Teacher of Biology
Candidate Information Pack
Contents
• About Us
• A Warm Welcome
• Academic Life
• Our Campus
• Living in Cairo
• The Role
• About You
• Benefits
• Application Process
About Us
Uppingham Cairo opened to pupils aged 3 to 13 in New Giza in September 2024 in sight of the Great Pyramids of Giza. It is the first overseas branch of Uppingham School, a leading co-educational independent boarding school in the UK and will expand over time to cater to pupils aged 3 to 18.
Based on the values and ethos of Uppingham School, Uppingham Cairo embraces Egypt’s rich history and culture to bring a school of exceptional quality.
We care about who our pupils become. We believe in the transformative power of education. Yes, our priority is to deliver a wide-ranging curriculum; however, in the context of the 21st century, it will be our pupils’ personal qualities and values, not just exam results, that will set our pupils apart.
A Warm Welcome
I am delighted that you are considering joining Uppingham Cairo as a Biology Teacher.
This is a tremendously exciting time to be joining the School. Our first pupils joined us in September 2024, and they are already thriving in our ground-breaking Day Boarding environment. For the first time since 1584, there is another Uppingham. Not only in name but in character, philosophy, values and ambition - the connection is genuine, it is wholehearted and it is exciting.
“We are building something extraordinary For the young people of Cairo.”
As you will see from the wealth of information In this briefing pack, we are unashamedly ambitious for our new school. We were awarded full British Schools Overseas (BSO) Accreditation through inspection by ISI as well as membership of HMC, IAPS, BSME, COBIS and many other world leading organisations, in our Founding Year.
We know that we are building something extraordinary for the young people of Cairo, and we know how significant and important a task that is.
We are looking for exceptional people to join us, as our school expands in all year groups, and our current 3rd Formers began studying their GCSE courses in September 2025.
If this role represents a challenge and an opportunity that genuinely excites you, I would be delighted to hear from you.
With all good wishes,
Emma Webb Headmistress
Academic Life
Our commitment to a holistic education is as wholeheartedly held here in Cairo as it is in historic Uppingham School in Rutland, UK. Intellectual rigour, exploration, critical analysis, creativity, risk taking, communication, teamwork - all are central to the way we guide, nurture and inspire our young people.
Our role is to give our pupils the skills, confidence and capabilities to navigate their own paths through life - and the unshakeable sense of self they need to influence the world around them.
Every child navigates through education differently. Pupils thrive when they follow a curriculum that is right for them. Through our innovative teaching and wide range of options, we create a curriculum suited to each child’s interests, aptitudes and aspirations.
Academic rigour and aspirations matter to us and through our unique Day Boarding Programme, social and community initiatives, we encourage and inspire pupils to become self-aware, thoughtful and independent.
We help them to explore their motivations, strengths and ambitions; to find the right path for them. Our size means we offer unrestricted subject choices. We challenge and stretch all pupils - in the classroom and beyond.
We keep our curriculum fresh and relevant by embracing new technology and collaborating with leading institutions around the world to develop state-of-theart learning and sporting programmes
Our Campus
Uppingham Cairo is located in the prestigious New Giza area in sight of the Great Pyramids of Giza. Our outstanding campus is genuinely world leading; encouraging curiosity, discovery, self-expression and excellence in every pursuit.
Our facilities include:
• The Leonardo Art and Design Department, including bespoke facilities for Fine Art, Ceramics, Photography, Design & Technology, Computer Aided Design and Textiles as well as individual Studio Spaces for pupils from the 4th Form
• The Donald Campbell Sports’ Centre, including an indoor swimming pool, Multi-Purpose Sports’ Hall, indoor and outdoor Performance Gym and Indoor Running Track
• Natural grass Sports’ Pitch, Tennis, Mini-Tennis, Padbol, Paddle, Squash and Basketball Courts
• The Barbara Matthews Theatre, with a full size theatre, Black Box Theatre, Music Department classroom and Individual Music Practice Rooms
• The Johnson Early Years Department, with a Senior indoor swimming pool, beach, school farm and garden
• The Thring and Abercrombie Buildings house the Senior School academic department classrooms alongside Biology, Physics and Chemistry laboratories, computer science suites, the House Common Rooms, the Thring Dining Room, Dance Studio and the Thring Senior Library
• The Queen Elizabeth II Senior School Building house the Upper Pre-Prep and Lower Prep Departments alongside the QEII Dining Room, Music Room, Art Room, Exhibition Hall and Senior Library
• The Rutland Sixth Form Building, with bespoke study group classrooms, the Sixth Form Common Room, Sixth Form Laboratories and academic libraries
Living in Cairo
Uppingham Cairo is located in a safe haven of open spaces and suburban communities yet close enough to the capital for staff to enjoy the hustle and bustle of this extraordinary city.
conveniences and services you are used to – home delivery, Amazon, Uber, shopping centres and restaurants to cater for every taste.
