Temporary Teacher of Geography (Maternity Cover)
Heckmondwike Grammar School, Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, WF16 0AH20 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
18 March 2026 at 9am
Date listed
26 February 2026
Job details
Job role
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4
Subjects
- Geography, History, Religious education
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Fixed term - 1 September 2026 to Easter 2027 in the first instance - Maternity or parental leave cover
Pay scale
- Commensurate with skills and experience
What skills and experience we're looking for
Are you an innovative, enthusiastic and passionate Teacher ofGeography?
Then this will be the job for you.
This post provides a unique opportunity to work within a high-performing and growing 11 to 18 grammar school with a large sixth form and exceptionalstudents.
We are proud to be Secondary School of the Year for Academic Excellence 2025, Ranked No 1 in the North of England - The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2025.
Temporary 0.75 - 1.0FTE from 1 September 2026 to Easter 2027 in the first instance.
We are open to explore and consider other combinations of this staffing aspart of the application process to recruit the strongest candidates. Please indicate on your application form if your preference is for 0.75 or 1.0FTE.
Department Information
We are looking to appoint an outstanding temporary Teacher of Geography for a suitably qualified candidate.
The successful candidate will teach Geography up to GCSE alongside some KS3 RE and History. Hence, experience teaching Geography is essential, and experience teaching RE and/or History would be highly desirable. All lessons for RE and History would be fully planned and resourced to support the development and wellbeing of the successful candidate.
The Geography department consists of a dedicated group of teachers who have a passion for teaching the subject. We currently have two Geography specialists working under the direction the Subject Leader. The department is well equipped with resources, with spacious and inviting classrooms at the heart of the school, 2 study rooms with computers that students and staff freely use, a bank of iPads for the department, and recent investment in new fieldwork equipment that enables us to offer comprehensive, innovative experiences to our students.
We are proud of the many opportunities our students get to experience the subject beyond the classroom. This includes fieldwork experiences in every year group, and extra visits to London, Iceland, and Italy. We are also incredibly proud of the fantastic results we achieve every year, placing us as one of the best geography departments in the country, for all school types.
At present, Geography groups are taught in mixed ability groups at Key Stages 3 and 4. We currently have at least four groups in each year group at GCSE and one group in each year group at A Level. We are consistently one of top 3 most popular option choices for Year 8 students and have had a growth in A-Level numbers in recent years. This demonstrates our status as a well-respected department in a very acclaimed setting.
The department is always looking at ways of developing its curriculum and widening the experience for students so expert subject knowledge and a passion to lead extra-curricular activities in Geography are highly desirable, alongside any experience or expertise in GIS.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed teacher—whether experienced or an Early Career Teacher (ECT)—who is eager to develop their teaching expertise in an outstanding school.
You will need to:
- believe in our school values of Respect, Responsibility and Excellence and follow our school ethos embedded in our motto of ‘Nil Sine Labore’ - Nothing Without Work
- be a reflective practitioner wanting to develop and hone your craft to the highest level
- be an inspirational teacher who builds excellent relationships and motivates students
Responsibilities
Specific responsibilities are outlined in a detailed job description.
In addition to this, teachers at Heckmondwike Grammar School are expected to be effective and reflective professionals who challenge and support all pupils to achieve their best. They should:
- Inspire confidence, build team commitment, and engage and motivate students.
- Think analytically about their work and take positive action to improve the quality of pupils’ learning.
- Encourage high standards of academic and personal achievement.
- Act as positive role models for students.
- Contribute actively to the policies and aspirations of the school and the Geography department.
What You Will Bring to the Role
- A degree in a relevant discipline and a recognised teaching qualification.
- Up-to-date knowledge of the11-18 curriculum and educational best practices.
- A strong classroom presence with the ability to inspire and motivate students from KS3 to KS5.
- Effective ICT skills and an understanding of how technology can enhance teaching and learning.
- A willingness to contribute to extracurricular activities and the wider school community.
- Confidence in contributing to curriculum development, including schemes of work and teaching materials.
- Energy, enthusiasm, and a passion for Geography.
- Asuitability to work with children, with a commitment to safeguarding and student well-being.
What the school offers its staff
What We Offer
- Motivated, ambitious students who are eager to learn and succeed.
- A supportive and creative team dedicated to student progress.
- Well-equipped, specialist classrooms to enhance teaching and learning.
- A learning-centred school where best practice is a priority.
- Comprehensive CPD opportunities to support professional development and career progression.
- A vibrant, collaborative community of like-minded professionals.
Why Should You Apply?
Heckmondwike Grammar School is a unique learning environment, home to students who are eager to learn, ambitious in their aspirations, and keen to make the most of their educational experience.
We take pride in:
- Our diverse school community, which consistently achieves exceptional results.
- A school culture that supports students' academic success and personal development.
- Strong relationships between staff and students, creating a positive learning environment.
- High expectations, which drive students to excel.
We also offer:
- A competitive salary.
- Membership of theT eachers’ Pension Scheme.
- A range of well-being benefits.
If you are interested in this position, then please visit the vacancies section of our website www.heckgrammar.co.uk/vacancies.
We look forward to receiving your application
Further information about the job
Protection of children:
Disclosure of criminal background of those with access to children.
All posts involving direct contact with children are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. However, amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975 (2013 & 2020) provide that certain convictions and cautions are ‘protected’. These are not subject to disclosure to employers and cannot be taken into account. Guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found on https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice.
Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide details of unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered prior to the date of the interview. You may be asked for further information about your criminal history during the recruitment process. If your application is successful, this self-disclosure information will be checked against information from the Disclosure and Barring Service before your appointment is confirmed.
Commitment to safeguarding
Safeguarding Statement:
Heckmondwike Grammar School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its
students and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
Full details regarding our Safeguarding Procedures can be found on our website in the Safeguarding section, alternatively, please contact Recruitment to obtain a copy.
Applying for the job
This job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Heckmondwike Grammar School
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1468 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Heckmondwike Grammar School website
- Email address
- djepsonnorth@heckgrammar.co.uk
We are delighted to have been named “Secondary School Of The Year”, “Soaring 57 places in the UK rankings to 77” out of approx 6000 secondary schools (state and independent) in the latest Sunday Times Parent Power Guide.
And for the second year running we are ranked No 2 in the North of England.
This is a fabulous accolade to the whole school community and just reward for years of hard work from staff, students and indeed parents.
The survey includes both GCSE and A level results and is nationally noted as a true measure of school performance using metrics of most interest to parents when selecting a school.
“Such accolades are very pleasing and we are delighted to be recognised, but they only come about because of the week in week out hard work from students and staff and I salute my colleagues and students, they are an exceptional team.” Mr Roberts, Headteacher.
Heckmondwike Grammar School is a unique school, with students who are eager to learn, keen to know more and want to enjoy their educational experiences. It is exceptional in many ways: a very diverse school community that produces results of the highest quality. We work effectively with our young people, really care about them and their futures and have an ultimate success measure of enabling them to proceed to where they want to go. Excellent relationships between staff and students are the norm, expectations are high and students perform very well as a consequence.
School location
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