Head of Department: Geography

Salary: TLR 2b (£5,107)

Required for: September 2024

Closing Date: 9am Tuesday 7th May, however we reserve the right to interview before the closing date

Interviews: Thursday 9th May

There is no school like JCoSS. Our unique atmosphere is felt as soon as you walk through the doors of our magnificent state of the art building. Our students are passionate, our staff are happy and our parents are proud to be JCoSS parents. Our latest Ofsted report summarised the school perfectly

-         Pupils treat others as equals, showing kindness and respect.

-         Very little learning time is lost to poor behaviour.

-         Pupils enjoy attending this ambitious, supportive and inspiring school.

-         Leaders have embedded an ethos that promotes tolerance and inclusion.

-         Pupils are encouraged to develop their own identity while learning to understand and celebrate that of others.

This Role: We are looking for a dynamic, inspiring Head of Geography who is passionate about promoting a love of enquiry and academic interest in Geography. The successful candidate will be enthusiastic and capable in developing the department, which works as a close-knit group, in sharing resources and strategies across all year groups. Geography is a popular option at A-level and GCSE and the Head of Department will lead the team in enthusing and preparing our students to study at the best universities in the country.

Geography is a progressive and innovative department which contributes fully to the School community and takes learning beyond the classroom, for example with the annual field trips at both GCSE and A-level. We need a confident and energetic colleague to lead this forward-thinking department which strives to maintain outstanding standards of teaching and to provide a challenging, relevant and rewarding learning experience for students of all ages and levels of attainment.

Our Ethos: If you think you know what working in a Jewish school might be like, be ready to think again. Our outward-looking and pluralist Jewish ethos combines an embrace of open-minded values with a deep love of the varied riches of Jewish tradition. The staff and leadership team includes different faiths and none at all levels, and the school has a culture of purposeful good humour and humanity. We are a school like no other.

Our Results: We have a track record of outstanding results. Students achieve excellent outcomes and make great progress. In 2023 46% of A level grades were at A*or A and more than 79% of Cambridge Technical grades were Distinction* or Distinction. 45% of GCSE grades were grade 7 or higher, with more than a quarter of the cohort achieving at least 7 GCSEs at grade 7 or better. Our ALPS grade has been consistently 2 at both A level and GCSE, and our ‘Progress 8’ score is consistently significantly above national average. Supported by a strong programme, students every year gain places at Oxbridge and for Medical and Veterinary Study, as well as for a wide range of specialisms and competitive courses at prestigious institutions.

Staff Benefits: We appoint on potential as well as experience, and we are committed to supporting staff development. Several non-teaching colleagues have trained with us as teachers; our rich CPL programme includes full induction for new teaching staff including NQTs, NPQH/SL/ML programmes, and financial support for MA courses, Action Research projects and many other opportunities. Additional responsibilities are always considered for suitable candidates and we offer NQTs employment for the last few weeks of the summer term. Our admissions policy includes priority places for the children of all staff*. Our website details a huge number and variety of staff wellbeing initiatives.

* (Children, Jewish and non-Jewish, of JCoSS staff who have a permanent contract of employment and have completed two years of service on the last day of the summer term of the academic year prior to application)

Our Location & Community: The school is in beautiful new £50m buildings overlooking the Green Belt. It is easily accessible from Northern, Piccadilly and Overground rail links, public buses run past the entrance and a school coach service (available to staff) serves our whole catchment area. We attract students from eloquent and supportive communities across North London and Hertfordshire. 

JCoSS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all its staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts are subject to satisfactory enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) clearance.

Note that we do not shortlist from CV alone.

For information, including an application pack, please click 'quick apply' or to arrange a confidential conversation, please contact Lara Samuels on recruitment@jcoss.barnet.sch.uk 

Shortlisted candidates will be notified by email and only shortlisted candidates may receive feedback.