Head of Geography

The Opportunity

Dunottar is a vibrant, co-educational independent school set in extensive grounds of 15 acres on the outskirts of Reigate, Surrey. We have 460 pupils across years 7-13 and are part of United Learning's large and growing family of schools. We are a first-choice school for parents in the local area and operate a waiting list for admissions. Through excellent teaching and outstanding pastoral care, we aim to bring out the best in every pupil, enabling them to be the very best they can be. We believe that for pupils to succeed in the workplace of the future, they need a well-rounded education that goes beyond academics. Our unique Warrior Learning ethos encourages pupils to aim high, to challenge themselves and not to fear making mistakes, whiles also developing an excellent set of values.

Dunottar is part of United Learning, a large, and growing, group of schools aiming to offer a life-changing education to children and young people across England. United Learning is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All positions are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online check.

We always appoint on merit, and we are open to discussing flexible working options.

Job details

Salary: Appropriate point on the United Learning Teachers' Pay Scale plus Head of Department responsibility allowance.

Contractual hours: 37.5

Basis: Full Time

Region: Reigate

Job category/type: Geography

Date posted: 27/03/2026

Job reference: REQ005004

Job description

The Department

At Dunottar, the Geography Department aims to offer every pupil the opportunity to develop a truly enquiring mind, questioning the world around them and looking at how interrelationships between the physical and human world are entwined. Our curriculum, throughout the school, is designed to bring the awe and wonder of Geography into the classroom, through use of multimedia resources and a wide range of teaching strategies, covering a range of geographical topics across the contrasting countries from all corners of the globe. Skills development is vital within geography and we focus not only on map skills, data representation and interpretation skills, but also aim to develop soft skills through offering ranges of activities which support skills in team work, presentation, communication, problem solving and leadership. This provides opportunities for pupils to demonstrate the seven Warrior Learner behaviours on which our Teaching & Learning strategy is based.

Topics

Topics are chosen to highlight the importance of the interrelationships, from our impact on ecosystems and biomes, at both local and international scale, to how our consumer choices can impact on other people’s lives through the study of globalisation. Sustainability and environmental themes run through all units, supporting the development of evaluative skills in terms of the costs and benefits of many of our human interactions, and the values attached to these. We explore locations far away through the exciting topics such as Fantastic Places, the Amazon and China to the more local themes such as fracking in Horley and Leith Hill.  Even closer to home, we investigate the woodland ecosystem at Dunottar School using our outdoor classroom.

Trips and Excursions

Exciting trips are also part of our offering with a regular trip to Iceland being offered along with residential trips to Suffolk, London Docklands, Battersea and Stratford giving pupils opportunities to explore the world around them.

Developing Skills for Life

We aim to give our pupils the ability to ask questions, to identify and be able to explain patterns, to challenge ideas, evaluate and to have the tools to take the initiative to prove or disprove geographical theory. This helps support our pupils to develop all-round skills which will be essential in the world of work.

The Role

Geography is a popular subject at Dunottar, with many pupils studying AQA Geography at KS4 and KS5. We seek to appoint an outstanding and inspirational Head of Geography to lead this successful and friendly department. We are looking for a dynamic leader who can shape the strategic direction of the department, further develop the curriculum, and foster a culture that stimulates curiosity, critical thinking, and a deep enthusiasm for the subject. The successful candidate will be committed to the aims and ethos of both the Geography department and Dunottar School, and will play a key role in driving academic excellence.

Fieldwork is an integral part of our provision, and the Head of Geography will oversee the planning and delivery of a range of enriching field trips, both within and beyond the school day, ensuring these experiences enhance pupils’ learning and engagement.

The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership, vision, and energy to the role. They will support and develop colleagues, promote high-quality teaching and learning, and contribute fully to the school’s co-curricular and enrichment programme. We welcome applications from experienced subject leaders or ambitious colleagues seeking their first departmental leadership position. Part-time applications may be considered, depending on the level of flexibility offered. In return, we offer all the benefits of working within a thriving, supportive, and collaborative school environment.

Key Responsibilities

Learning and Teaching

• Provide strategic leadership of teaching and learning within the Geography department, ensuring high-quality, imaginative, and academically rigorous provision across all key stages.
• Oversee the development, review, and implementation of curriculum planning, schemes of work, and assessment frameworks to ensure they are coherent, progressive, and aligned with school and exam-board expectations.
• Model outstanding classroom practice, setting high expectations for teaching quality and pupil engagement.
• Monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching and learning through lesson visits, work scrutiny, pupil feedback, and assessment data.
• Lead departmental initiatives to raise attainment, using pupil progress data to identify trends and implement effective intervention strategies.
• Ensure effective deployment of departmental resources, including digital learning tools, textbooks, and fieldwork materials.
• Promote a culture of academic curiosity, encouraging pupils to think independently, engage critically, and develop a passion for Geography.
• Support teachers within the department, providing guidance, coaching, and professional support to enable strong pedagogical practice.

 Pastoral

• Uphold and promote the school’s pastoral vision and expectations within the department, ensuring that Geography classrooms are inclusive, safe, and supportive environments.
• Support tutors and teachers in monitoring the well-being, behaviour, and academic progress of pupils within the department.
• Act as a positive role model, demonstrating professional conduct consistent with the Teachers’ Standards and the ethos of Dunottar School.
• While the post-holder may also be a Form Tutor (depending on timetable allocation), their pastoral influence will extend across the whole department.

 General Responsibilities

• Lead the organisation and delivery of Geography-related co-curricular and enrichment activities,including academic clubs, competitions, and speaker events.

• Oversee the planning, risk assessment, and execution of field trips and visits, ensuring they enhance the curriculum and meet school policy requirements.
• Ensure departmental compliance with school policies, including behaviour, rewards and sanctions, assessment, marking, and reporting.
• Maintain effective communication with parents, supporting colleagues during parents’ evenings and addressing subject-specific queries as needed.
• Chair departmental meetings, coordinating agendas, minutes, and follow-up actions.
• Manage departmental administration, including budgeting, ordering resources, and overseeing displays.
• Support school-wide events, including assessment days, taster days, open events, and duties, as required.
• Carry out any additional responsibilities reasonably requested by senior leadership, particularly those relating to curriculum development or departmental management.

Professional Development

• Lead the professional development of Geography staff, identifying training needs and facilitating opportunities for growth, including mentoring ECTs where applicable.
• Contribute to whole-school CPD, sharing best practice and supporting initiatives that enhance teaching and learning.
• Engage actively in personal professional development, keeping subject knowledge and pedagogical expertise up to date.
• Lead the departmental contribution to annual development planning, including strategic goals, self-evaluation, and improvement priorities.
• Participate in and support staff appraisal processes, ensuring constructive and developmental feedback for departmental colleagues.

 Subject-Specific Responsibilities

• Ensure the Geography curriculum is ambitious, engaging, and broad, enabling pupils of all abilities to meet high expectations.
• Maintain excellent subject knowledge, including awareness of current geographical issues, pedagogical research, and exam-board requirements.
• Quality-assure internal assessments, ensuring consistency, fairness, and alignment with GCSE and A-Level standards.
• Oversee and enrich fieldwork provision, ensuring all pupils develop key geographical skills and benefit from meaningful educational visits, both local and residential.
• Promote Geography across the school, showcasing the subject's relevance, contemporary importance, and academic value.
• Adapt departmental priorities as needed, ensuring responsiveness to curriculum changes, school initiatives, and national developments in Geography education.