Teacher of Geography & Outdoor Education (Full-Time)

Dover College is looking to appoint a dynamic, ambitious and inspirational teacher to lead our excellent Geography provision and champion our commitment to Outdoor Education. This vacancy could suit either an NQT or a more experienced teacher looking to broaden their experience.

Geography is a popular option in the exam years and is compulsory in the new curriculum at KS3. As a Geography teacher, you will be expected to be innovative in approach inside and outside the classroom and there is considerable flexibility with the content of the curriculum at KS3. The ethos is to think differently and embrace skills-based learning at all levels.

Last year, there was a very popular trip to Iceland and in the past there have been trips to the Jurassic Coast and the Isle of Arran as well as regular local field trips investigating rural settlements, urban land use patterns, the coast and the River Dour. The DofE programme at the College is popular and Geography field trips could be integrated with DofE expeditions.

Field work and Outdoor Education are seen as an important component of the provision of Geography but there is also a strong international element helped by the many different backgrounds and culture of the pupils.

The successful candidate will work with the Head of Leadership and Service to ensure that the quality of Outdoor Education is at its very best and with the Head of Humanities to ensure that the delivery of Geography is fast-paced, contemporary and innovative.

Applicants should possess excellent communication and organisational skills, be hard working, flexible and professional.  They should have high expectations of students, colleagues and self, displaying energy and enthusiasm in and out of the classroom, contributing to the school’s overall success.  A willingness to contribute to other areas of school life is essential.

Since many students at the College are EAL speakers, the successful applicant should be particularly adept at differentiating for EAL speakers and supporting the development of English skills through the delivery of the Geography curriculum.

Qualifications

• Mountain Training:  Lowland leader, Hill and Moorland Leader, Mountain Leader

• Outdoor specific First aid course of at least 16 hours (in date)

• Driving Licence and a Minibus driver with “Wild Country” minibus driving experience

Essential Criteria

• Familiarity with the DofE programme and the duties of DofE Leader and Verifier roles.

• EAAS (Expedition Assessor Accreditation Scheme) status

• Assessor Accreditation Gold (in date – 5 years’ expiration)

• Practical experience of leading, supervising and assessing Gold expeditions (in Wild Country)

• Be prepared to attend CPD training following the DofE Modular Training Framework

• Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations

• Outdoor-loving Leadership skills and multi-tasking abilities

• Ability to be thorough and to pay attention to details.

• The ability to work well with others as well as the ability to work on your own

• Demonstrate Soft “People” skills – especially; patience, empathy, understanding

• D1 Minibus driving certification and experience

• High degree of personal physical fitness and stamina alongside good eyesight and hearing

• Technical ability to ensure all equipment and facilities are safe and fit for purpose and the ability to, verbally and in writing, explain safety procedures.

Desirable Criteria

• Skills to run and assess Gold DofE participants for explorer level first aid courses.

• Knowledge of instructing in specialist areas and with specialist equipment such as climbing and rope-work. 

• The ability to design suitable courses for young people.

• Excellent communication and organisational skills

• Flexible and able to adapt to change; to manage unexpected and emergency situations.

• Being able to use IT – hand-held electronic devices for navigation and communication - especially.

• Understand that the work will involve evening and weekends

• Teaching or Youth Work experience.

• Personal skills of: enthusiasm, energy, professionalism, positive role-modelling and a good sense of humour!

• Good foreign language skills will be a useful advantage

The appointed person would need to have the following (NGB) National Governing Body qualifications in order to extend our Outdoor provision:

• Mountain biking: Mountain Bike Instructors’ Award Scheme (MIAS) / BSCA Mountain Bike Leader

• Sailing: Small inland waters RYA Dinghy Instructor/ Large inland lakes RYA Senior Instructor/ Sheltered Coastal Waters (Dinghy) RYA Senior Instructor with Tidal Endorsement / Sheltered Coastal Waters (Keelboat) RYA Keelboat Instructor / Open Sea (Yachts) RYA Day Skipper or Yacht Master/ Life-saving certification

• Kayaking/Canoeing: Sheltered Inland Waters (BCU) British Canoe Union Level 2 Coach / Rivers and Sheltered Coastal Waters BCU Level 3 Coach/ Life-saving certification

• Horse Riding: British Horse Society Riding Instructor / Equine First Aid qualification

Applications should consist of a CV, covering letter and a Dover College application form stating two referees.

As the information contained on the form is used during the selection process, it is essential that you complete all sections as fully as possible. If there is not enough space provided on the form, please continue on a separate sheet of paper. On each additional sheet that you use, please write your name and the post applied for, together with the section that you are answering.

Applications should be made by post to the School address, or by email to the Headmaster – headmaster@dovercollege.org.uk