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Welcome to Dartford Grammar School

Dartford Grammar School was founded in 1576 and is one of the oldest schools in England. For nearly 450 years,

Dartford Grammar School has enabled young people from Dartford and its surrounding area to achieve great things.

It is proud of the confident, thoughtful, energetic global citizens that leave the school, fully prepared to contribute

to the community, and to rise to the challenges of an increasingly complex future in the wider world.

Dartford Grammar School’s students are extremely successful. They enjoy doing remarkably well – both at their

academic work and in the team work associated with the widest range of co-curricular activities. They value the

talents, ideas and successes of others.

Judged outstanding in every OFSTED inspection, Dartford Grammar School provides a broad, balanced international

education, following the principles of The International Baccalaureate both in the Middle Years and the Sixth

Form. Every student studies either Mandarin Chinese or Japanese from Year 7 and an additional European language

from Year 8.

It is rare to be a school within the British education system that offers the IB curriculum exclusively, and we are

proud to say that we now offer the opportunity to study the IB Diploma in the Sixth Form to more students than

ever. The School received The Sunday Times IB School of the Year award in both 2017 and 2020, and then became

the Sunday Times IB School of the Decade in 2020 too, paying testimony to the ongoing excellent results arising

through the focus and energy of students and staff in maximising the opportunities the Diploma supports. We

believe that the learning benefits and the prospects for university admission are palpable and justify this

unrelenting drive to secure a modern international curriculum. Parents do appreciate the opportunities offered to

their children through the co-curriculum and the personalisation offered by an almost unlimited choice of subject

in the Sixth Form.

As one leading and reputable educational commentator concluded recently: ‘This is no bastion of educational

privilege, but one that has achieved its notable success through hard work, inspired teaching and free-thinking.

It is one of the country’s truly exceptional schools – and one to be treasured.”

The school’s mission statement, ‘A learning community developing international citizens’ reflects the purpose of

an IB World School; ‘to develop young people who help to create a more peaceful world through intercultural

understanding and respect’ and ‘to encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and

lifelong learners who understand that other people , with their differences, can also be right’.

Julian Metcalf

Head

ABOUT US

A learning community developing international citizens

Dartford Grammar School is a selective secondary academy for boys, which admits girls to its sixth form. There
are six forms of entry to Year 7, and all of the students joining the school are from the top 25% of the ability
range. The students come from Dartford, neighbouring towns and villages, and nearby London boroughs. The
current roll is 1,516, including 598 in the sixth form.

Curriculum
Dartford Grammar School offers a unique seven year innovative curriculum based on the educational philosophy
of the International Baccalaureate (IB). This begins with the Middle Years Programme (MYP) in the lower school
and then concludes with the Diploma Programme (DP) in the Sixth Form. The International Baccalaureate (IB) is
offered around the world in 146 countries and we are proud that we are a leading IB World School, offering a truly
international education. The IB courses are crucial to our ethos encouraging students to be independent, creative
and highly successful lifelong learners. We were the first British state school authorised to offer the IB Middle Years
Programme to pupils in Year 7 to 9. However, no prior experience of the International Baccalaureate is needed, and
the successful applicant will have the opportunity to undertake appropriate CPD as required.

In Years 7 – 9, students develop their knowledge and understanding of their subjects through the skills based Middle
Years Programme which is underpinned by the philosophy of the Learner Profile. In Years 10 and 11, students follow
a broad range of academic GCSE subjects, including English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, either
double or triple Science , two Humanities from History, Geography and Religious Studies and a further option from
Art, Drama, Music, Design Technology, Computer Science and Physical Education. We are the only school nationally
where all students sit GCSE examinations in two Modern Foreign Languages, one from Mandarin Chinese or
Japanese then either French, German, Latin or Spanish. Our innovative Creativity Week programme allows all
students to enjoy a cross-discipline approach to their learning and develops independence and autonomy.

In the Sixth Form we offer the IB Diploma to approximately 600 students each year, a programme that equips them
with the key skills and a broad but deep subject knowledge to succeed in higher education or employment. The IB
Diploma is recognised around the world and so allows students to access universities both in the United Kingdom
and internationally. Through the IB Diploma, all students study English, Mathematics, a Language, a Science, a
Humanity and either an Arts subject or a second choice from Languages, Science or Humanities. Students choose
their six subjects from two levels of entry; three at higher level and three at standard level. Additionally students
complete a 4000 word Extended Essay, as well as a study of Theory of Knowledge and an exciting Creativity, Activity
and Service project (CAS). It is anticipated that the successful applicant will have a considerable sixth form teaching
timetable.

