Head of Geography in London

We are recruiting for the role of Head of Geography, to support the growth of a genuinely transformational school. As Head of Geography, you will lead, develop and manage the effective delivery of an outstanding curriculum, prioritising knowledge acquisition and recall, enabling the highest level of student progress and attainment. You will lead the development of the department and ensure that teaching and learning remain exceptional while promoting a strong school culture within a nurturing and rigorous environment.

Our staff are committed subject experts and are given the capacity and the training to ensure that their curriculum delivers knowledge‐rich mastery through effective planning and intellectual preparation. In geography, our curriculum is based on Ark's Curriculum, ensuring the department's time is used where it is most valuable: working as a team to implement the curriculum for the students in our classrooms.

Leaders at Soane prevent unnecessary demands on teacher time - meetings, marking and administrative tasks are minimised to ensure teachers can be highly effective. The curriculum and resourcing ensure that teachers rarely plan alone: staff time is used where it is most valuable: working as a team to implement the curriculum for the students in our classrooms.

We have a truly open‐door culture where frequent low‐stakes feedback is the norm. We value the input of all of our staff and collaborate to ensure the academy continues to improve as it expands. We frequently host teams of domestic and international educators who come to learn from us and help us shape our provision.

• Twice as many training days as standard
• Weekly staff training designed to meet the needs of the school
• Coaching for every teacher
• Protected co‐planning time
• Access to high‐quality, regular professional development

We are a new secondary school in Acton which opened in 2021. We will have 720 students in Years 7‐10 from September 2024 and will be launching our GCSE programmes for the first time. Ark Soane seeks to redefine what is possible in education. Our model is "simplicity delivered expertly": by delivering an immaculately planned and highly academic curriculum exceptionally well; and by providing our students with a compelling aspiration‐raising ethos we seek to transform the future of students in a highly deprived community.

Behaviour at Soane is exemplary enabling you to deliver exceptional lessons. Students are entirely bought‐in to the values and ethos of the school and know that they are fortunate to attend a school where the quality of education is exceptional and where love, warmth, respect and the highest standards permeate every interaction. Students are a pleasure to teach and you can always expect a "thank you miss" when students leave your classroom.

We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective. Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offences Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non‐disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment – this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred.

Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on‐going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage you to submit your application at your earliest convenience.