
Simon Dawson
Social Studies Teacher
Bringing history, politics and society to life for teenagers
Secondary social studies teacher with ten years teaching history, geography, politics and citizenship to ages 11-18 in Manchester schools. Plans and delivers engaging, inquiry-led lessons, prepares students for GCSE and A-level, and helps young people make sense of the society and world around them. Lifted GCSE history results above the school average three years running through better questioning and revision strategies. Leads a department's curriculum, mentors trainee teachers, manages challenging classes with fairness and humour, and runs trips and debate clubs that bring the subject alive. A firm believer in critical thinking and in giving every student a voice. Looking for a social studies or humanities teaching post, with an interest in a head-of-department role.
Northern Heights Secondary School, Manchester - Manchester, UK
Social Studies Teacher
Lifted GCSE history results above the school average three years running through better questioning and revision.
Prepare and enter students for both GCSE and A-level, tracking and supporting their progress closely.
Lead the department's curriculum design and mentor the trainee and the newly qualified teachers.
Manage the most challenging classes with fairness and good humour, building real respect and engagement.
Run the trips and the debate clubs that bring society, history and politics to life.
Greater Manchester Academy - Manchester, UK
History & Humanities Teacher
Developed engaging schemes of work and assessment for the mixed-ability classes.
Built consistently good exam results and genuinely solid classroom behaviour-management skills there.
Moved into a broader social studies role with added department responsibilities.
Greater Manchester Academy - Manchester, UK
Trainee Teacher (PGCE)
Planned and taught full lessons under close mentor observation and feedback.
Learned classroom management, lesson planning and assessment properly on the job.
Qualified with QTS and then moved into a full teaching post.
University of Manchester
BA (Hons) History & Politics
Manchester Metropolitan University
PGCE Secondary (Humanities) with QTS
English (UK)
Native or Bilingual ProficiencyFrench
Limited Working Proficiency- Lesson Planning
- History Teaching
- Politics & Citizenship
- GCSE & A-Level Prep
- Inquiry-Led Learning
- Assessment & Feedback
- Behaviour Management
- Curriculum Design
- Mentoring Trainees
- Differentiation
- Communication
- Patience
- Enthusiasm
- Adaptability
- Fairness
Curriculum Leadership
National College for Teaching (May 2020 to Present)
Digital Tools for the Classroom
EdTech Training (June 2021 to Present)
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
Department for Education (July 2012 to Present)
GCSE & A-Level Examiner Training
AQA (April 2019 to Present)