Teacher of English

Who are Habs?

We are a diverse community, and we nurture a global perspective and a deep sense of responsibility for the world in which our pupils will lead and succeed. Our broad curriculum and co-curricular provision prepare pupils for success wherever their passion may take them. Ambition, Curiosity, Courage, and Community are the core beliefs that we stand for here at Habs.

Join our team and unlock your potential!

This is a short-term, fixed term role until January 2025. 

The English Department 

This thriving and successful department consists of 8 teachers, some of whom are part time; all teach English throughout the senior school from Year 7 to A Level. The department has 6 dedicated teaching rooms, all with smartboards. All staff and pupils in years 7 to 11 are issued with individual electronic devices (iPads or Microsoft Surface laptops) which can be used at school and at home for school purposes. Sixth Form pupils bring their own devices to lessons. Staff are issued with a laptop.

Curriculum 

In the Middle School (Years 7-9) students are taught in mixed ability form groups. We have devised our own KS3 curriculum; the emphasis is on reading widely and working creatively, developing an understanding of core skills and of different literary and non-literary forms, combined with an ability to appreciate a variety of interpretations.  

At GCSE all students follow the Edexcel specifications for English (IGCSE Spec A) and English Literature (GCSE).  

English Literature A Level: students follow the Edexcel A Level specification. Classes are mixed, with both Girls and Boys School students.

English Language A Level: from Sept 2025, students will follow the AQA English Language specification and classes are joint with the Boys School.

2023 results were as follows: 

 A Level English Literature:    71% of results were A*/A 

A Level English Language       83% of results were A*/A

IGCSE English:                             86% of results were grade 9/8/7 

GCSE English Lit:                        83% of results were grade 9/8/7  

Departmental Vision 

We aim to foster in our students an understanding and love of literature in all its varied forms; an interest in awareness of the different uses and effects of language; intellectual curiosity; the confidence to express informed, independent judgements in oral and written work; the ability to take responsibility for their own learning; and, above all, a sensitivity and respect for other points of view. We are a forward-thinking department who freely share best practice and resources. Weekly department meetings focus on teaching and learning; a key recent focus has been on increasing the diversity and range of the texts that our students encounter. We encourage students to develop personal skills which extend beyond the classroom, supporting them to become confident, articulate, independent thinkers, speakers and writers.  

Departmental Trips and Extra-Curricular Opportunities 

We have developed our own Critical Readers’ Award which encourages students to undertake a range of private reading. Drama is taught by specialists, but contribution to drama clubs and productions is welcomed by the Drama department. We regularly invite in writers and speakers, including lecturers and alumni. We take students on theatre trips and on residential trips. We have a writer in residence each year who works with students and runs workshops; past writers include Caroline Bird, Vanessa Kisuule, Anthony Anaxagorou and Rachel Long.  

All members of the department contribute to the school’s extensive extra-curricular provision, from running clubs to supporting our highly motivated students in poetry competitions like Poetry by Heart; students have been finalists in national competitions such as the Foyles Young Poet and EMC/Forward Creative Critics competition in the past few years. We also run internal competitions and quizzes, including a novel writing competition and House Poetry. The department is passionate about developing learning above and beyond the curriculum and students are encouraged to pursue their individual English-related interests through events throughout the year.  

The Role 

The person appointed will be responsible for teaching students of all age ranges from 11 to 18.  

Common responsibilities of subject teachers include, but are not limited to, the following: 

Strategic School Aims and Objectives 

• providing a challenging, positive, stimulating and secure learning community for students 
• contributing to cross-curricular work within the school 
• ensuring health and safety regulations are adhered to 

Staff Development 

• inspiring and motivate colleagues through their own passion for the subject 
• assuming areas of responsibility as delegated by the Head of Department 
• ensuring that appropriate in-service training is undertaken as required 
• participating in the extensive Teaching & Learning programme available  

Curriculum and Timetable 

• planning and resourcing lessons 
• contributing willingly and significantly to departmental schemes of work 
• contributing willingly and significantly to extra-curricular activities 
• encouraging and supporting students in extra-curricular activities 

Academic Monitoring and Assessment 

• marking class and homework 
• writing reports 
• attending Parents’ Evenings 
• marking school examinations and controlled assessments 

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

The Haberdashers’ Boys’ and Girls' Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced check. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.