Head of Geography

Geography enjoys significant popularity at Dunottar, with a considerable number of students pursuing AQA Geography at both KS4 and KS5. We are excited to announce the search for an exceptional and inspiring Head of Geography to lead this thriving and collegial department. We are in search of a proactive leader capable of shaping the department's strategic vision, advancing the curriculum, and nurturing an environment that promotes curiosity, critical thinking, and a genuine passion for the subject. The ideal candidate will align with the goals and values of both the Geography department and Dunottar School, playing a crucial role in enhancing academic excellence.

Fieldwork plays a vital role in our educational framework, and the Head of Geography will be responsible for the planning and execution of diverse and enriching field trips, both during and outside school hours, ensuring these activities enhance student learning and engagement.

The successful applicant will demonstrate strong leadership qualities, vision, and enthusiasm. They will mentor and develop team members, encourage high-quality teaching and learning, and engage fully in the school’s co-curricular and enrichment programs. We welcome applications from seasoned subject leaders as well as ambitious individuals looking for their first leadership role. Part-time applications may be considered based on the flexibility offered. In return, we provide the advantages of working within a vibrant, supportive, and collaborative school environment.

Key Responsibilities

Learning and Teaching
- Provide strategic direction for teaching and learning within the Geography department, ensuring a high standard of imaginative and academically rigorous provision at all key stages.
- Oversee the development, review, and implementation of curriculum planning, schemes of work, and assessment frameworks, ensuring they are coherent, progressive, and in line with school and exam-board standards.
- Exemplify outstanding classroom practice, setting high expectations for teaching quality and student engagement.
- Assess and evaluate teaching and learning quality through lesson observations, work reviews, student feedback, and assessment data.
- Lead departmental initiatives to boost attainment, utilizing student progress data to identify trends and implement effective intervention strategies.
- Ensure the effective use of departmental resources, including digital learning tools, textbooks, and fieldwork materials.
- Cultivate a culture of academic curiosity, encouraging students to think independently, engage critically, and develop a love for Geography.
- Support teachers in the department by providing guidance, coaching, and professional assistance to promote strong pedagogical practices.

Pastoral
- Uphold and promote the school’s pastoral vision and expectations within the department, ensuring Geography classrooms are inclusive, safe, and supportive environments.
- Aid tutors and teachers in monitoring the well-being, behavior, and academic progress of students within the department.
- Act as a positive role model, demonstrating professional conduct in line with the Teachers’ Standards and the ethos of Dunottar School.
- While the post-holder may also serve as a Form Tutor (depending on timetable allocation), their pastoral influence will extend throughout the department.

General Responsibilities
- Lead the organization and delivery of Geography-related co-curricular and enrichment activities, including academic clubs, competitions, and guest speaker events.
- Oversee the planning, risk assessments, and execution of field trips and visits, ensuring they enhance the curriculum and comply with school policies.
- Ensure departmental adherence to school policies, including behavior, rewards and sanctions, assessment, marking, and reporting.
- Maintain effective communication with parents, assisting colleagues during parents’ evenings and addressing subject-specific inquiries as necessary.
- Chair departmental meetings, coordinating agendas, minutes, and follow-up actions.
- Manage departmental administration, including budgeting, ordering resources, and overseeing displays.
- Support school-wide events, including assessment days, taster days, open events, and duties as required.
- Undertake any additional responsibilities reasonably requested by senior leadership, particularly those related to curriculum development or departmental management.

Professional Development
- Lead the professional development of Geography staff by identifying training needs and facilitating growth opportunities, including mentoring Early Career Teachers (ECTs) where applicable.
- Contribute to whole-school continuing professional development (CPD), sharing best practices and supporting initiatives that enhance teaching and learning.
- Actively engage in personal professional development to keep subject knowledge and pedagogical expertise current.
- Guide the department's contribution to annual development planning, including strategic goals, self-evaluation, and improvement priorities.
- Participate in and support staff appraisal processes, providing constructive and developmental feedback for departmental colleagues.

Subject-Specific Responsibilities
- Ensure the Geography curriculum is ambitious, engaging, and comprehensive, allowing students of all abilities to meet high expectations.
- Maintain robust subject knowledge, including familiarity with current geographical issues, pedagogical research, and exam-board requirements.
- Quality-assure internal assessments, ensuring consistency, fairness, and alignment with GCSE and A-Level standards.
- Oversee and enhance fieldwork provision, ensuring all students acquire essential geographical skills and benefit from meaningful educational visits, both local and residential.
- Advocate for Geography across the school, highlighting the subject's relevance, contemporary significance, and academic value.
- Adjust departmental priorities as necessary to ensure responsiveness to curriculum changes, school initiatives, and national developments in Geography education.

Person Specification

Qualifications
- A history of excellent academic achievements, including a relevant honours degree.
- PGCE/QTS.
- Evidence of ongoing professional development relevant to Geography and/or middle leadership.
- Capability to lead and ensure the quality delivery of AQA Geography at GCSE and A-Level.

Skills and Knowledge
- Strong and comprehensive Geography subject knowledge across KS3, GCSE, and A-Level.
- Proven ability (or clear potential) to lead, develop, and inspire a team of colleagues.
- Ability to design and refine an ambitious, coherent, and well-sequenced Geography curriculum.
- Proficiency in modeling high-quality classroom practice and aiding others in improving teaching and learning.
- Excellent organizational, administrative, and ICT skills, including effective management of departmental systems and resources.
- Strong communication skills: able to convey information clearly, sensitively, and professionally to students, staff, parents, and external partners.
- Capability to analyze data to identify trends, monitor progress, and implement effective interventions.
- Ability to collaborate effectively across the department and the wider school.

Attitudes and Personal Qualities
- Committed to the ethos, values, and strategic vision of Dunottar School.
- A strong commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
- Willingness to lead and contribute to an active co-curricular program, including clubs, competitions, trips, and fieldwork.
- High expectations for pupil achievement, personal development, and conduct.
- A proactive leader, fully dedicated to delivering a busy annual program of academic and enrichment events, including those that may occur during evenings, weekends, or holidays.
- Commitment to best practices in pastoral support and student welfare.
- Personal and professional integrity, with the ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with the warmth and presence to foster positive relationships with students, colleagues, and parents.
- High standards of personal presentation and professionalism.
- A collaborative team player possessing leadership qualities, flexibility, and a reflective mindset.
- Excellent attention to detail, capable of self-direction, prioritization, and initiative.
- A positive, enthusiastic, and energetic approach to school life.
- Ability to think creatively and imaginatively, contributing to the ongoing development of the department.
- Ambitious and aspirational for both students and the continued advancement of the Geography department and the entire school.
- Commitment to continuous professional development and a willingness to undertake role-relevant training.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we reserve the right to appoint a suitable candidate before the advertised deadline.