Head of Geography

Head of Geography

Didcot Girls’ School & Didcot Sixth Form

Role commences: January / May 2023

Salary/allowances: MPS/UPS scale point + TLR2.3a (currently £6,694 per annum). Additional time per fortnight as leadership and management time.

Thank you for your interest in this exciting post. Application forms, other recruitment material and a copy of the school’s prospectus are available on the school website under the ‘Join Us’ tab.

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Didcot Girls’ School is a dynamic school. In December 2015, the school was judged to be Outstanding. As Ofsted recognised, we invest in all of our staff: ‘Staff have exceptional opportunities for professional development. Staff feel valued and really like working in the school. Morale is very high.'(Ofsted).

We are a values-driven school, committed to high quality teaching and learning and respectful relationships within an inclusive learning community. Developing stimulating and student-centred teaching and learning is at the centre of our school development work. We work hard to ensure that all girls’ education enables our students to develop confidence, leadership skills and high levels of aspiration.

Summer 2022 GCSE results were superb with 88% of all students achieving 4+ in English and Maths, and 72% doing the same at 5+. Results at A level in the mixed sixth form shared with our partner school, St Birinus School, are also extremely strong with 44% of grades awarded as A* or A and 68% achieving Grades A*-B. These results place us as one of the highest performing schools in the county.

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DGS Geography Department

The Geography department is staffed by an enthusiastic and talented group of four teaching staff, who are always keen to share ideas and resources. We are exceptionally collaborative and very well resourced, as a result of careful, strategic and iterative curriculum development over a number of years. The department is accommodated in specialist classrooms.

Results in the department are consistently strong with students at both GCSE and A level performing significantly about national averages and producing strong value-added performance.

Geography is a very popular choice at GCSE and A level. We typically have five groups at GCSE each year and two in each of Year 12 and Year 13. We currently follow AQA specifications at both key stages. _________________________________________________________________________

The Post

This is a key post in a strong and innovative department. We are looking for a candidate with the skills and desire to lead this successful department onto the next stage in its development and a teacher with a genuine and infectious passion for teaching Geography; a teacher with high expectations for all students whatever their prior attainment.

The successful applicant will have experience and a record of success at Key Stage 5 as well as the ability to teach KS3 and 4.

Excellent professional development and support will be available to the successful candidate.

For further information about the department, please email Frances Ashton on fashton@didcotgirls.oxon.sch.uk

Should you wish to tour the school in advance of an application, or for any general queries, please contact the Headteacher’s PA, Frances Adley at fadley@didcotgirls.oxon.sch.uk

Application Process

Please download and complete an application form from the school website (under ‘Join us’) - paying particular attention to the ‘Relevant skills and experience’ section - and send it to Frances Adley at vacancy@didcotgirls.oxon.sch.uk

Please also submit a written response (maximum 2 sides A4 at point 11) to the following:

·        ‘What skills and experience do I have which make me a strong candidate for this post and how would I implement what I see as the key parts of the role to support outstanding outcomes for students?’

The deadline for applications is as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed and considered for shortlisting on receipt. Interviews will take place on a rolling basis.

Please be aware that you will be required to bring your original degree certificate, proof of residence and your Disclosure and Barring Service or CRB certificate, if applicable, to your interview. 

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I thank you for your interest in this exciting post and wish you well with your application. 

Georgina Littler

Headteacher

Didcot Girls School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects staff working in all its schools to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check along with standard pre-employment safeguarding checks.

Please be aware that you will be required to bring your original qualification certificate(s), proof of residence and photographic ID to interview.

Didcot Girls School is an equal opportunities employer.