The working week is Sunday to Thursday. Friday is much like a Sunday in the UK so services may vary slightly to the rest of the week.
The cost of living in Egypt is very low, compared to the UK (around 86% less). Domestic help and services are very affordable; utilities are around £15–20 per month and eating out is extremely reasonable. This means that staff can save whilst enjoying a high quality of life on their expatriate salaries.
from the school) and 13km from the new Grand Egyptian Museum.
The area offers a relaxed, suburban lifestyle of spacious, upscale accommodation in secure communities or compounds with large, landscaped grounds and cleaner air.
Communities are walled and gated, with security at each entrance, making them extremely safe and family friendly. Many have amenities such as parks, play areas, lakes, shops, restaurants, cafes, gyms, pools and golf courses.
The Role
Accountability
Accountable to the Head of Science, Biology Teachers’ main aims are to foster a love of Biology in all members of the School Community, to effectively deliver the Biology Curriculum and to actively participate in the development of the Sciences across the School.
The School reserves the right to adapt the needs of the role as circumstances demand or opportunities arise.
Key Areas of Responsibility
Teachers at Uppingham Cairo are expected to make the education and welfare of their pupils their primary concern and are accountable for achieving the highest possible standards in work and conduct.
Teachers act with honesty, integrity and ensure that their professional knowledge and skills are up-to-date within a climate of high expectations and continuous improvement.
Biology Teachers will:
Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils
• Foster a love of Biology in all members of the School community
• Empower pupils of all abilities to develop their Biology knowledge and skills, as well as their analytical and critical abilities: enabling them to succeed in public examinations in Biology (including iGCSE, A Level an IB when offered)
• Establish a safe and stimulating environment for pupils, rooted in mutual respect
They forge positive, professional relationships and work with parents in the best interests of the children in their care.
Teachers conduct themselves in an appropriate, professional manner at all times to foster the aims and ethos of Uppingham Cairo and make a positive contribution in all areas of school life, from the promotion of good manners to involvement in enrichment activities.
• Set targets that extend and challenge pupils of all backgrounds, abilities and cultures
• Demonstrate consistently the positive attitudes, values and behaviors which are expected of pupils
Promote excellent progress and outcomes
• Be accountable for pupils’ attainment, progress and outcomes, teaching Biology across the School
• Deliver a diverse, flexible and differentiated curriculum which broadens and deepens pupils’ understanding and appreciation of Biology across all levels
• Plan teaching to build on pupils’ capabilities and prior knowledge, nurturing and stretching the most-able whilst also making Biology accessible and enjoyable for all
• Encourage pupils to reflect on their progress and identify the next steps in their learning
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how pupils learn and how this impacts on teaching
• Encourage pupils to take a responsible and conscientious attitude to their own work and studies Demonstrate outstanding subject and curriculum knowledge
• Have a secure knowledge of the Biology Curriculum across the School
• Foster and maintain pupils’ interest in Biology and address misunderstandings and misconceptions
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of development in Sciences to promote the value of scholarship
• Keep abreast of external curriculum developments (including iGCSE, A Level and IB when offered), ensuring all Biology Schemes of Work and planning are updated to reflect such developments.
Plan and teach well-structured lessons
• Develop and establish creative, responsive and effective approaches to learning and teaching in Biology
• Impart knowledge and develop understanding through effective use of lesson time
• Set differentiated homework (as appropriate) and plan other outof-class activities to consolidate and extend the knowledge and understanding pupils have acquired
• Reflect systematically on the effectiveness of lessons and approaches to teaching
• Contribute to the design and provision of an engaging Biology Curriculum across the School
• Promote a love of Biology and encourage pupils’ intellectual and creative curiosity
Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all pupils
• Know when and how to differentiate appropriately, using approaches which enable pupils to be taught effectively
• Have a secure understanding of how a range of factors can inhibit pupils’ ability to learn and how best to overcome these
• Demonstrate an awareness of the physical, social and intellectual development of children and know how to adapt teaching to support pupils’ education at different stages of development
• Have a clear understanding of the needs of all pupils, including those with special educational needs; those with disabilities; be able to use and evaluate effective and appropriate teaching approaches to engage and support them in accordance with School policy
Make accurate and productive use of assessments
• Ensure a consistent and continuous focus on pupil achievement across the Science Department using data and benchmarks to monitor progress in every pupils’ learning as appropriate
• Know and understand how to assess pupils’ attainment in Biology in accordance with the School’s Assessment Policy and procedures
• Analyse formative and summative assessments to track and secure pupils’ progress and set appropriate targets regularly
• Use and record relevant data to monitor progress, set year and ability groups, set individual targets and plan subsequent lessons
• Give pupils regular feedback both orally and through accurate and diagnostic marking, in line with the School’s Marking Policy and encourage pupils to respond to feedback
• Integrate Assessment for Learning strategies into all lessons
Manage behaviour effectively to ensure a positive and safe learning environment
• Have clear rules and routines for behaviour in classrooms and take responsibility for promoting polite and courteous behaviour both in classrooms and around the School, in accordance with the School’s Behaviour Policy
• Have very high expectations of behaviour and establish a framework for discipline with a range of strategies, using praise, rewards and sanctions consistently and fairly
• Manage classes effectively, using approaches which are appropriate to pupils’ needs in order to involve and motivate them
• Maintain good relationships with pupils, exercise appropriate authority and act decisively when necessary
Strengthen community
• Play an active role in the development of a culture and curriculum which takes into account the richness and diversity of the School’s community and locality
• Act as an ambassador for the Sciences and the School in the wider community
• Seek opportunities to use local and regional resources to facilitate trips and visits
• Be an active member of professional Biology associations or groups where possible
Wider Professional Responsibilities
Uppingham Cairo is a Day Boarding School, open from 7.30am – 9.00pm Sunday to Wednesday, and until 4.30pm on Thursdays.
