personal and school practices in pursuit of continuous improvement;

• Undertake pastoral and other duties as prescribed within school policies;

• Ensure that all deadlines are met as published in the school calendar and as directed by the Deputy School Director;

• Undertake professional duties that may be reasonably assigned, including cover and exam invigilation;

• Attend Assembly/Meditation on at least two mornings a week when averaged over any term and be prepared to give a Meditation once each term;

• Be proactive and take responsibility for matters relating to health and safety;

• Support the school through regular attendance at various events in the School Diary (these may be religious, spiritual, sporting or cultural).

Teaching and Tutoring

• Teach a predetermined number of academic lessons per week, in accordance with Department schemes of work and programmes of study;

• Liaise with relevant colleagues on the planning of units of work for collaborative delivery;

• Work in collaboration with Aiglon’s programme of support for students with specific learning difficulties, as directed by the Head of Learning Support or the Deputy School Director;

• Take account of students' prior levels of attainment and baseline data and use these to set targets for future improvements;

• Take account of students' prior levels of attainment and baseline data and use these to set targets for future improvements;

• Set work for students absent from class for health, disciplinary or co-curricular reasons;

• Where appropriate, prepare students thoroughly for public examinations including the marking and moderation of coursework;

• Engage with and promote the use of ICT and the development of appropriate ICT skills both within the curriculum and in wider school life;

• Maintain good discipline by adherence to the advice given to colleagues in the Aiglon Guide and elsewhere, and by the Deputy School Director;

• Set high expectations for students' behaviour by establishing a purposeful working atmosphere in lessons and in the boarding environment;

• Set appropriate and demanding expectations for students' learning, motivation and presentation of work, in line with agreed school policies;

• If required, act as a tutor in an assigned Boarding House, exercising best practice in pastoral care and providing guidance and encouragement to students, as directed by Houseparents and the Deputy School Director. This will include the need to attend scheduled meetings at the Houseparents’ or Deputy School Directors’ discretion and meet with students outside of formal meeting times;

• Assume House duties. At present, house duties usually involve the following, but these may be revised by the School Director should circumstances so require:

  • a regular weekday lunchtime and evening duty

  • weekend duties on 1 in 3 weekends (approximately 10 or 11 per year)

Assessment, Recording and Reporting

• Maintain notes and plans of lessons undertaken and records of students’ work;

• Mark, monitor and return student work within a reasonable and agreed time span providing constructive oral and written feedback and clear targets for future learning as appropriate and keep records of students’ performance as required by the faculty or departmental marking policy or the Director of Learning;

• Complete student formative and summative assessments in line with policy and as specified in the published calendar, including the House feedback system;

• Be familiar with and 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 as required;

• 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 the Winter and Summer Long Expeditions in consultation with the Head of Expeditions and Deputy School Director. Participation in expeditions is encouraged for all staff, and appears on the weekend Duty Rota;

• Contribute to the annual Cultural Learning Experiences (CLE) in consultation with the 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 Aiglon in all dealings with the wider public.

An Aiglon teacher is expected to:

• Demonstrate responsibility, by motivating and enthusing staff and students, giving direction and showing initiative and drive while demonstrating good judgement;

• Work effectively with other people, by treating people respectfully, empathetically and equally in order to develop good working relationships;

• Get the job done, by delivering what is required within deadlines and to a high standard;

• Manage resources effectively, in particular demonstrating strong time management skills, but also effective management of equipment, ICT facilities, and information;

• Communicate clearly, by getting across the message effectively, listening carefully and responding to feedback;

• Look the part, by maintaining a professional and business-like appearance;

• Foster a positive professional climate through constructive, empowering behaviours;

• Act as a role model to students, exemplifying a positive attitude in line with the school’s Guiding Principles.

Aiglon is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All shortlisted applicants will have child protection screening appropriate to the post.

At the School Director’s request, an employee may agree to take on an increased commitment to House or other duties in lieu of the standard Expeditions requirements (as outlined above) or vice-versa. Such arrangements are entirely at the School Director’s discretion.

Job descriptions may, over time, be subject to change and amendment.

OTHER TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Understand and implement all school policies and procedures, particularly those relating to safeguarding children and young people

• Undertake any other task which may be reasonably requested by the Head of Biology to assist in the smooth running of the team

• Understand the School’s Guiding Principles and uphold the ethos of the School at all times