Damian Gray
Uxbridge
Summary
Results-driven education leader with 27 years of experience in geography and a proven record of achieving outstanding outcomes, including a 7th OFSTED inspection. Awarded NPQSL in June 2020 and attained Chartered Geographer status in April 2016. Committed to continuous professional development and enhancing transferable skills to contribute to educational success significantly.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Overall Head of Geography
Claires Court
Maidenhead
2024.01 - Current
- KS5 introduced Monday night lectures, exam-style webinars, and RGS reading lists.
- Updated KS4 SOW with exam-style questions, skills, and revision material.
- Enhanced SOW with rigorous content aligned to disciplinary standards.
- Developed intervention mapping and tracking tools to support student progress.
- Coordinated transition materials for KS2-5 to facilitate smoother student progression.
- Data analysis using SchoolBase, and Horsforth Quadrant.
- Recording & sharing live marking via Stream.
- Form tutor.
- Successful ISI inspection October 2025
Head of Geography
Drayton Manor High
London
2023.01 - 2024.08
- Head of Geography - SOW audits.
- Updated KS3 SOW to enhance substantive & disciplinary content and developed homework booklets.
- Updated KS4 SOW with exam-style questions, skills, and revision material.
- Developed comprehensive KS5 SOW from scratch, introduced Monday night lectures, exam-style webinars, and curated RGS reading lists.
- Teaching geography: KS3 - KS5.
- Teaching history, science & RE: KS3.
- Intervention mapping, tracking, and support material.
- Recording & sharing live marking via Stream.
- Data analysis using Sisra, and Horsforth Quadrant.
- Form tutor.
- Coordinated transition activities, interviewed external candidates (KS2-5), organised school visits with SENCO & Year 6 team, and led coordination of Summer school.
- Supported and trained PGCE candidates from St. Mary's to develop their teaching skills.
- OFSTED 28th November 2023.
Head of Humanities
Chertsey High School
Addlestone, Surrey
2022.09 - 2022.12
- Head of Humanities / Geography / History.
- Oversaw planning and delivery of subject content to ensure alignment with curriculum standards.
- Conducted data analysis using Arbor & 4Matrix to inform instructional strategies.
- Planned and coordinated educational trips to various countries, fostering cultural understanding and engagement among students.
Head of Geography
Sunbury Manor School
Sunbury on Thames, Middlesex
2018.01 - 2022.08
- Coordinated geography curriculum delivery (KS3/4) to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
- Data analysis using PARs & 4Matrix.
- Intervention mapping & tracking.
- Facilitated and coordinated enrichment programs and projects, enhancing students' educational experiences and personal development.
- Led Eco-Warriors club, fostering student involvement in sustainability initiatives and projects.
- Oversaw Phoenix Group - linked with my NPQSL.
- PGCE mentor for St. Mary's University.
- Year 7, 10 & 11 Form tutor.
- OFSTED 2nd October 2019.
Head of Geography
The Chalfonts Community College
Chalfont St Peter
2016.01 - 2017.12
- KS3-5 Geography coordinator.
- Directed Geography initiatives to enhance educational quality and foster student engagement.
- Delivery of KS3/4 science and geography.
- Managed planning and execution of trips, providing students with enriching experiences.
- Oversaw Eco-Club activities to raise environmental awareness and increase student participation.
- Facilitate, coordinate & develop enrichment programs & projects.
- KS3 Science enrichment coordinator.
- Year 8/9 Form tutor.
- Intervention mapping & tracking.
- Mentored PGCE and ECT trainees, providing guidance and support for their professional development.
- Data analysis using Go4schools & 4Matrix.
- OFSTED 25th May 2017 - Outstanding.
Teacher of Geography
Guru Nanak Sikh Academy
Hillingdon
2014.09 - 2015.12
- Delivered whole school geographical curriculum to ensure consistent learning outcomes.
- Implemented strategies to maintain 'Levels of Progress' among students.
- Facilitated pastoral development programmes to provide comprehensive student support.
- Organised and led successful field trips to local and national sites of geographical interest, facilitating hands-on learning experiences.
- Designed high-quality teaching materials and student resources to engage and interest students in Geography.
Head of Humanities, Science & Drama
Wisdom School
Haringey
2010.09 - 2014.07
- Managed academic and pastoral support for Year 7-11 students.
- Oversaw student welfare and discipline as House Master.
- Mapped and tracked interventions to support student progress.
