Head of Geography

West Kirby Grammar School, Wirral, Merseyside, CH48 5DP

19 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2025

• Closing date

  24 February 2025 at 9am

• Date listed

  29 January 2025

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher
  • Head of department or curriculum
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
• Subject: Geography
• Working pattern: Full time: 32.5 hours per week Monday to Friday
• Contract type: Permanent
• Pay scale: M1 to UPS3
• Additional allowances:

  TLR 2c £7,847

What skills and experience we're looking for

The Governors of this exceptional Grammar School wish to appoint a well-qualified and enthusiastic Head of Geography for September 2025. This is a full-time, permanent post. The ability to teach Geography at both GCSE and A-level is essential. A strong degree in Geography with the ability to confidently teach the physical geography aspects of the GCE A-level Geography course is sought, although candidates with expertise in other areas are welcome to apply.

The Geography department at WKGS is a vibrant and dynamic place to work. We are seeking an inspiring individual to lead with energy and creativity, fostering a passion for geography and global understanding within our student body. Central to this role is a commitment to learning outside of the classroom. We are looking for a candidate who can provide students with opportunities to see their geographical learning in action through trips, fieldwork, and innovative extra-curricular initiatives that connect classroom theory with real-world applications.

A completed application form and letter addressing the content of the person specification, no longer than two sides of A4, should be submitted to office@wkgs.net for the attention of Mr S. Clarke, Headteacher

We are looking to attract candidates with the qualifications, skills and experience detailed below:

E: Essential D: Desirable

1. Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in Geography, with the ability to confidently teach the physical geography aspects of the GCE A-level Geography course (E)
• QTS (secondary phase) (E)
• Further degree or related qualification (D)

2. Experience

• Leadership experience in a secondary school (E)
• Successful delivery of Geography at Advanced Level (E)
• Organisation and leadership of fieldwork and geography-related trips (E)
• Experience of managing others’ continued professional development (D)

3. Knowledge and Skills

• Detailed knowledge of curriculum design and implementation (E)
• Ways to inspire students through fieldwork and external learning opportunities (E)
• Ways to assess work over time and monitor this at a department level (E)
• Excellent understanding of best pedagogical practice to ensure ambition and challenge for all (E)
• Develop the use of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) (D)
• Use interactive technology to enhance teaching (D)
• An understanding of sustainability education and its application (D)

4. Special Requirements

• A belief in the potential of all students to perform at the highest level (E)
• Empathy with students and colleagues (E)
• Enhanced DBS clearance and identity checks (E)
• Willingness to contribute to the wider life of the school (E)
• Excellent references (E)
• Professional approach to conduct, attendance, and dress (E)

What the school offers its staff

• Greater PPA time than national recommendation
• Deadlines well publicised and staff consulted on the annual calendar
• Reduced data collections to ensure no collections for data’s sake
• Considerate approach to lesson observations, drop-ins and learning walks
• Headteacher ‘Open Door’ Policy at all times
• Opportunities for professional development always considered
• Dedicated classroom wherever possible for teaching staff
• Access for all staff to self-referral Health & Wellbeing Support package
• In-house Wellbeing Manager available to all staff, and Staff Wellbeing Committee that monitors and responds to staff needs.
• A flexible and generous approach to family appointments and child events
• On site car parking available
• Complimentary tea and coffee
• Regular social events organised by the Social Committee

Flexible working opportunities

• PPA time may be taken off the school site, subject to following the school policy
• A flexible and generous approach to family appointments and child events

Further details about the role

CV's or approaches from agencies are not accepted

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

Please download the application form using the link below, and once completed send to office@wkgs.net

CVs are not accepted.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Upload additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

Head of Geography.pdf - 892 KB (opens in new tab)

About West Kirby Grammar School

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary
• School size: 1225 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report (opens in new tab)
• School website: West Kirby Grammar School website (opens in new tab)
• Email address: office@wkgs.net
• Phone number: 0151 632 3449
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/west-kirby-grammar-school (opens in new tab)

A selective, all-girls grammar school with co-educational sixth form, providing Wirral and the wider region with an outstanding education since 1913.

Every student arrives at West Kirby Grammar School with a unique combination of talents, skills and aspirations – it’s our job to help each of our students to discover and nurture theirs.

We do this by providing pupils with a wealth of opportunities and choices, enabling everyone to find out what they enjoy and are good at. We create a caring and supportive environment, whilst at the same time allowing students to solve problems for themselves, ensuring that we develop resilient and enterprising learners.

We don’t believe that anyone is born with fixed abilities and intelligence. With the right teaching, support and motivation, children can grow and thrive in subjects they never considered themselves to be cut out for. And whilst our academic record speaks for itself, we know that students learn and develop both in and out of the classroom. That’s why we offer such a broad range of extra-curricular opportunities, through which pupils develop vital life skills and forge lasting friendships.

Because of all of this, our students leave us equipped to thrive in a complex world, ready to make a positive contribution locally and globally as tomorrow’s leaders.

Arranging a visit to West Kirby Grammar School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email office@wkgs.net.

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