All staff are expected to:
• Be aware of and committed to the ethos and values of Uppingham Cairo as a Day Boarding School
• Make a positive contribution to the wider life and ethos of the School and contribute to the Day Boarding Programme which runs until 9pm Sunday –Wednesday; this includes active participation in House activities, assemblies, duties, the Co-Curricular Programme, Parents’ Evenings and other related commitments.
• Carry out any task that can be reasonably be expected of them in their role
• Take an active role in the development and implementation of school policies and in the whole life of the School
• Ensure that there are equal opportunities for all
• Follow school procedures as outlined in the staff handbooks
• Promote environmental awareness across the School.
• Develop effective professional relationships with colleagues, exercising sound judgement in seeking advice and specialist support, and deploying support staff appropriately.
• Take responsibility for the continuous improvement of teaching through appropriate professional development, and respond constructively to advice and feedback from colleagues.
• Communicate promptly and professionally with parents regarding pupils’ achievements, behaviour and wellbeing, in accordance with the School’s communication procedures, and make purposeful use of the School’s electronic communication systems to support teaching, learning and engagement with the wider community.
• Be fully committed to Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
About You
Essential
Education, skills, training and qualifications
• University degree from a recognized academic institution
• Recognised teaching qualification, UK PGCE or other teaching qualification giving QTS
• Strong pedagogical knowledge, including AfL
• Working knowledge of the National Curriculum
• Understanding of UK Safeguarding and Child Protection protocols
• Demonstrable commitment to professional development
• Strong ICT skills; an interest in and enthusiasm for the use of technology in education
• Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills with the ability to deal confidently with a wide range of people including staff, pupils and parents
• Outstanding planning and organizational skills
• Able and willing to contribute to the Co-Curricular Programme
Experience
• Comfortable working as part of a team
• Experience of, or a clear understanding of UK Independent Schools and/or British International Schools
Personal Qualities
• Commitment to the ethos of the school as a Day Boarding School and a belief in the unlimited potential of every pupil
• Ability to embrace and manage change
• Emotional intelligence. An ability to relate well to children and develop effective professional working relationships with adults
• Passion, resilience, integrity and optimism
• Approachable and empathetic to the needs of others
• Enthusiasm and an ability to use own initiative
• Ability to prioritise and work flexibly as workloads require, and a willingness to take ownership of tasks
• Attention to detail and ability to actively question and clarify information
• A role model who demonstrates professionalism at all times
• A positive outlook on life combined with energy, thoughtfulness, resilience, patience and a lively sense of humour
Desirable
• Knowledge of international accreditation, inspection and evaluation framework
• Experience using educational technology such as iPads and Virtual Learning Environment
Benefits
• Competitive Salary
• Fully furnished and equipped high quality accommodation in close proximity to the School
• Airconditioned transport to and from the School during term time
• Meals when on duty, including lunch for all teaching staff
• Annual return flights
• Comprehensive Private Healthcare Scheme Membership
• Free access to primary healthcare at the on-site Medical Centre
• Free annual flu vaccination
• 100% School fee discount for up to 2 children and 15% uniform discount
• Free membership to the Uppingham Cairo Sports Centre, including use of gym and swimming pool
• Comprehensive Professional Development Programme with ongoing mentoring and coaching
• Employee Assistance Programme and access to Occupational Health Services
Application Process
Applications should be made by sending a fully completed Uppingham Cairo Application Form, including at least 2 referees and Cover Letter, to recruitment26@uppinghamcairo.com.
CVs may also be sent in addition to the Application Form.