Head of Geography - Atlantic Academy Portland

Head of Geography

Atlantic Academy – Portland, Dorset
Permanent | Full Time | Start as soon as possible
Salary: MPS/UPS + TLR

Closing Date: Monday 19th October 2026 9am
Interviews: Week 20th - 23rd October 2026

Lead. Inspire. Explore. Shape the Future.

Could you inspire the next generation to understand the world — and their place within it?

Atlantic Academy is seeking an ambitious, passionate and inspirational Head of Geography to lead and shape our Geography department.

This is an exciting opportunity for an exceptional Geography teacher ready to take the next step in their career, or an experienced middle leader looking for a fresh challenge in a school where high expectations, excellent teaching and student ambition are at the heart of everything we do.

And what better place to teach Geography?

Set on the stunning Jurassic Coast in Portland, Dorset, Atlantic Academy provides a unique environment in which to bring Geography to life. From coastal processes and climate change to urbanisation, sustainability and global development, the world beyond the classroom is right on our doorstep.

But it is not just our location that makes Atlantic Academy special. We are building a culture of ambition, consistency and success, where staff are supported to thrive and students are challenged to achieve more than they thought possible.

The Opportunity

As Head of Geography, you will have the opportunity to lead a subject that helps young people make sense of an ever-changing world.

You will:

• Lead and develop an ambitious, engaging and knowledge-rich Geography curriculum across KS3 and KS4

• Inspire students with a love of Geography, place and the wider world

• Build on our strong foundations and develop a clear vision for the future of the department

• Drive excellence in teaching, learning and student outcomes

• Support, coach and develop colleagues within the Geography team

• Promote fieldwork, geographical enquiry and opportunities to apply learning beyond the classroom

• Develop students into confident, curious and critical thinkers

• Champion sustainability, global citizenship and an understanding of the complex challenges facing our planet

• Create a classroom culture where every student is encouraged to question, explore and think deeply

Our vision for Geography is simple: we want students to leave us understanding the world better than when they arrived — and feeling empowered to shape it.

What You’ll Bring

We are looking for someone who is:

• An excellent and enthusiastic classroom practitioner with a genuine passion for Geography

• Ready to lead a department with energy, ambition and purpose

• Creative, reflective and committed to developing an outstanding Geography curriculum

• A strong communicator and collaborative colleague

• An inspiring leader who can motivate others and bring people with them

• Committed to high expectations and inclusive excellence

• Solutions-focused, resilient and optimistic

• Passionate about fieldwork, geographical enquiry and helping students understand the world around them

• Determined to ensure that every student can succeed, regardless of background or starting point

Most importantly, you will believe that Geography is more than a subject. It is a way of understanding people, places, environments and the challenges that will shape our future.