Our entire curriculum, in line with the IB Learner Profile, encourages students to be internationally minded and
aware of the importance of cultural diversity while embracing British values. Our curriculum offers academic rigor
with the balance of a vibrant co-curriculum where all students actively participate in the wider life of the school.
All of this is underpinned by our commitment to pastoral care and student and staff wellbeing.

Students at Dartford Grammar School enjoy very high academic success. In 2022, with a return to external
examinations at both GCSE and IB Diploma level, students gained 81% of all GCSE entries at grade L7-9, and 70% of

all IB Diploma entries at grade L6/7, respectively. The school’s examination results continue to be exceptional. A
GCSE P8 score of 0.92 places Dartford Grammar School as the highest performing boys' school in Kent in 2022. Our
sixth formers gained an average UCAS point score of 224 and an average IB point score of 37.7 in 2022. The L3VA
will present the school as one of the highest performing sixth forms in the country for progress. Almost all Year 13
students proceed to university with 92% of students successful at their first or second choice, 71% successful at
Russell Group universities, 58% taking up STEM related courses and 2% progressing into higher level apprenticeship
qualifications.

The L3VA will present the school as one of the highest performing sixth forms in the country for value
added. Almost all of Year 13 students proceed to university with 100% of students successful at their first or second

choice and 77% successful at Russell Group universities. In 2021, our students received outstanding grades that
were precisely in line with teacher predictions.

Ofsted Inspections
The school has been identified four times by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector as one of England’s most successful
schools, showing a sustained period of outstanding achievement.

Early Specialist Status
In September 1995, the school became one of the first two language colleges in the country. The school is
committed to internationalism. While maintaining its high levels of strength in all curricular areas, the school is
established as a centre of excellence for the learning of languages, offering tuition in ten. Following the 2008 Ofsted
inspection the school was awarded Science as this third specialism and most recently achieved an additional
Specialism Quality Mark in Sport.

The school is a leading Confucius Classroom, a leading Japan Foundation and Goethe Institute school and has been
reaccredited with the International Schools Award at the highest level. Dartford Grammar School was the Sunday
Times IB School of the Year 2017 and 2020, when it was also awarded the IB School of the Decade. Furthermore,
in September 2018 the school became a Hub of Excellence in MFL Pedagogy, a new government initiative to raise
standards and uptake in languages. This will see us work as one of nine lead schools in the country to help and
support a number of local schools to develop their language teaching. The school’s reputation for collaboration
has also been recognised through our new status as a National Hub of Excellence for Computer Science.

The school has been awarded ‘Teaching School’ status and takes the lead in initial teacher training across a local
alliance of primary and secondary schools, providing additional professional development opportunities.

Buildings and Facilities
The school, founded in 1576, has occupied its present site since 1866. Additional buildings have been constructed
since then, the major works in last 10 years being listed below:

2008 extension of sixth form centre adding five teaching rooms;
2009 the remodelling of the Mick Jagger Centre, to provide additional teaching rooms and new

laboratories and a Food Technology suite;
2011 new sixth form study suite;
2012/13 extended sixth form centre;
2013/14 new science department;
2013/14 new Key Stage 3 transition area;
2014/15 new Performing Arts Centre and rejuvenation of part of the Hardy building;
2015/16 new dining hall and additional laboratories;
2017/18 new sixth form centre;
2017/18 extension and improvements to the Arthur Jones pavilion;
2018/19 new school shop and print room facility;
2021/22 new fitness suite and learning support department.

Pastoral Support
The school has a strong pastoral system operating from Year 7 to Year 13. The school is divided into Key Stage units,
and each year group has a Head of Year who oversees all aspects of the students’ development. The school provides
3 Higher Education Advisers and a specialist Careers Adviser.

Extra-Curricular Programme
The school is exceptionally rich in extra-curricular activities. It offers 16 sports and competes with others in at least
eight of them each year. Teams regularly gain county, regional and national success, and many students gain
representative honours at one or more of these levels. The school achieves high standards in music, and has an
orchestra, wind band, choir, chamber choir and many other ensembles. Drama productions are frequent.

