Teacher of Geography
Highgate School
Highgate, North London
- Expired
- Salary:
- Main salary scale: £35,216 - £55,567
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- September 2019
- Apply by:
- 26 February 2019
Job overview
An enthusiastic, well-qualified, and versatile teacher is required to teach Geography from Years 7 to 13 in this selective coeducational London day school. This is an exciting opportunity for either an experienced classroom practitioner who enjoys the company of bright, ambitious and well-motivated pupils, or for a well-qualified NQT. Applicants need the imagination and ambition to challenge pupils to enjoy their subject, and the insight and enthusiasm to convey its intricacies at the highest levels. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the pastoral and co-curricular life of the school, both aspects of which are particularly valued at Highgate, and to the School’s various partnership schemes which include the London Academy of Excellence Tottenham.
The School has in place DfE recognised arrangements for the Induction Year and the confirmation of NQT status and has considerable experience of and success in guiding entrants to the profession to qualified status. For all teachers new to Highgate, regardless of experience, there is a strong and supportive framework of induction to the School.
The Curriculum
Our main departmental aim is to ensure that pupils at all levels have a full understanding of the diverse nature of our subject and develop into passionate and responsible global citizens. We teach beyond the specification, at all ages.
All pupils at Highgate study Geography in Years 7 to 9. In Year 10, Geography is a popular GCSE option (Edexcel IGCSE), and there are currently six sets in Year 10 (94 pupils) and six in Year 11 (99 pupils). The department has strong results at GCSE, with 76% achieving 9/8 in 2018. Many choose to develop their interest further: at A-Level (CIE) Geography is increasingly popular, with three sets each in Year 12 and Year 13. Standards in the Sixth Form are similarly high with 85% of the last cohort achieving A*/A grades. Many of our A-Level candidates choose to continue Geography each year at an undergraduate level.
The Department is currently preparing to teach the Cambridge International A-Level specification at A Level from September 2019. Topics to be covered include Atmosphere & Weather, Hydrology & fluvial geomorphology, Arid environments, Hazardous environments, Population, Migration, Settlement dynamics, Environmental management and Economic Geography.
Fieldwork constitutes an important part of the curriculum, including cross-curricular Key Stage Three trips and GCSE residential data-collection fieldwork courses. A-Level pupils participate in residential trips to Field Studies Centres as well as on day trips within the Greater London area. International trips are at least biennial and run at GCSE and A Level: in recent years, pupils have been to Iceland and Morocco.
The Department
The Department is equipped to a high standard. There are four classrooms, each of which has smartboard connected to desktop computer; one of the rooms is currently being converted into a computer suite to facilitate our use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). There is a designated departmental office, as well as wireless network access and a set of department-based iPads for use both in fieldwork and to support our growing application of e-learning techniques.
The subject and department have expanded and changed significantly in the last few years and one of our key objectives is to maintain and boost this development, and to ensure that the highest quality of teaching continues at all levels.
Teachers at Highgate enjoy a welcoming, comfortable and exceptionally well-resourced environment and are provided with significant assistance from a range of support staff. Salaries are competitive. The School pays the employer’s contribution to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. Terms are shorter than in the maintained sector. Staff have free access to the School’s sports facilities.
Mark Beloe, the Head of Geography, or James Newton, Deputy Head (Academic) are very happy to answer any questions (mark.beloe@highgateschool.org.uk or james.newton@highgateschool.org.uk)
Attached documents
About Highgate School
Established in 1565, Highgate is now one of the UK’s leading co-educational independent schools, with around 1,700 pupils aged 3-18.
Academic excellence
Academic standards at Highgate remain high, as our most recent exam results demonstrate. In 2023 over 50% of all our GCSE entries were graded 9, and 78.9% were 9 or 8. Within our Sixth Form, in 2023, 46.5% of all our exam entries were awarded an A* at A level (or Pre-U equivalent) and 82.8% were A* or A. In 2023, 30 pupils matriculated at either Cambridge or Oxford colleges, whilst others took up places at prestigious Art, Architecture and Medical schools. Every year, the vast majority of our leavers enter Russell Group universities or other elite Higher Education establishments, including in the US and Canada.
Beyond the classroom
Alongside their studies, Highgate pupils are offered a wide range of co-curricular activities which enhance both their childhood experience and their future aspirations. We are also exceptionally fortunate when it comes to sport with extensive facilities, excellent staff and a wide range of activities available.
At Highgate, we encourage social responsibility through our charity work, both locally and further afield. For example, we are the principal education sponsor for the London Academy of Excellence Tottenham and support Great Lakes High School in Uganda.
Location
Our School is situated in one of the most attractive and popular areas of North London, a short distance from central London and adjacent to Hampstead Heath. We endeavour to be a sustainable school and are well served by good public transport links.
Management
Our Head, Mr Adam Pettitt, leads our Senior School and is also responsible for the overall direction of our Pre-Preparatory and Junior Schools.
Please note that you are wholly responsible for fact checking in respect of the information provided by schools. Please also check for the latest visa and work permit requirements that may apply. Tes is not responsible for the content of advertisements or the policies adopted by advertising schools. Tes asks that all schools follow Tes' Fair Recruitment Policy.