Head of Modern Languages

Eastbourne College seeks to appoint an inspirational Head of Modern Languages from September 2019. The right person will have a marvellous opportunity to work in a stimulating environment where resources, buildings, colleagues and pupils all strengthen the process of teaching and learning.

The  College is a co-educational HMC independent school of just over 620 pupils, of whom half are full-time boarders. It is a strong community with excellent links with local schools and the remarkable town in which it is located.

Academic standards are very high with an average of 80% of A-level grades being awarded A*, A or B in recent years. At GCSE approximately two thirds of all grades awarded are A* or A (or equivalent). In GCSE separate science, grades are typically in excess of 90% A* or A. The College recruits from a wide ability range and value added outcomes are exemplary. The majority of College leavers enter higher education in leading universities at home or abroad.

As we celebrated out 150th year, the College completed the most ambitious development project in its history. Project 150 saw the delivery of over 30 state of the art classrooms, ICT suites, a new swimming pool, café, school shop, dance studio, sports hall, squash courts, dining hall and fitness suite. We believe that the College has some of the best facilities of any school in the UK. For further information about Project 150 and our future development plans, please visit the website:

https://www.eastbourne-college.co.uk/about-us/our-future/

Eastbourne College places great emphasis on the importance of developing a school in which education is built on core values and positive, supportive relationships. These central qualities will endure long after a student moves on from the College. The five key values of participation, the pursuit of excellence, integrity, courtesy and kindness are, it believes, the bedrock upon which every child’s education should stand, providing them with the wherewithal to flourish both at school and beyond.

More information about the College may be found by visiting the website:

www.eastbourne-college.co.uk

News of latest events can also be found by visiting our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/EastbourneCollege

The Post

We are looking for someone who is passionate about modern languages with the ability to communicate their enthusiasm in an inventive and inspirational way. She or he will be able to demonstrate originality in teaching, inspire creativity in pupils and staff, and inculcate the skills necessary for excellence in examinations while maintaining excitement and interest in learning.

The successful applicant will be expected to teach GCSE and A level French (an ability to teach other languages is desirable) to eager and enthusiastic pupils throughout the school. He or she will be able to cope with administration competently yet speedily, leaving him or her free to concentrate on inspiring teachers and motivating young people. The Head of Modern Languages will have opportunity to take the time to reflect and plan, and when appropriate they will be able genuinely to enjoy the exuberant life of the College. All members of the Common Room are expected to play an additional part in the boarding life of the school, e.g. by acting as tutors in one of the day or boarding houses, by offering their expertise in coaching team sports, or contributing to music, drama, debating etc. The department has a long tradition of wide and varied contribution, recognising the value it brings to relationships with pupils in the classroom.

The College has its own salary scale and the successful applicant will be placed on the scale at a level commensurate with their experience and qualifications. There is also a generous responsibility allowance for this important management role. Accommodation may be available for single or married applicants, including those with families. Teachers benefit from a generous rate for the education of their own children, and there are similar arrangements with St. Andrew’s preparatory school.

The Department

The Modern Languages department is one of the largest and liveliest departments in the school, offering French, German and Spanish to A level and Oxbridge entrance and an accelerated programme for talented linguists. Our academic results are strong at GCSE and A level. The department, comprising 11 teachers and 3 language assistants, is housed in the Memorial Block, with a modern digital language laboratory situated in Cloisters. All classrooms have electronic whiteboards / touchscreens and audio and video facilities.

The majority of pupils entering Year 9 study French and are given the opportunity to choose Spanish or German as an additional foreign language as described above. For those who wish to study a language outside of the main curriculum, we offer self-study courses in Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Italian, Russian, French, German and Spanish. We offer a wide range of opportunities beyond the classroom, ranging from quiz, film and cultural evenings to visits to universities and the London institutes and trips abroad, including exchange visits.