Head of Geography

Birkenhead School, founded in 1860, is an HMC Independent Day School providing education for boys and girls drawn from the whole of the Wirral and as far afield as Chester and North Wales. 

Situated in the leafy suburb of Oxton, the School enjoys excellent facilities. The main campus has a ‘village green’ atmosphere, with classrooms and laboratories looking out over the cricket square. Recent capital developments have included a new landscaped playground area and an outdoor classroom. There are ongoing and substantial investments in ICT facilities. In addition to the main campus, the School owns 17 acres of playing fields on two sites nearby – the primary one being McAllester Field on Bidston Road. 

Birkenhead School prides itself on being a family school and this has been greatly strengthened by the opening of the Nursery in 2006. It is very attractive to parents to have all their children in one school and it is a great advantage for the school to be able to establish strong, long-lasting relationships with families.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and dynamic candidate with relevant experience to lead our Geography Department.

Geography is studied by all students in years 7-9. The department continues to develop diverse and contemporary schemes of work that address many of the issues facing the world in the twenty first century, and has good take-up at GCSE level, with around half of students opting to further their studies in the subject. The department prides itself on challenging and extending all students, with many students going on to study at top universities, including Oxford and Cambridge.

The Head of Department is responsible for the overall performance of the Department and will report to the Assistant Head (Teaching and Learning) on all aspects of the department.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead, manage and develop the department to ensure it achieves the highest possible standards of excellence in all activities, including personal organisation and administration.

• Be accountable for student progress and development within the subject area, ensuring the provision of an appropriately broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum.

• Hold regular meetings of the department, both formal and informal, sharing common learnings and opportunities. To share national initiatives, whole school issues and teaching methods; invigorating morale, and establishing team spirit.

•    Development of appropriate syllabuses and schemes of work, and the management and improvement of the department's resources.  

• Analyse and evaluate performance data and examination results, communicating with the SLT and department members.

• Lead the team in all aspects of people management, including absence, learning and development, health, safety and wellbeing. Hold regular performance conversations/professional review with each member of the department, feeding into the School review process. 

• Encourage and make provision for the professional development of the team. 

• Develop a department academic extension programme to stretch, challenge and inspire students. Including active membership of relevant bodies, the Geographical Association (GA), for example.

• Keep abreast of developments in the subject, maintaining contacts with other schools, exam boards and professional associations. 

• Ensure the department monitors the progress and learning of students, for example by comparing performances of parallel groups; ensuring appropriate testing is conducted and that marking is swiftly and competently undertaken. 

The ideal candidate will:

• Have a secure knowledge and understanding of own subject/curriculum area including current developments in teaching and learning

• Have QTS/PGCE qualification

• Have prior teaching experience at Key Stages 3, 4, and 5.

• Be an excellent classroom practitioner with evidence of good teaching skills, leading to consistently high standards of achievement

• Be enthusiastic, confident and diligent.

• Develop and maintain good relationships with students and colleagues.

• Have a sound understanding and awareness of Safeguarding procedures.

• Develop creative and innovative teaching techniques

• Be IT literate to support teaching and learning.

• Inspire staff and students through action.

This is a permanent full-time position. The post holder will be required to contribute to co-curricular opportunities and work as necessary to carry out the duties of the role. All staff are expected to attend all training days.

We will value and support your contribution to School life and in return provide you with excellent rewards;  

• Working with fantastic young students

• Working as part of a committed team

• Membership of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme

• Term time is 34 weeks

• School fee discount for children of permanent staff

• Free use of the fully equipped on-site gym

A letter of application indicating skills and experience, together with a completed application form, including the names and email addresses of at least two referees, should be sent for the attention of the Headmaster via: chw@birkenheadschool.co.uk

As part of our responsibility to safeguard children, the role is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check which will be requested prior to appointment.

The closing date for applications: Friday 7th May 2021