AQA
Lead Developer - GCSE Geography
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Lead Developer - GCSE Geography
Lead Developers - Assessment Reform - GCSE Geography
Closing date: 12 Jul 2026, 11:00 pm
Do you want to play a hands-on role in shaping future GCSE specifications?
Every educator brings a unique perspective, and those perspectives matter when it comes to shaping qualifications that work for all learners.
We’re looking for educators who want to turn their classroom experience into national impact. As the leading provider of GCSE and A-level qualifications, and an education charity, we’re committed to supporting learners from all backgrounds realise their potential.
We’re now recruiting Lead Developers to support the development of our reformed specifications. These roles are flexible and mostly remote.
What you’ll do
The role involves contributing to the full assessment development process, ensuring alignment with curriculum requirements and best practice in assessment design.
You will:
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Develop the specification in line with AQA assessment design principles and regulatory frameworks, grounded in:
- A strong understanding of centre delivery contexts and learner diversity
- Assessment standards and pedagogy for the intended
- approaches to learning and assessment throughout the curriculum
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Contribute to the shaping of the overall assessment strategy.
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Review and provide feedback on outputs of research and analysis.
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Support developers in creating:
- Assessment materials such as:
- Question papers
- Mark schemes
- Item commentaries
- Assessment materials such as:
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Support market testing and evaluation of:
- Sample assessment materials (SAMs)
- The wider customer support offering
The qualification development programme is expected to run over approximately 18 to 24 months, with most work conducted remotely, while attending 10 days’ worth of meetings (either virtual or in-person) throughout.
Application requirements
In your personal statement, provide evidence of:
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Substantial teaching experience in GCSE Geography or equivalent, typically gained through several years of classroom practice, alongside deep subject expertise.
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Experience developing specifications, writing or reviewing questions, and/or marking/moderating assessments.
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Strong leadership skills, capable of leading with positivity, mentoring colleagues, and managing teams.
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Accountability and ability to meet strict deadlines while balancing multiple workload priorities.
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Understanding of regulatory obligations and inclusivity in assessment design, policy research and curriculum developments.
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Commitment to quality and consistency with a track record of producing error-free material.
How you’ll make a difference
You’ll play a vital role in shaping specifications that reflect the needs of:
- Teachers
- Learners
Your work enables fair, high-quality outcomes for every learner, and contributes to subject development standards across education. By collaborating with experts, you’ll help pioneer new approaches aligned with evolving needs in education.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
This is an opportunity to:
- Strengthen your professional credibility within the sector.
- Gain valuation-priced experience in shaping education strategies.
You can expect to become part of AQA’s large pool of contributors, making lasting changes to your subject and beyond.
Remuneration and further details
A worker fee basis applies, with contract reviews annually and a restriction of 50 weeks per year.
- Your total fees will range between £4,000–£6,000.
- Expectations include a strict attention to approach, fairness and consistency throughout development stages.
In your personal statement, you must provide detailed examples from your experience to demonstrate suitability, referencing the criteria above.
⚠️ Important notice: If you apply for multiple Lead Developer positions, a separate application is required for each role.
Key logistics
- Closing date: Sunday 12 July at 23:00.
- Remote interviews: Scheduled for late July to mid-August.
- Eligibility: Existing AQA/main awarding organisation associate roles may need to be relinquished if successful.
Diversity commitment: AQA welcomes applications from all backgrounds, regardless of gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any other characteristic.
For further inquiries, contact seniorrecruitment@aqa.org.uk.
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