Teacher of Geography

Applications are invited for this part-time post, to start from January 2019.

The school seeks a subject specialist, who inspires young people with their passion for Geography and for teaching, and ensures all pupils reach their full potential.  Applications are invited from all those who meet the above criteria, whether they are newly qualified, or more experienced teachers or have yet to commence teacher training.   

The school offers excellent training and support to teachers at all stages of their career. PGS teachers convey passion for their subject and seek to maximise progress by knowing their pupils well and adapting their teaching accordingly.   

In addition to teaching Geography throughout the Senior School, the ability to teach Geology at A Level would be an advantage. Prior experience of the IB Diploma is not required.  

The post-holder will join a dynamic and well-resourced department, which currently consists of three full-time members and four part-time members of staff.  The department has recently been awarded the “Secondary Geography Quality Mark” by the Geographical Association. This is a prestigious award that recognises quality and progress in geography leadership, curriculum development and learning and teaching in schools.  

Fieldwork is very much at the heart of Geography teaching at PGS, including a residential AS/IB study trip to Dorset or the Lake District and overseas trips for GCSE and IB/A Level pupils (Iceland in March 2018 and Tenerife planned for March 2019). 

The department has a wide range of facilities, including interactive SMART screens, a class set of iPads and a department drone. The ethos of the department is that pupils should study a balance of physical and human topics set in real place contexts, in order to be able to make carefully considered judgements and decisions about the world in which they live.  At all levels of the school Geography is taught as a separate subject and all pupils in Years 7 to 9 study Geography.  It is a popular option subject.  In recent years, about 65 candidates opt to study GCSE Geography, which follows the OCR Specification B.  The number taking Geography in the Sixth Form is also strong.  Approximately 20 candidates study the OCR A level Geography specification in each year group.  Geography is offered as part of the IB course. 

Results at both GCSE, IB and A Level are strong with 78% of pupils scoring grades 9-6 at GCSE and 80% scoring A*-B Grades at A Level in 2018. The department also offers A Level Geology following the OCR specification, 100% of whom scored A*-B grades this  summer.  In Year 7 the Geography department contributes to the Portsmouth Curriculum, an innovative, cross-curricular course unique to the school.  Geography also enjoys close links with many other departments, as demonstrated by the joint Biology and Geography school expedition to Borneo planned to take place in July 2019 and with the Eco Schools group. 

The sixth form “Geography Society” has grown in strength and number over the last two years and offers a range of experiences; from outside speakers and lecturers to the mentoring of younger pupils in their Geography studies. The “Geocaching Club” offers an active and fun map skills session at lunchtimes for younger pupils.   

The department occupies a suite of four dedicated teaching rooms that are well equipped with IT and AV facilities.  The department has pioneered the use of iPads and digital technology within the teaching programme over the last few years integrating relevant, engaging activities across all schemes of work. The use of GIS from Year 7 upwards has also been a key focus and pupils are proficient in the use of Survey123 and ArcGIS by the time they embark on their A level Geography coursework.  As well as the department’s new set of iPads, there are 5 three ICT suites which can be booked for whole class teaching and the department also has a drone for use on fieldwork where permissible. 

The Department enjoys strong links with the University of Portsmouth in the training of PGCE students and for lectures, library resources and the loan of equipment.    

The successful applicant will be expected to contribute fully to the pastoral and co-curricular life of the school.  The school provides excellent professional development opportunities and has an outstanding reputation for induction of newly qualified teachers.

PGS is committed to safeguarding children and the successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure DBS check.