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KS3 English Coordinator & English Teacher

KS3 English Coordinator & English Teacher

The Downs School

West Berkshire

  • Expired
Salary:
Main/Upper Scale & TLR2a
Job type:
Full Time, Permanent
Start date:
Flexible
Apply by:
12 April 2024

Job overview

We are looking to recruit a talented and enthusiastic Teacher of English to join our successful and welcoming school. Applications are encouraged from Year 1 and Year 2 ECTs, as well as more experienced teachers.  

The successful candidate will:

  • be a well-motivated practitioner, keen to show their enthusiasm for English
  • contribute to the development of the department as part of a dedicated team of teachers
  • have the ability to form positive and trusting relationships with students based on a therapeutic approach, using consistency, firm boundaries, and kindness
  • attend transition meetings with cross-phase curriculum team & plan transition day lessons
  • organise a team to run KS3 educational visits
  • work with HOF to ensure assessments are up-to-date, lead KS3 Open Evening with HOF & KS3 QA
  • contribute to CPAD meetings- sharing best practice, KS3 items
  • have a professional attitude that is open to innovative ways of working
  • be committed to working in partnership with the English team other staff
  • be flexible and adaptable when faced with challenges


In return you will:

  • experience a caring, positive ethos that prioritises staff wellbeing and recognition
  • be empowered to work with ambitious, dedicated, capable staff who are deeply committed to develop the whole child
  • experience working with children who enjoy being at school, behave exceptionally and have excellent attitudes to learning
  • work in a professional, stimulating, and collaborative working environment
  • experience outstanding professional development and support to grow and develop as a teacher


The English Department is a very successful department and achieves outstanding GCSE and A Level results. At KS3, we have designed an exciting curriculum that is centred around creating a love of our subject whilst simultaneously establishing a strong foundation that honours the discipline of studying English. We provide enrichment activities and have specific lessons dedicated to celebrating and developing reading fluency and comprehension. At GCSE, we teach the national curriculum through the AQA Examination Board. We provide two A level courses (English Literature with Edexcel and the combined English Language & English Literature A Level with AQA.)

The department are committed to mixed ability teaching and supporting other students in smaller groups if needed. The team collaborates well together. The English department offer a range of extra-curricular events, challenges and trips including theatre trips, curriculum enriching opportunities like a visit to HMS Victory in relation to a Year 7 text, Spelling Bees, reading with our federation primary schools and many other events and courses; all of these are designed to enable students to thrive in and out of the English classroom. The Faculty also includes the Media/Film department. There is also easy access to PC suites for all teaching groups. 

The Downs School, a Foundation, 11-18 comprehensive school, is a successful, oversubscribed, and popular school serving the Downs area of West Berkshire. The roll is over 1400 with a well-established sixth form. Results at all levels are consistently outstanding and the best in West Berkshire, and Ofsted described our students as having ‘excellent personal and social skills’ who ‘achieve well academically.’

More information about the post and the school can be found on our web site www.thedownsschool.org or by contacting Clare Lowery, HR Manager on 01635 270022. Please submit your application to recruitment@thedownsschool.org by Friday 12th April 2024.

 

The Downs School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Check through the DBS and provide evidence that they have a right to work in the UK.


Attached documents

About The Downs School

Welcome to our School

The Downs School & Sixth Form is a co-educational, non-denominational school set in the heart of the West Berkshire Downs. We provide a balanced approach to the pursuit of excellence by offering an interesting, challenging and lively curriculum. Students gain academic, creative, sporting and social skills, both in and out of the classroom, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience for all. We also place a strong emphasis on the partnership between staff, students and parents and respect the trust placed upon us by parents who actively choose our school for their children.

Our Sixth Form is vibrant, welcoming, all-inclusive and purposeful. Staff, students and parents work together to create an environment in which our young people are supported to realise their full potential and achieve their personal goals.

We have a proven track record of success, and our 2021 results maintained our strong tradition of excellence, making us very proud of our students’ achievements. At GCSE, 89% of our students achieved grades A*-C, with 79% of students achieving A*- strong pass and 40% of students achieving grades A*-A. Our A Level results were equally as impressive, with 91% of students achieving A*-C grades, 72% % A*-B grades and 50% A*-A grades.

Values and vision

Our staff are committed to excellence and achievement at all levels and we develop our students into well-rounded young adults, able to venture into a rapidly changing world with confidence and determination. These principles are summed up in our school vision ‘Educating today’s young people for the world of tomorrow.’ Ofsted has judged us as outstanding in every category but we are not a school that wants to stand still. We know that there is always more  to do to ensure that every child’s educational experience is rich, character building and of the highest possible standard. We are striving to beyond outstanding through our philosophy of “Learning together, learning for life.”

We work in partnership with our students who contribute to the decision-making in the school, ensuring they feel valued and confident. Despite our size, we pride ourselves on our small school feel.

Beyond the classroom

Learning extends beyond the classroom to extra-curricular activities and trips, both within the UK and overseas. Lessons are brought to life through a wide range of educational trips; from visiting theatres in London and New York for our Performing Arts students, an annual Geography trip to Iceland and exchange visits for our language students to France. Our Sixth Form students often choose to join the bi-annual skiing trip and there is the opportunity to take part in a major expedition. Past expeditions have travelled to Ecuador, Norway and India.

We also offer other opportunities including inter-house sporting competitions and a variety of lunchtime and after school sport clubs. For those interested in dance, music or drama we offer a number of house competitions through the year and the opportunity to take part in our annual productions which have included Les Miserables and Billy Elliott. We also offer opportunities in debating, public speaking, creative writing and more.

Ofsted

“Students make very rapid progress across all year groups and in a wide range of subjects. The proportions of current Year 11 students making more than expected progress from Key Stage 2 in English and mathematics are very high. Together with students’ very high levels of attainment, this represents outstanding and sustained high achievement throughout Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4."

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Applications closed