Deputy Head of Geography

Swanshurst is an ‘Outstanding School’ for girls with 1852 students on roll aged 11-19 years.  We offer excellent support and CPD for staff at all stages of their career.  ‘Swanshurst School has been a great environment for my first term as an NQT.  The support I have received from my department and the mentoring team has been amazing and is ongoing.  I couldn’t wish for a better place to spend the first of hopefully many years of teaching.’ (NQT)

Ofsted (2017) found pupils at Swanshurst to be “happy, well cared for and that they secure excellent academic and personal outcomes” they described the girls as “polite, respectful and courteous”.  Needless to say, we are incredibly proud of them and of all our staff who contribute to the “purposeful learning culture within the school that characterises the work of staff and pupils”

The geography department is a highly successful one, consistently achieving attainment and progress measures above the school and national averages at both GCSE and A level. Uptake of the subject at GCSE is strong and growing further, with a significant increase in student numbers in the last 2 years, to make it our largest humanities cohort. BTEC travel and tourism is also a successful course at KS4 and delivered by all of the teaching team. We want a dynamic and enthusiastic teacher and leader who can work effectively as part of a strong team in our continuous strive for excellence. The ideal candidate will be a well-motivated, hardworking and reflective practitioner. 

So, if you are an excellent practitioner, and would like to join us in our continuing journey, then please read on.

We are looking to appoint a new or experienced leader of Geography who is passionate about enthusing our students with their subject and the vital role it plays in their education, to enable them to understand their place in an ever - changing world. This role requires someone who is passionate about making a difference to the lives of our students by providing them with the knowledge and skills necessary to be an active, healthy citizen in society.

The successful candidate will work closely with the head of department to lead on the following areas:

• Leading and being the expert on identified courses or key stages in accordance with the latest guidelines and specifications

• Sequencing the curriculum and writing schemes of work that fulfil school requirements

• Leading and coordinating all aspects of the delivery and quality assurance of the curriculum for identified courses or key stages

• Working in collaboration with other departments to share outstanding practice

• Leading on training staff on new curriculum developments and school teaching and learning priorities

• Develop and deliver training to staff to develop subject knowledge and pedagogical subject knowledge

• Deputise for head of department in their absence

This post is covered by Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) and therefore the ability to speak fluent spoken English is an essential requirement for this role.

Swanshurst School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Necessary safeguarding checks will be undertaken. Conditions relating to amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, 1975 (2013 and 2020) are set out within our application form

For further details and an application form please contact Diana Atkinson on 0121 464 2409, email diana.atkinson@swans.bham.sch.uk. Applicants requesting an online application form must also submit a signed copy of their application either at the point of being called for interview or as soon as possible after the closing date.