Teacher of Geography

Birkenhead School, founded in 1860, is an HMC independent day school providing education for boys and girls drawn from the whole of the Wirral and as far afield as Chester and North Wales. Situated in the leafy suburb of Oxton, the School enjoys excellent facilities. The main campus has a ‘village green’ atmosphere, with classrooms and laboratories looking out over the cricket square. There are ongoing and substantial investments in facilities.

The School comprises Nursery and Pre-Prep (Early Years), Prep and Seniors and integrates their objectives and activities within a ‘One School’ concept. Birkenhead School prides itself on being a family school and this has been greatly strengthened by the opening of the Nursery in 2006. It is attractive to parents to have all their children in one school and it is a great advantage for the school to be able to establish strong, long-lasting relationships with families. 

A dedicated, talented and collegiate staff body is required to achieve these aims. The School’s informal motto is Respect, Responsibility and Resilience, to which we have recently added Inclusivity, Compassion, Integrity, Humility and Courage as defined School values. 

The Department

In addition to the Head of Department, the Geography department consists of two full time members of staff, both of whom have additional responsibilities within the school.

The department places a great emphasis on engendering a love of learning and a real passion for Geography. Our aim is to help develop responsible and highly engaged global citizens who will help to shape the future world we live in. We want to provoke our students into thinking deeply about our world and help guide them to form their own independent opinions about what sort of world they want for the future.

Geography is studied by all students in years 7-9. The department continues to develop diverse and contemporary schemes of work that address many of the issues facing the world in the twenty first century including ocean plastics, climate change, extreme weather and globalisation.

Geography has been the most popular option choice at GCSE for the past two years by quite some margin, 76% of Year 9 have opted to study GCSE Geography in September 2024. 

The Role and Responsibilities

We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and dynamic teacher, with relevant experience, to tutor students across the full age and ability range, to ensure the highest possible standards of achievement, personal development and well-being. The post holder will continue to meet, maintain, and build upon Teachers Standards. 

Responsibilities

Teaching, marking, assessment and grading within the department, always setting the highest standards of personal organisation and administration. All teachers are expected to:

 Teaching

•  Contribute to a department academic extension programme designed to stretch, challenge and inspire students
• Meet the needs of different groups of learners in particular SEND students and those identified as potential high attainers
• Keep abreast of developments in the subject, maintaining contacts with other schools, exam boards and professional associations
• Ensure students are properly prepared and entered for exams
• Contribute to the organisation of co-curricular activities both in relation to the department and wider School community
• Provide a stimulating learning environment

Assessment

• Give timely, positive and helpful feedback to students
• Complete reports to a high standard and within specified deadlines
• Regularly assess and mark student’s work in line with School and department guidelines

Tutoring

•  Actively monitor students’ progress and provide support where necessary
• Encourage student’s self-development and personal expression through PSHEE and tutor sessions

Professional Development and Wider Contribution to the School community

• Proactively engage in continuous professional development to reflect on and improve teaching repertoire
• Participate in arrangements for the appraisal and review of own performance
• Contribute to the life of the community, particularly by leading and contributing to co-curricular activities
• Representing the School at Parents Evenings, Open Days and other events 

The Person

The ideal candidate will:

• Have a secure knowledge and understanding of own subject/curriculum area including current developments in teaching and learning
• Have QTS/PGCE qualification
• Have prior teaching experience at Key Stages 3, 4, and 5
• Be an excellent classroom practitioner with evidence of good teaching skills, leading to consistently high standards of achievement
• Be enthusiastic, confident and diligent
• Develop and maintain good relationships with students and colleagues
• Have a sound understanding and awareness of Safeguarding procedures
• Develop creative and innovative teaching techniques
• Be IT literate to support teaching and learning
• Inspire staff and students through action

The full list of roles and responsibilities can be found on the Information for Candidates, available on the School website under Employment Opportunities.

Hours

This is a full-time post, however we also welcome applications from part-time candidates. The post holder will be required to contribute to co-curricular opportunities and work as necessary to carry out the duties of the role. 

Other Benefits

We will value and support your contribution to School life and in return provide you with excellent rewards: 

• Working with fantastic young students
• Working as part of a committed team
• Wellbeing support through the Employee Assistance Programme
• Term time is approx. 34 weeks
• Free use of the fully equipped on-site gym
• Support for your continuous professional development
• Children of permanent staff enjoy a reduction in School fees 

Candidates are welcome to contact the Head of Geography, Mr Mark Roberts with any questions relating to the role.

To meet our safeguarding obligations, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check is undertaken as part of the recruitment process for all new staff. As Birkenhead School is an educational provider, it is permitted to ask whether an applicant has any convictions, cautions, reprimands or final warnings which would not be filtered in line with current guidance, as defined by The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020). It is a criminal offence for an individual who is barred from working with children to apply for a role which is classed as regulated activity.

The closing date for applications: 9.00am on Tuesday 16th April

We reserve the right to close this vacancy and complete the recruitment process when we are in receipt of sufficient applications. Should you wish to apply for this post you are advised to complete and submit your application form as soon as possible.