Post Graduate Assistant Teacher of Geography

An opportunity has arisen at Harrow for a Post Graduate Assistant Teacher (PGAT) Geography. PGAT appointments are fixed term contracts and are typically for one academic year, with the possibility of the contract being renewed for a second year. The post comes with a generous package, including rent-free accommodation and health cover provided free of charge for you and at a reduced rate for any members of your immediate family that you may wish to add. All meals are provided free of charge during term time. 

PGATs teach a reduced timetable, typically including no more than 20 timetabled lessons of 40 minute duration per week, and assist in departments more generally in ways appropriate to their experience and ability. The School provides training in skills both related to teaching and transferable to other professions. The role of PGAT will allow those interested in pursuing a career in teaching to gain directly relevant experience and training, and those more likely to move into another profess beyond the end of their time at Harrow to acquire skills beneficial for their future careers in other areas, including banking, consultancy and the law.

The department teaches all boys in the Shell (Year 9), of whom approximately 90 choose to continue to study the subject to GCSE. Uptake at A level is also healthy with over 30 boys each year typically taking the qualification.

Boys study the AQA 8035 specification at GCSE and the linear OCR H481 specification at A level. Excellent examination results are achieved at all levels. Boys regularly go on to study Geography at university, with between five and eight accepting offers in most years.

A great deal of emphasis is placed upon the provision of fieldwork. Opportunities exist at GCSE to investigate urban change within the ward of Notting Dale, London, and changes in a fluvial environment on the River Chess. At A Level, candidates attend four-day trips to Field Studies Council sites in central London and Amersham to aid with the creation of a wide range of Non-Examined Assessments (NEAs)

As contribution to the School’s super-curriculum, a variety of Electives are offered by the department, including Cultural Geography and Anthropology and the Geography of Disease. Further super curricular input is made through the provision of the Junior Laborde Society and the Senior Geography Society, boy-led initiatives that arrange an array of lectures, debates and seminars across the year.

Full details of the vacancy can be viewed in the recruitment pack.

Closing Date: 8am, 23 September 2024

Equality, diversity and inclusion are values that are important to us at Harrow. We believe in diversity of thought and actively welcome everyone regardless of their background to bring their valuable and relevant skills to our community.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All successful applicants must be willing to undergo enhanced child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with any past employer and the Disclosure and Barring Service, and it is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. No member of staff will be able to start until these checks are complete and this process takes, on average, a month. Please plan accordingly.