An enthusiastic, well-qualified, and versatile teacher is required to teach Geography from Years 7 to 13 in this selective coeducational London day school. This is an exciting opportunity for either an experienced classroom practitioner who enjoys the company of bright, ambitious and well-motivated pupils, or for a well-qualified NQT. Applicants need the imagination and ambition to challenge pupils to enjoy their subject, and the insight and enthusiasm to convey its intricacies at the highest levels. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the pastoral and co-curricular life of the school, both aspects of which are particularly valued at Highgate, and to the School’s various partnership schemes which include the London Academy of Excellence Tottenham.

 The School has in place DfE recognised arrangements for the Induction Year and the confirmation of NQT status and has considerable experience of and success in guiding entrants to the profession to qualified status. For all teachers new to Highgate, regardless of experience, there is a strong and supportive framework of induction to the School.

The Curriculum

Our main departmental aim is to ensure that pupils at all levels have a full understanding of the diverse nature of our subject and develop into passionate and responsible global citizens. We teach beyond the specification, at all ages.

All pupils at Highgate study Geography in Years 7 to 9. In Year 10, Geography is a popular GCSE option (Edexcel IGCSE), and there are currently six sets in Year 10 (94 pupils) and six in Year 11 (99 pupils). The department has strong results at GCSE, with 76% achieving 9/8 in 2018. Many choose to develop their interest further: at A-Level (CIE) Geography is increasingly popular, with three sets each in Year 12 and Year 13. Standards in the Sixth Form are similarly high with 85% of the last cohort achieving A*/A grades. Many of our A-Level candidates choose to continue Geography each year at an undergraduate level.

The Department is currently preparing to teach the Cambridge International A-Level specification at A Level from September 2019. Topics to be covered include Atmosphere & Weather, Hydrology & Fluvial Geomorphology, Arid Environments, Hazardous Environments, Population, Migration, Settlement Dynamics, Environmental Management and Economic Geography.

Fieldwork constitutes an important part of the curriculum, including cross-curricular Key Stage Three trips and GCSE residential data-collection fieldwork courses. A-Level pupils participate in residential trips to Field Studies Centres as well as on day trips within the Greater London area.  International trips are at least biennial and run at GCSE and A Level: in recent years, pupils have been to Iceland and Morocco.

The Department

The Department is equipped to a high standard.  There are four classrooms, each of which has smartboard connected to desktop computer; one of the rooms is currently being converted into a computer suite to facilitate our use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). There is a designated departmental office, as well as wireless network access and a set of department-based iPads for use both in fieldwork and to support our growing application of e-learning techniques.

The subject and department have expanded and changed significantly in the last few years and one of our key objectives is to maintain and boost this development, and to ensure that the highest quality of teaching continues at all levels.

Teachers at Highgate enjoy a welcoming, comfortable and exceptionally well-resourced environment and are provided with significant assistance from a range of support staff.  Salaries are competitive. The School pays the employer’s contribution to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. Terms are shorter than in the maintained sector. Staff have free access to the School’s sports facilities.

Mark Beloe, the Head of Geography, or James Newton, Deputy Head (Academic) are very happy to answer any questions ( or james.newton)