The Portsmouth Grammar School is a leading co-educational school located in the historic heart of Portsmouth. We are very much a family school known for excellent teaching, superb pastoral care and wide-ranging co-curricular opportunities and offer an education across the age range from Pre-School to Sixth Form.

The school seeks a dynamic, well-qualified, and experienced teacher to lead its highly successful Geography Department from January 2026 to cover a period of maternity leave for up to three terms. As maternity cover, this temporary contract may be varied according to the return date of the post holder. If preferable to a candidate, we would be able to offer the opportunity of a September 2025 start within the department and this can be discussed further at interview.

We seek a Head of Department who is passionate and knowledgeable about their subject and able to communicate this with enthusiasm. To lead this busy and exciting department it is also important to demonstrate excellent interpersonal and organisational skills. The ability to teach Geography at A Level and to support able pupils in their higher education aspirations in Geography and related subjects is essential.

Outstanding teaching and learning at PGS are achieved by inspirational and creative teachers with excellent subject knowledge and the ability to use ICT and interactive resources to enhance learning. Teachers’ planning is informed by assessment for learning, ensuring all pupils make very good progress in each lesson. Our pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning and understand how they can improve using constructive feedback provided by their teachers.

The school offers excellent training and support to teachers at all stages of their career. PGS teachers convey passion for their subject and seek to maximise progress by knowing their pupils well and adapting their teaching accordingly. We are always looking to develop new ideas and approaches to teaching and are keen to incorporate the particular interests of new members of staff into the overall curriculum scheme.

The successful applicant will be expected to contribute fully to the pastoral and co-curricular life of the school.

How to apply

Candidates are asked to apply by using the online form linked to our advert on www.tes.com

Any informal enquires about the role or how to apply are very welcome at recruitment@pgs.org.uk

The closing date is midday on 19th June 2025 and interviews will be scheduled to take place on 24th June 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to teach an observed lesson as part of the interview day. We ask candidates to allow a whole day for the interview process.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The School may carry out online searches on shortlisted applicants and applicants may be required to provide details of their online profile, including social media account names/handles, as part of their application.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions on a self-declaration form in advance of attending an interview (including those which are ‘spent’ unless they are ‘protected’ under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.