The Performing Arts Faculty benefits from the facilities of the Mick Jagger Performing Arts Centre. There are many
other clubs and societies, with debating always a popular activity. The school’s impressive programme of

community service is regarded as a particular strength. The school benefits from many close links with Europe,
China and Japan. There are regular overseas cultural and sports trips, and other international visits.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a notable strength: nearly all students in Year 10 complete the Bronze Award,
with a majority going on to Silver. Gold Award expeditions take place in both the UK and overseas, while the school
has also offered international trips via Operation Wallacea.

External Links
The school has a very active Parents' Association, which provides valuable assistance and support. The school has
strong links with local industry and with Higher Education. It has extensive links with many other institutions, and
is also part of the world-wide International Baccalaureate Organisation network.

What the School Offers Teachers
The school provides its staff with the experience of teaching able and well-motivated students in an environment
with high expectations of behaviour and well-developed systems of teacher-support. The school has a national
reputation for the quality of its programme of professional development. The programme includes much that falls
within specific subject areas. Staff well-being is a priority in the school, and staff social occasions, staff football
and staff tai-chi are all popular, as is our weekly staff breakfast on a Friday morning!

The school is committed to participation in initial teacher training. Other aspects include a course for Early Career
Teachers, preparation for middle management, development of existing middle managers and preparation for
senior management. While the school’s extensive programme of overseas visits give many staff international
experience, the school ensures that its staff development has a further international dimension, for example in IB
courses. Staff members have access to the school’s excellent facilities for sport and the performing arts.

Becket Sports Centre and The Mick Jagger Centre for the Performing Arts
Out of school hours the facilities of both centres are shared with the local community. They are managed by school
staff, reporting through independent management structures.

The Becket Sports Centre comprises a sports hall and a recently refurbished, fully equipped fitness studio, with a
separate aerobics/training room, which has a sprung floor, allowing dance sessions to be held. The Mick Jagger
Centre includes two auditoria (seating 200 and 350 respectively, both with retractable seating), 8 music practice
rooms, dance studio, exhibition space, two music rooms and a Drama Studio. It is a base for 20 community
organisations and runs a small commercial programme attracting a range of talents and performers.

Website
Further details of the school, including breakdown of performance figures, can be accessed through:
www.dartfordgrammarschool.org.uk

Applicants are warmly invited to visit the school before applying.

STAFF REWARDS AND BENEFITS
Here at Dartford Grammar School, we want to share with you a snapshot of the generous benefits package

offered to all staff, from their very first day of employment. We are always looking at new ways and fresh ideas

that can best support our body of staff to reach their full potential, both professionally and personally.

What we offer:

• A commitment to invest in staff development via training, CPD, mentoring, and in-house support groups

• Free car parking on site

• Cycle to Work scheme

• On-site dining with superb food

• Free annual flu vaccination

• 24/7 free access to our Employee Assistance Programme for confidential advice and guidance

• Free gym access to onsite facilities

• Annual leave of 23 days, plus bank holidays, which increases to reflect length of service

• State of the art school facilities with on site Performing Arts centre

• Regular staff wellbeing events

• Highly attractive pension schemes for both Teaching and Support staff

• Social events

JOB DESCRIPTION

POST: Head of Geography

GRADE: MPS/UPS + LFA

START DATE: September 2023

RESPONSIBLE TO: Headteacher

GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT

Geography is a successful, popular and oversubscribed subject in both Key Stages 4 and 5 at Dartford Grammar
School. The department consists of six committed specialist teachers who work together effectively and
enthusiastically to ensure that all students receive the optimal learning experience. The team of inspiring teachers
motivate a very respectable number of students to continue the subject throughout their school careers and
further, into higher education.

In Key Stage 3 students are taught geography within an integrated Humanities course which follows the Middle
Years Programme. A stimulating and challenging course has been generated which aims to create an
understanding of physical and human processes, their interaction and impact on the environment, with
exemplars ranging from the local to the global scale. A variety of skills from the learner profile are exercised, in
addition to geographical skills such as mapping and graphical development and analysis.

In Key Stage 4 students are studying the AQA GCSE specification, which allows students to study contemporary
geography in a balanced framework of physical and human themes and investigate the links between them. This
includes topics such as units on physical landscapes in the UK, the changing economic world and the challenge of
resource management, in addition to a third ‘skills & fieldwork’ paper. Assessment is purely by examination.

