POST:Head of Geography

RESPONSIBLE TO:

  • to be responsible directly to the head for all matters relating to the running of the department, and the development of the subject throughout the school.
  • All the responsibilities below are subject to the general duties and responsibilities contained in the Contract of Service and Articles of Employment.
  • The job description and allocation of particular responsibilities may be amended by agreement from time to time.

POST OBJECTIVE:

  • to manage all aspects of the teaching and learning process in Geography within the overall aims of the school.
  • to support members of the Geography department in all appropriate ways.
  • to offer support to the learning and pastoral needs of individual students through the school's pastoral policy and the school's aims and values.

DETAILS

BACKGROUND:

The Geography department is successful and well respected within the school, achieving excellent examination result. Geography is taught by two full time and two part members of staff.

There are two specialist Geography rooms in Charles Block (3 and 4) and a stock room. Lessons are taught as often as possible in these rooms.

Geography is taught in all years in the school in preparation for IGCSE, AS, A2 and Oxbridge entrance.

In Years 7, 8 and 9 the pupils are taught in tutor groups. The scheme of work includes both human and physical topics, taught on local, regional and global scales and with the integration of relevant skills and techniques. Pupils in years 7 and 8 take part in field visits to the Peak District and the Hockerton Housing Project respectively.

IGCSE Geography is an option yet there are over 50 girls in both Years 10 and 11 following the Cambridge IGCSE syllabus. A two day residential field course is organised which allows pupils to develop their geographical knowledge and to work on their geographical skills that will be tested in their alternative to fieldwork examination paper.

At AS and A2 the department follows the AQA syllabus. In Year 12 the students take part in a three day residential field course at the Cranedale Centre in North Yorkshire in preparation for the AS and A2 skills examinations. In year 13 they take part in a 2 day residential visit to explore regeneration in the London Docklands and Strafford.

All members of the department have the opportunity to teach at all levels and have a degree of autonomy in the selection of resources and presentation of lessons. The department is well equipped and has a comprehensive stock of textbooks, DVD’s and relevant resources which are shared and to which each member contributes.

The person appointed will need to show commitment to building upon the existing success of the department leading to further improvement in student performance, and demonstrate excellent management, communication and interpersonal skills.

JOB SPECIFICATION:

