Teacher of Geography from September 2025

The post would suit equally a newly or recently qualified teacher (ECT/RQT) or a more experienced teacher seeking a new challenge. 

Welcome to OSH

Old Swinford Hospital is one of the country’s leading state boarding schools. A large number of the School’s students are boarders who come from a wide range of backgrounds in the UK and also from the EU and overseas. A third of our pupils are day pupils, who usually go home after lessons, unless they are involved in sport or music, CCF or DofE. The School is now on an exciting journey to become fully co-educational by 2025. Girls joined us in September 2021 in Year 7, whilst the Sixth Form has been mixed since 2004.

We have recently had two very favourable Ofsted visits, one for boarding and one for curriculum. You can see these via our website www.oshsch.com  We enjoy a very good academic reputation and regularly feature in the lists of the most academically successful maintained schools. We’re not about league tables, however. We pride ourselves on developing in our pupils a balance of academic achievement, character and resilience and we’ve been doing this now for nearly 360 years.

A major building programme has recently been completed which includes a large extension to an already impressive sports centre, an all-weather floodlit sports pitch, a new teaching block with a specialist arts room, a performing arts centre and a new senior boarding house.

This position is a teaching one rather than a boarding one, so evening boarding duties are not expected from the successful candidate. 

About the Geography Department

The Geography Department is a successful department which currently has two very experienced full time members of staff and one part time colleague. As the school expands over the next few years it is expected that the Department will also grow in size. The AQA specification is followed at GCSE and Edexel at A Level. Field work is popular amongst our examination cohorts and at KS3. The department is located in a modern teaching block where each classroom has IT and projector facilities alongside a conventional whiteboard.  

Person Specification

• A can-do attitude and an enthusiasm for teaching young people;
• A belief that young people have potential and can achieve, despite any obstacles they may face;
• A graduate teacher with a keen academic interest in the subject from Year 7 to Year 13 and beyond;
• The willingness and ability to teach Geography at all age and ability levels within the school, up to and including A Level;
• Commitment to help plan and run fieldwork, including residential fieldwork;
• Experience in the use of IT in Geography (fieldwork/enquiry) would be useful;
• The ability to work as part of a successful and supportive team;
• Interest in taking an active part in the development of the curriculum within the school;
• Interest in contributing to extra-curricular activities, including sport music, drama and the adventure curriculum;
• Flexibility and imagination in developing new ideas and resources, as well as adapting to curriculum changes;
• The ability to make a contribution to the wider School curriculum and the personal development of our pupils;
• Commitment to becoming a pro-active, reliable and supportive form tutor.
• Commitment to the protection and safeguarding of children and young people.

General Job Specification and Conditions of Employment

The conditions of employment set out in the current School Teachers’ Pay and conditions Document will apply. The person appointed is responsible to the Subject Leader to carry out the duties and functions of a teacher in accordance with the Teaching Standards and the stated aims and objectives of the School and the Department. 

The person appointed will:

• in consultation with the Subject Leader, plan, design and produce teaching materials and resources which are appropriate to age and ability and are in accordance with the School Development Plan and the Department Development Plan;
• in accordance with scheme of work, plan, deliver and review lessons which are appropriate to the age and ability of the students so as to facilitate progression in students’ learning and following the required examination syllabuses;
• assess, record and report on the development, progress and attainment of the students assigned to him or her within the School guidelines;
• manage the classroom and teaching equipment so as to create a supportive and positive learning environment which makes effective use of the available resources;
• attend meetings, carry out administrative tasks and duties as specified in the Staff Handbook;
• provide and facilitate the general progress and well-being of any individual student within any group of students assigned to him or her, providing guidance and advice to students on educational and social matters;
• implement the School policy with regard to registration, student absence, dress code and enforce School rules relating to behaviour and health and safety;
• participate in full staff and departmental meetings and to contribute to School decision making and consultation procedures;
• be involved in the School Performance Appraisal process, to engage in professional development activities so as to enhance personal performance, fulfil personal potential and be able to participate effectively in the implementation of the School’s goals and Development Plan;
• establish individual active links with industry and business in order to extend both student learning and own professional development;
• to be an Academic Tutor to an assigned Tutor Group if required, and to carry out related duties in accordance with the general job description of Tutor; including meeting parents and contacting home when directed to do so by Heads of Year or SLT
• to carry out a share of supervisory duties in accordance with published rotas; this will include break duty and also a lunch duty in return for complimentary school dinners
• to participate in appropriate meetings with colleagues and parents;
• Operate relevant equipment/ICT packages (e.g. MS Office, internet, intranet, SIMS, Every, E-mail);
• Keep up-to-date knowledge of the range of external agencies and opportunities that can be used to provide extra support for students;
• Support Learning Support Assistants with day to day issues;
• Participate in the promotion of the Department and School, including Saturday morning Open Days and other Open Evenings, Induction Days and the like, and the attendance at any marketing events as requested by SLT;
• Ensure effective communication with all colleagues (teaching and support staff);
• Undertake such other duties as the Headmaster or member of SLT may require from time to time reasonably require.

Equal Opportunities

Old Swinford Hospital welcomes applications for employment from all sectors of the community.

Suitability to Work with Children

Old Swinford Hospital is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants are required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check.