In Key Stage 5 students study the IB syllabus. The main feature of the syllabus is the creation of an awareness of
the spatial dimension in human activities and the dynamic nature of the relationship between people and their
natural and social environment. Assessment is by examination and the submission of one Internal Assessment item,
based on primary data collected in the French Alps. The IB empowers staff to teach a wide range of stimulating and
contemporary topics, including development, environmental sustainability, resource use, freshwater, extreme
environments, hazards and globalisation.

The Geography Department is a robust team, who take collective responsibility for the success of the subject, and
all members readily take an active part in decision-making. The department is richly resourced and teachers
regularly and mutually share good practice. The department also has proven success in growing its own teachers
and effectively supports new colleagues in a comprehensive induction programme.

The Department regards learning outside of the classroom with utmost importance, and the subject has a high
profile within the school for its commitment to extra-curricular activities. Enrichment opportunities include local
fieldwork in Dartford and Sevenoaks, visits to the Royal Geographical Society in London, in addition to international
visits to the French Alps. Extra-curricular activities include Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 GeogSoc as well as the
Geography Higher Education Masterclass which aims to build skills for university, alongside the very successful Eco-
Council which runs throughout the school.

We are seeking to appoint a passionate geographer to join the department and to contribute to its unrelenting
pursuit of success. As there is always a need for development for geography in schools, it is essential that the
candidate is dynamic and uses an imaginative approach to their teaching. A readiness to assist with extra-curricular
activities in the school is also highly encouraged.

ROLE PROFILE

Job Title: Head of Geography

Line Manager: Head of KS5

Persons Line-managed: Teachers of Geography

Outline of Role:

• To carry out the role of a teacher as defined in the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions document.

• To support, hold accountable, develop and lead the Geography Department, to ensure high standards of

teaching and learning and the wellbeing of staff and students.

Responsibilities as a Teacher:

• To teach assigned students.

• To participate in the development of appropriate syllabuses, materials and schemes of work.

• To assess, record and report on students’ development, progress and attainment.

• If required, under the direction of the Curriculum Manager, to act as Form Teacher of an assigned group

of students, and to carry out related duties.

• To carry out a share of supervisory duties in accordance with published lists.

• To participate in appropriate meetings with colleagues and parents relative to the above duties.

Principal Accountabilities:

• To agree and support the achievement of challenging student progress targets to make a measurable

contribution to whole school targets.

• To draw up, implement and monitor the progress of the Department Development Plan to ensure that it

makes a significant contribution to the School Development Plan.

• To maintain a scheme of work to guide and support successful teaching, and procedures for monitoring

and evaluating student progress, in accordance with the school’s and Department’s policies.

• To manage and develop staff effectively, and to advise on their deployment, resulting in a tangible impact

on student learning in the subject.

• To review annually, the development and performance of the Department, in accordance with the

procedures of the school self-evaluation policy.

• To manage effectively the budget allocated to the Department, and to ensure the efficient use of its

resources.

Key Leadership Behaviours:

• Adaptability

• Achievement orientation

• Optimism

• Developing others

• Influence

• Teamwork and collaboration

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Exemplary performance as a classroom practitioner.

• High level of subject expertise.
  

APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications will only be accepted from candidates completing the school’s application form. All sections of the
application form must be completed as accurately and as full as possible.

Please note that CV’s will not be considered and must be attached to an application form as a supplementary form.

All completed application forms must be submitted to the HR Manager, Mrs Michelle Bexley, electronically to
[email protected] or by post to the following address:

HR Manager
Dartford Grammar School
West Hill
Dartford
Kent
DA1 2HW



Closing date for applications: Monday 20th March 2023, at 9am

Interview date: TBC

The school may interview early in the case of an exceptional candidate.

SHORTLISTING AND INTERVIEW PROCESS
Only after the closing date will candidates be shortlisted. This will be based solely on the information provided
within the application form, so ensuring your application form is accurate and fully completed is imperative.

After the shortlisting process as taken place, candidates will then be invited to interview and references then
contacted.

All candidates who have been invited for interview will be required to bring the following documentation:

• Right to Work in the UK evidence (typically a passport or driving license)

• Criminal Record Self Declaration (will be sent ahead of the interview)