1. Open Reference for Kent Richard Cox
Geography Supply Teacher April – July 2014. Highlands School.
Background
Highlands School is an 11-18, mixed gender, state school in the suburbs of North London. Whilst its intake is
predominately Socio Economic groups C and B there is a very broad range of backgrounds and attainment
and has a wide cultural and racial mix typical of most London schools. Both the school and the faculty are high
performing with strong results at A Level and GCSE.
Kent joined the Humanities Faculty at a time when Geography was temporarily down 3 of its 4 staff to cover a
Maternity post, but at a time when the Head of Geography was suddenly off on long term illness. He had to
pick up a hastily rearranged timetable that included a Yr 10 group going into their GCSE Geog exam in May.
Teaching Ability
We selected Kent from a competitive interview process, part of which included a lesson observation. The
lesson title was centred around “The Advantages of Fair Trade” and Kent’s lesson captivated a Year 8 class.
There was excellent use of learning objectives, interactivity ( each desk got a variety of Fairtrade and non
Fairtrade chocolate to analyse) and linked it well to possible assessment questions. Immediately we could
identify how good his rapport with students was and how he was able to engage them with skilful Q/ A and
structured written activities. The lesson was grades 2+ ( Very Good) which given the time restraints and his
unfamiliarity with the school set up / criteria was very impressive.
This continued throughout his term at Highlands. Kent quickly won over disaffected classes with his ability to
link topics to current issues or by using well selected items from the internet, and by balancing the need for the
content to be delivered but also by getting the students to engage and think. This was no more evident than
with the Yr 10 class where their popular teacher had left and they were well behind with the course content.
Kent ensured that several topics were blitzed quickly, yet again ensuring the material was accessible and linked
to exam assessments.
Although no further formal lessons observations were carried out, I regularly came into lessons to pass on
resources, answer queries or on day to day matters and without fail the students were on task and being
provided with good quality teaching. He was keen to pilot a local field study - beyond his job requirement – but
although we were able to do a reconnaissance trip time ran out.
The Yr 10 class went into their exams in a much better position and frame of mind than we could have hoped 2
months earlier, and produced some pleasing results that averaged out around the class Target points score,
gained 75% A-C and included 3 A* students.
Social Skills and Personal Qualities
Attendance was excellent and above the teacher average.
Punctuality was also excellent with Kent often in early setting up for the day.
He has very good interpersonal skills and quickly became a part of the team in a short space of time. Kent’s
calm disposition is also a tremendous asset both to staff he works with and for the students. Both of these
enabled him to establish himself with a strong reputation and nearer the end of the term he was able to also
help out in other key areas of the school, volunteering to help out in PE clubs and Sports Day to name a few.
We would have no hesitation in re appointing him and Kent comes strongly recommended on his short but
successful time at Highlands School.
Neill Kedward
Head of Humanities
July 24th
2015