  • to be able to teach Geography to all levels of ability/age within the school.
  • the fostering of and support for the school's rules and guidelines, aims, values and ethos.
  • the implementation of all relevant aspects of school policies e.g. reports, homework, references, entries in year/option curriculum booklets etc.
  • the safety of pupils and staff in accordance with the school's Health and Safety Policy in liaison with the deputy head.
  • the planning, implementing, reviewing and developing of the curriculum within the framework of the National Curriculum and beyond, where appropriate, and post 16+ examination courses. Planning the future development of the subject within the department, according to changes nationally and/or within the school is also vital. This may include the initiation of new ideas and the introduction of new material in the interests of improving the effectiveness of the department. It is essential to be fully conversant with the requirements of the syllabus and to deliver those requirements in a stimulating and lively way to all members of the department.
  • the management and monitoring of the departmental budget.
  • the preparation of the departmental development plan and contribution to the whole school development plan.
  • the encouragement of departmental members to develop skills to meet the needs of current educational requirements by attendance at lectures, conferences, and relevant courses, having first discussed the feasibility of such action with the head.
  • the representation of the department in heads of department meetings and the dissemination of appropriate information to members of the department.
  • the organisation of the arrangement of teaching groups in consultation with the department and the liaison with the deputy head in all matters concerning the timetable.
  • the preparation of schemes of work, the departmental handbook and any other necessary documentation.
  • the liaison with form staff and the head, as appropriate, to ensure that the progress of each student in Geography is monitored.
  • the ensuring of consistent marking, assessment, monitoring recording in line with the school's policy on marking and recording for all term work and for all internal examinations. (Pupils' marks, records etc. should be kept for a minimum of 5 years).
  • the assisting of the head in the appointment of new staff to the department.
  • the induction and supervision of newly qualified teachers, any teachers new to the school and those joining the school on a temporary basis and the review of their work within the department. The development of all members of the department by supporting and delegating as appropriate. The delivery of the performance management policy as agreed with the relevant deputy head.
  • To encourage department members to keep up to date with teaching methods via publications e.g. from Geography Association.
  • the supervision of student teachers, when appropriate.
  • the holding of weekly departmental meetings, the keeping of minutes and their submission to the head and deputies at regular intervals, and the implementation of departmental decisions taken.
  • the supervision of the setting and marking of all internal Geography examinations and tests.
  • the organisation of external examination entries in Geography in liaison with the Examinations Secretary.
  • the liaison with the Internal Examinations Officer regarding internal examinations in Geography.
  • the overseeing of work provided for classes when members of the department are absent.
  • the keeping of an inventory of all departmental equipment, the submission to the head of requirements for books, equipment etc. and the oversight of departmental stock to see it is well used and properly cared for.
  • the oversight of the departmental section in the library and the liaison with the librarian concerning new stock.
  • the organisation of the department's contribution to the Open Morning.
  • the encouragement and organisation of activities and events associated with the subject e.g. lectures, exhibitions, visits, clubs, societies etc. and the organisation of pupil participation in internal and external events and competitions, as appropriate.
  • the organisation of appropriate trips and other extra-curricular visits in accordance with the school's policy on trips.
  • the reporting of departmental events and visits in an appropriate manner for publication on the website or school publications.
  • the provision of a lively and stimulating environment within the Geography building and within the departmental rooms.
  • the oversight of all equipment, resources and departmental areas and their updating as necessary.
  • the responsibility for the security and safe use of valuable items held by the department and the reporting to the deputy head of any damage to departmental equipment, furniture or fittings.
  • the responsibility for Health and Safety problems/risk assessment and the oversight of the safety of all students when being taught and making students themselves aware of safety.
  • submission of any concerns raised by the department to the school’s Health and Safety Committee.
  • the representation of the Department on the Health and Safety committee and on the Curriculum Committee.
  • the arrangements needed to ensure that pupils wear protective clothing and are aware of safety rules within the department and especially those relating to Geography.
  • the management of the development of suitable materials, including making provision of appropriate use of IT within the department to help with teaching and learning.
  • the establishment of positive working relationships with the relevant staff at Fairfield Preparatory School and Loughborough Grammar School.
  • the management and participation in the department's contribution to the extra-curricular activities in the school.
  • the attendance at all Parents' Evenings relevant to students taught.
  • the offering of Careers advice, when appropriate, to girls wishing to apply for Higher Education courses in Geography.
  • the preparation and writing of UCAS references for Y12 students as relevant.
  • the undertaking of other tasks relevant to the work of the department or the needs of the school, as these may arise (e.g. to serve as a form staff, when asked to do so).

Person Specification

  • Educated to at least degree level in Geography or related subject.
  • Experience of teaching 11 – 18 years range and a passion for Geography!
  • Experience of organising and leading residential field visits.
  • Competent in the use of ICT for teaching and learning purposes.
  • Competent in the use of ICT for recording and monitoring use.
  • Good team worker and team leader.
  • Effective and efficient communication skills.

Any other duties relating to the job as required from time to time by the Headmistress.

The successful applicant will be expected to take a part in assisting with extra-curricular activities promoting the department and within the school generally. Most full-time members of staff are form tutors where pastoral work, including some teaching of Personal and Social Education, is an important addition to the teaching of an academic subject.

Salary will be determined according to LES pay scales.

The post holder’s responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons with whom she/he comes into contact will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the school’s Child Protection Policy Statement at all times. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the school she/he must report any concerns to the school’s child protection officer.

Should you have any queries, having read these details, please do not hesitate to contact the school. You may want to visit our website at