- Coordinated educational trips to enhance experiential learning.
- Science, STEM & Drama Club coordinator.
- Planned risk assessments and coordinated geoscience projects to ensure safety and engagement.
- Teacher of science, geography, drama, ESOL / EAL, Functional Skills & 11+ support.
- Secured numerous awards at international competitions.
- Successful ISI November 2013.
Skills
- Geography pedagogy
- Curriculum development
- Student Progress
- Intervention based on data analysis
- Budget optimisation
- Professionalism and confidentiality
- Problem-solving
- Networking strategies
- Organised, resilient & highly professional
- Professionalism and confidentiality
- Organised, resilient & highly professional
Qualifications
- NPQSL certificate
- MSc in Science: Climate Change Impacts and Sustainability
- I to I UK / Global, TEFL Accredited Certificates (ODLQC and the SQMS)
- Environmental Awareness Certificate
- Leading From the Middle (NPQML)
- Advance Post Graduate Certificate in Professional Development
- PGCE in Geography and Drama
- BSc (Hon's) Degree in Geography / Science
Interests
- Residents Association successfully petitioned on behalf of local residents against proposed developments on 3 occasions. Regular contact with local councillors.
- 1-to-1 tuition. Since 1997 I have provided bespoke tuition for KS2 SATs, 11+, KS3 English, maths, science, geography, KS4 Geography, drama, science & A' level geography.
- Vice Chair of the Friends of St Bernadette's RC Primary School I was responsible for promoting fundraising events, marketing and promotional social activities.
- Music Producer /DJing /radio DJ I was a resident DJ in the Stately Barn, 4th Dimension, Club Strobe, Bob Cratchets, as well as Kiss FM.
- St. John Bosco Drama Group I helped form the Bosco Drama Group as well as led workshops that focused on issues of particular interest to young people, such as bullying, assertiveness etc I also took part in the first production, Grease.
- Dromore Youth and Prayer Ministry I was a voluntary member who led groups in personal and spiritual development. It also involved coordinating various workshops and programmes for weekend and school retreats.
- St. John Bosco Youth Club I was a Volunteer Youth worker & drama leader during the summer of 1990 - 1996. My main duties were organising recreational time for the local children.
Certification
- Chartered Geographer
- Fellowship membership (RGS)
Accomplishments
- Geography & Geology to A level
- Chemistry, Physics & Biology to GCSE
- Drama to GCSE
- Cambridge/OCR Nationals L1/2
- Btec Extended Diploma in Travel & Tourism
- Edexcel functional skills L1/2
- CATs, SATs and 11+
- Use of English, CAE, FCE, IELTS and TOEIC
Continuous Professional Development
- Smartlog: GDPR for Education - June 2026, June 2025
- Smartlog: Safeguarding & Prevent -June 2026, June 2025
- Smartlog: E-safety / Fire Awareness - June 2026, June 2025
- Smartlog: Guideline to completing risk assessments - August 2024
- Smartlog: Fire awareness / Manual handling / Safeguarding & Prevent / Working at height - July 2024
- The National College: Annual Certificate in Online Safety for Education Settings - March 2023
- The National College: Certificate in Understanding Female Genital Mutilation - March 2023
- The National College: Certificate in the Prevent Duty - March 2023
- The National College: Certificate in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion - Jan 2023
- TES: The Prevent Duty / A Guide to UK Data Protection: Education - June 2022
- TES: Health & Safety in Education: Staff Awareness / Child Protection in Education - June 2022
- The National College: Bespoke Assessment and Feedback to Transform Pupil Outcomes - June 2022
- The National College: Lesson-to-lesson sequencing & adaptive short-term planning in line with teaching standards - June 2022
- The National College: Secondary geography: A deep dive into curriculum impact - June 2022
- Open University: Looking globally: the future of education (advanced level) - April 2020
- Open University: Assessment in Secondary Geography / Changing cities - March 2022
Timeline
Overall Head of Geography
Claires Court
2024.01 - Current
Head of Geography
Drayton Manor High
2023.01 - 2024.08
Head of Humanities
Chertsey High School
2022.09 - 2022.12
Head of Geography
Sunbury Manor School
2018.01 - 2022.08
Head of Geography
The Chalfonts Community College
2016.01 - 2017.12
Teacher of Geography
Guru Nanak Sikh Academy
2014.09 - 2015.12
Head of Humanities, Science & Drama
Wisdom School
2010.09 - 2014.07