Teacher of Geography or Head of Geography Department (Prep School)

This appointment is a superb opportunity for a dynamic and well-qualified teacher of geography to lead and manage a strong, well-resourced department. For the right candidate we would consider an outstanding Early Career Teacher for the teaching role to work under the supervision of a Head of Humanities. Culford School is academically selective within a deliberately broad framework. Top performing pupils work towards scholarships and exhibitions while we also provide full support to those with mild to moderate Specific Learning Difficulties

We are looking for a strong team player to grow the departmental resources and continue to develop our Enhanced Curriculum created to provide a more exciting and contemporary approach to preparing pupils for GCSE and beyond. Culford believes in career, professional and personal development and will seek to support the successful candidate in all areas. 

The role requires you to demonstrate an expertise in your subject, teaching geography from Year 5 up to and including 13+ scholarship level. The Head of Department would further develop the schemes of work, assessments and relevant materials for teaching throughout the school.

We also expect the successful candidate to contribute fully to the life of a busy boarding school. Our best lessons often take place outside the classroom and the working day: perhaps a chance conversation about shared interests or reading; or shared experiences on trips and visits. All staff support the boarders through activities and supervision and a few staff are residents either on site or in the house. Many colleagues contribute to the school’s sporting programme.

The position would suit an enthusiastic, dynamic and well-qualified teacher who is imaginative and forward thinking with a clear understanding of life in a busy Prep School and keen to work as part of an enthusiastic and committed team.

Curriculum: 

• Be passionate about teaching and try to actively promote pleasurable and successful learning so that each pupil is positively encouraged to develop to their full potential. 
• Teachers: contribute to the overall work of the Department as directed by the Head of Department. 
• Heads of Department: lead the department and support colleagues within the department 
• Attend/lead departmental meetings, parents’ meetings and other meetings as required. 
• Contribute to suitable schemes of work and select appropriate books and materials for pupils in liaison with the Head of Learning Development. 
• Plan lessons which have clear learning outcomes, enable swift progress, foster application and good behaviour, provide for different needs and make use of an appropriate range of methods and resources. 
• Mark work regularly in accordance with the school’s policies and maintain detailed records of learning and attendance for each set taught. 

Further details can be found on the Culford School website

Pastoral and Form Teacher responsibilities 

• Act as ambassador and professional advocate for the School, with strong personal credibility and the capacity to build relationships. 
• Offer activities as part of the extra-curricular programme. 
• Support the boarding programme and the busy life of a boarding school. 
• Pastoral care of pupils in their Form, keeping note of any pastoral issues on iSAMS. 
• Monitoring academic progress liaising with the subject teachers, Heads of Departments and Deputy Head, where necessary. 
• Teaching elements of the Learning for Life (PHSE) programme as requested by the Head of Department. 

Further details can be found on the Culford School website.

The Person

Our new colleague will be an inspirational and highly-motivated teacher with the following qualifications, experience, knowledge and personal qualities:

Qualifications and Experience 

• A good degree and teaching qualification with strong evidence of professional development. 
• A high degree of competency and experience of teaching pupils in Key Stage 2.

Skills and Knowledge 

• A passion for supporting pupils with a professional and motivational approach, demonstrating a clear understanding of what excellence looks like. 
• Excellent and effective teaching skills. 
• A commitment to, and knowledge of, the safeguarding of children. 
• A demonstrable enthusiasm for co-curricular opportunities central to life at Culford. 
• A research-informed knowledge of current educational issues, legislative issues and guidance in relation to working with young children. 
• The ability to prioritise with excellent time management and IT capabilities.

Personal 

• Fully supportive of the aims and ethos of an independent school. 
• Excellent written, spoken and listening skills. 
• A high level of flexibility with a ‘can do’ attitude and an openness to new ideas and practices. 
• Dynamic and approachable, able to put people at ease, reassure, guide, and explain. 
• Ability to deal confidently with pupils, staff and parents. 
• Understanding the age appropriate needs and concerns of young children and having natural empathy with them. 
• Innovative, hard-working, driven and determined. 
• Resilient with a good sense of humour. 
• The ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

To complete an application please visit culford.co.uk/about-us/work-for-us  attaching a supporting statement. Interviews will be held Thursday 26 May.

Culford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we expect all staff to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; pre-employment checks will be carried out, references will be sought and successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and other relevant checks with statutory bodies. 

We comply with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) code of practice and have a written policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders, both of which are available on request. As you have been shortlisted, you are required to declare any relevant convictions, adult cautions or other matters which may affect your suitability to work with children. As a result of amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (exceptions order 1975) in 2013 and 2020, some minor offences are now protected (filtered) and should not be disclosed to potential employers, and employers cannot take these offences into account. 

If you are unsure whether you need to disclose criminal information, you should seek legal advice or you may wish to contact Nacro or Unlock for impartial advice. There is more information on filtering and protected offences on the Ministry of Justice website.

Nacro - https://www.nacro.org.uk/criminal-record-support-service/ or phone 0300 123 1999 

Unlock – http://hub.unlock.org.uk/contact/ phone 01634 247350 text 07824 113848 

Applicants must be living in the UK and be able to provide suitable evidence of their Right To Work in the UK.