National Lead Geography

Lead Geography Across a National Trust and Shape a Knowledge‑Rich Future

Are you ready to lead with intellectual rigour, moral purpose and an unwavering belief in the power of a knowledge‑rich geography curriculum?

Astrea Academy Trust is seeking an exceptional National Lead - Geography to drive subject excellence across our secondary academies. This is a rare opportunity to shape a trust‑wide curriculum, strengthen teaching expertise nationally, and contribute to our mission to tackle historic educational disadvantage through scholarship, curiosity and tenacity.

This is more than a subject leadership role, it is a chance to redefine what exceptional geography education looks like across a large, values‑driven trust.

Reporting to the Director of Curriculum & Assessment (Secondary), you will strategically lead the development, refinement and delivery of a rigorous, knowledge-rich geography curriculum. You will work alongside a dynamic team of curriculum experts, contributing to a common core curriculum used across our nine secondary schools.

You will be a credible expert in geography education with deep curriculum and assessment knowledge. You will inspire subject leaders, develop teachers at all career stages, and ensure that powerful knowledge remains at the heart of learning for every pupil.

Your work will directly contribute to Astrea’s ambition that all schools perform in the top 5% nationally, ensuring that every pupil, regardless of background, receives an exceptional geography education rooted in scholarship, intellectual challenge, and high expectations.

• Close partnership with the Director of Curriculum & Assessment

• Collaboration with national subject experts and access to prestigious professional networks

• The opportunity to shape trust‑wide strategy, curriculum and teacher development

• A values‑driven culture grounded in scholarship, curiosity and tenacity

• A warm/strict culture where exemplary behaviour enables teachers to teach and students to learn

• A chance to make a lasting impact on closing the disadvantage gap through rigorous geography education

This is a national role with travel across the trust and occasional overnight stays.

As National Lead – Geography, you will:

• Design and refine a rigorous, knowledge‑rich geography curriculum for Years 7–13

• Lead the development of high‑quality teaching materials, assessments and progression models

• Strengthen the subject expertise of teachers and leaders across all secondary academies

• Capture, codify and share professional knowledge to improve trust‑wide geography practice

• Drive improvements in teaching quality and student outcomes in geography

• Support Heads of Department to secure rapid improvements and subject excellence

• Model expert teaching and use your own high‑quality practice to build professional knowledge

• Work with senior leaders to shape curriculum, teaching and assessment policies

• Build strong relationships with national subject associations, professional bodies and curriculum networks

• Support recruitment, development and quality assurance of geography teachers

You will be:

• A specialist with exceptional geography subject knowledge and a strong track record of securing excellent outcomes

• A skilled curriculum thinker who can design and articulate rigorous, coherent subject programmes

• A confident leader who can influence at scale and support others to grow

• Values‑aligned, mission‑driven, and committed to tackling educational disadvantage

• A passionate advocate for geography as a high‑status, intellectually demanding discipline

Astrea Academy Trust is unapologetically ambitious for every child. We believe in powerful knowledge, explicit instruction, warm/strict cultures and high expectations for all.

As National Lead – Geography, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the curriculum that drives our mission and transforms life chances across South Yorkshire and Cambridgeshire.

If you are motivated by moral purpose, inspired by knowledge‑rich curriculum design, and ready to influence geography education at scale, we would love to hear from you.

To arrange a confidential conversation, please contact
Sam Cottrill - Deputy Director - Curriculum and Assessment - (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).

Astrea Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks and satisfactory references.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are committed to removing barriers and supporting the progression of disabled staff.