Become a Biology Teacher

To secure a guaranteed interview, apply below by May 18

Days

0 0 0 0

Hours

0 0 0 0

Minutes

0 0 0 0

Seconds

0 0 0 0

Why become a biology teacher?

Do you have a passion for the wonders of life and a desire to share it? Here's why becoming a biology teacher might be your perfect career move:

Spark curiosity about the living world: Unveil the mysteries of nature to your pupils! Watch their fascination grow as you explore everything from the intricate workings of the human body to the awe-inspiring diversity of ecosystems.

Nurture the next generation of scientists: Inspire a love for biology and equip pupils with the skills to become the future generation of doctors, researchers, and environmental scientists.

Make a positive impact on the planet: Biology is at the heart of environmental awareness. By fostering a deeper understanding of the natural world, you'll empower pupils to become responsible stewards of the environment.

Get hands-on and creative: Biology isn't just textbooks! Design engaging lessons that incorporate dissections, experiments, and field trips, making learning fun and interactive.

Why is teaching biology important?

Understanding the natural world is crucial for a healthy and sustainable future. Teaching biology plays a vital role in:

Equipping pupils for future careers: Biology is a cornerstone for many science-related fields. A strong foundation in biology opens doors to exciting careers in healthcare, biotechnology, scientific research, bioinformatics, animal and plant physiology, botany, and environmental science

Promoting scientific literacy: Biology helps us understand the world around us, from the food we eat to the impact of climate change. By fostering scientific literacy, you'll empower students to make informed decisions about their health and the environment.

Developing critical thinking skills: Biology is all about asking questions, analysing data, and drawing conclusions. Through engaging lessons and practical investigations, you'll equip pupils with critical thinking skills vital for success in any field.

How do teachers make a difference to young people's lives?

What will I be teaching?

You will teach the national curriculum for biology to KS4. When teaching, you will cover themes including:

Cells and organisation
The skeletal and muscular systems
Nutrition and digestion
Gas exchange systems
Reproduction
Health
Genetics and evolution

How will I learn?

Structured Weekly Plan: Follow a clear and manageable weekly schedule that combines online learning with hands-on experience in a real school setting.

Online Learning: Dedicate 20% of your time to in-depth subject knowledge and professional development modules delivered through our engaging e-learning platform. Access course materials, engaging lessons, and helpful tutorials whenever you need them.

Expert Mentorship: Receive dedicated support from a school-based mentor who will guide you through your ITT course, offering regular progress checks and helping you plan your next steps.

How will I learn How can I prepare for Biology teacher training?

• Be aware that most Science jobs, for any specialism, will involve teaching all three sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) to at least KS3, and often KS4.
• Read the National Curriculum for Science.
• Use revision guides, past paper questions, BBC bitesize, to consolidate your own Biology (and general science) knowledge and ensure familiarity with expected student endpoints, by year 11.
• If selecting the 16-19 route, engage with the A level specifications and past papers for Biology, and any other post 16 course that you would like to offer such as BTEC Applied Science level 3.
• Visit the Royal Society of Biology and Association of Science Education to arrange for trainee teacher membership and familiarise yourself with the support and resources available.
• Remind yourself of some typical school practical’s by watching the video resources.
• Visit the Royal Society of Chemistry and engage with the available professional development for non Chemistry specialists.
• Visit the Ogden Trust and engage with the available professional development for non Physics specialists.
• Read and practice some Wow Science experiments that can be used in the classroom!
• Collect examples of Science in action from everyday examples and news articles.

Eligibility & Funding

What qualifications do I need to train to be a biology teacher?

To train to teach biology, you will need:

GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above in English and maths
A bachelor’s degree in any subject
A keen interest in, and passion for, biology
If we think you might need to top up your biology knowledge, we might recommend that you to undertake some subject knowledge enhancement before you start your teacher training

What funding is available to me to train to be a biology teacher?

If you choose to train to teach biology through a Teacher Apprenticeship, a grant will be paid directly to your employing school to support paying your wages (paid according to the unqualified teacher pay scale). This route will mean that neither you or your employer need to pay tuition fees as this will be funded through the apprenticeship levy.

A tax-free bursary of £25,000 is available for eligible trainee biology teachers on the fee funded route.
You can get a bursary or scholarship alongside a tuition fee and maintenance loan.
You may also be able to get extra funding support if you're a parent/carer or disabled.
Non-UK citizens without indefinite leave to remain in the UK are unlikely to be eligible for funding. You can find out more about fees and financial support available for non-UK citizens.

What funding is available to my employing school?

If you choose to train to teach biology through a Teacher Apprenticeship, a grant will be paid directly to your employing school to support paying your wages (paid according to the unqualified teacher pay scale).

Secondary specialism	Cost of training	Unqualified Teacher Pay scale	Employer grant
Biology	Levy-funded	£20,598	£16,000

The Application Process

What is the application process like?

You can apply directly through our website below. After an initial check, we will then contact you to arrange an interview. Once a successful interview has been completed and you have accepted a place to train to teach with BPN, we will then search for a school placement for you (if you do not already have a school that is willing to support your training).

How can I prepare for a secondary teacher training interview?

Consider why you want to teach in a secondary school and why you want to train to teach your subject
Reflect on why you've chosen to apply for either the teacher apprenticeship or fee-funded route
Identify some personal qualities or characteristics that you possess that would make you a suitable secondary teacher
Think about some examples of skills or knowledge from your education or work history that you could share at interview that demonstrate your potential to train to teach, e.g. your knowledge of your chosen subject, previous experience of working with children or young people etc
Familiarise yourself with the Secondary National Curriculum and your chosen subject's Programme of Study and use these to identify your strengths and areas for development in terms of your subject knowledge
Research lesson plans and resources that are available for teaching your chosen subject using Oak National Academy or BBC Bitesize as a starting point
Brush up on your literacy and numeracy skills so you are well-prepared for the Maths and Written Tasks
Where possible, talk to current teachers or trainees so you can find out more about the teaching profession and the role of a secondary school teacher
Research current issues in education using Schools Week or TES and think about how these might affect pupils, teachers and schools. Prepare any questions that you want to ask us about the Secondary ITT programme and/or training to teach
Think about whether there's any important information that you need to share with us that would help you to access the programme, if you are offered a place. This could include reasonable adjustments, a learning support plan, or anything else you feel you may need support with.

How do I train to become a biology teacher?

First, you will need to decide which programme best suits your needs. We have two programmes available to budding biology teachers, the Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship and Fee-funded Initial Teacher Training (ITT).

Both programmes are school-centred in that the majority of your training will occur in school as you learn on the job. However, there are key differences when it comes to funding and salary. You can compare the two programmes looking at the respective programme structures below.