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Teacher of French

Teacher of French

Sevenoaks School

Sevenoaks, Kent

Salary:
Sevenoaks has its own salary scale
Job type:
Full Time, Permanent
Start date:
September 2018
Apply by:
21 February 2018

Job overview

 The School

Founded in 1432, Sevenoaks enjoys a global reputation as a centre of academic excellence and a flagship school for the International Baccalaureate. A co-educational day and boarding school, it offers a stimulating, intellectually demanding and balanced education for pupils from the age of 11 to 18. 

In 2013 the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) awarded Sevenoaks School the rare accolade of ‘Exceptional’ for its students’ achievement. In the new style inspection in 2017 pupils’ achievement and personal development were judged excellent, the highest grades. Sevenoaks was also the highest performing fully co-educational school, and the one with the largest cohort, in The Sunday Times Parent Power’s top 50 fee-paying schools for the IB in 2015. In 2017 we were, for the second time in 10 years, awarded The Sunday Times Independent School of the Year for 2018.

The Modern Languages Faculty

The Languages Faculty is large, energetic and ambitious. The Faculty includes major European languages and Additional Languages. The Heads of these languages work together as a team under the leadership of the Head of Faculty. A diverse range of modern languages is taught: French, German, Spanish, Russian and Mandarin are available to (I)GCSE, and comprise part of the IB Diploma programme, where Italian and Mandarin are also offered as language options. There are 25 language teachers and a number of visiting language tutors who offer additional languages teaching to native speakers. There are also several full-time language assistants for French, German, Spanish, Russian and Mandarin.

A modern departmental area was created in September 2000, with 15 classrooms, a language laboratory and a computer suite. All rooms are equipped with computer projectors. 

All pupils joining the school in Year 7 take French or Spanish and Latin. In Year 8 a second modern language is offered from a choice of Spanish, Russian, German or Mandarin. A number of pupils choose to take three languages to (I)GCSE, two modern and one classical. All (I)GCSE examinations are completed in Year 11. 

In the Sixth Form all students take the International Baccalaureate examinations at either Higher or Standard Level depending on their background; students’ levels range from Ab Initio right up to native speaker standard. A language, modern or classical, is a core requirement within the programme, and the vast majority of our 440 Sixth Formers take a modern language at one of the three levels. The presence of almost 200 students with international backgrounds enriches the student body and develops interest in other countries. There are regular university and Oxbridge successes, and several Sevenoaks modern language debating teams have enjoyed the status of national champions in recent years.

The Language departments run a series of exchanges or study trips in four countries with several partner schools. In addition, a full-time Languages Secretary and Exchange Co-ordinator helps with the administration of the department.

The French Department

The department comprises nine teachers and three language assistants, who play a vital role in contributing to the emphasis on contemporary language and cultural awareness. At present French or Spanish is compulsory in Year 7 to Year 9. The language becomes optional in Year 10, though most choose to continue with it through to IGCSE, which is sat with the CIE examining board. Classes are set according to ability, ranging from beginners in Year 7 and Year 9 through to bilingual students in the Sixth Form. In the Lower and Middle Schools, native speakers are taught separately by one of the French language assistants, and they have the opportunity of taking French IGCSE and the DEFL exam. French is a very popular subject for IB, where it is available at both Higher and Standard level at both Language A (native speaker) and Language B (post-GCSE). The French department runs a series of exchanges with partner schools, especially in Year 9 and the Lower Sixth.

The Post 

The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic and well-qualified graduate who will contribute to the development of modern languages at Sevenoaks, teaching French across the year groups and ability ranges. A talented linguist, he or she would be comfortable teaching literature to Sixth Form students, as well as potentially working with bilingual pupils throughout the age ranges. The ability to teach a second modern language may be an advantage, but is by no means required. Enthusiasm and team spirit are essential, and the candidate must be willing to organise and accompany trips abroad. We welcome applications from teachers new to the profession as well as those with teaching experience. A commitment to excellent pastoral care, enriching co-curricular and outreach activities is also expected.

Attached documents

About Sevenoaks School

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+44 1732 455133

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Founded in 1432, Sevenoaks enjoys a global reputation as a centre of academic excellence and a flagship school for the International Baccalaureate.  A co-educational day and boarding school, it offers a stimulating, intellectually demanding and balanced education for over 1200 students from ages 11 to 18.

Sevenoaks is one of the world’s leading IB schools, having taught the International Baccalaureate for over 40 years.  For nearly 20 years, all Sixth Form students have taken the full IB Diploma with consistently outstanding academic results which are testament to the school’s experience and commitment to the programme.

In 2023, the average Diploma score was 39.0 points, about eight points above the world average.  The Higher Education department supported applications of 246 students to universities in the UK, USA, Canada, Europe and Hong Kong with an outstanding 93 per cent progressing to their firm choice university.  The majority attend Oxbridge, London universities, or other Russell Group universities such as Bristol or Durham.  We also support about 20 per cent of our students in applying to international universities with increasing numbers going to North America, specifically Ivy League and top universities in the United States.

The school is situated in the Kent market town of Sevenoaks and has a prime position at the top of the high street.  The 100-acre site, which includes several listed buildings and attractive gardens, is beautifully landscaped and adjoins the medieval deer park of Knole.  London is only a 30-minute train ride away.  Gatwick airport is only 30 minutes by car, and there are good transport links to other London airports and the Channel Tunnel.

Sevenoaks students have access to a fantastic range of facilities on campus for co-curricular pursuits, including sport, music, drama and art, at least 70 clubs and societies, a wide range of study trips and exchanges, and a well-established community service programme.  Recent developments on campus include a superb sports centre, and a state-of-the-art performing arts centre, and a world-class Science and Technology Centre and a Global Study Centre for the Sixth Form.  An additional boarding house for boys, a contemporary building with light, modern facilities, opened in 2019, and a new girls’ boarding house is expected to open in 2024.

With seven distinctive and comfortable boarding houses, our boarding community is fun, friendly, and busy.  Boarding provides an excellent transition from home to independence and maturity; the Sixth Form boarding houses enable boys and girls to enjoy the benefits of boarding at an important stage in their school careers, and to prepare for life at university.

Accolades

In 2018 Sevenoaks School was, for the second time in 10 years, awarded The Sunday Times Independent School of the Year.  In the same year, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) awarded Sevenoaks School the highest grade – ‘Excellent’ – in both categories which formed the basis of the inspection: ‘Pupils’ Achievement’ and ‘Pupils’ Personal Development’.

Teaching at Sevenoaks:

Teaching here is immensely rewarding: we work in high-performing teams towards a shared endeavour.  Everyone appointed to teach at Sevenoaks School is expected to engage actively in all aspects of our broad and well-rounded education.

We want all our pupils to enjoy their subjects, to be inspired by their teachers and to become independent, lifelong learners.  Teachers are enthusiastic and well-qualified graduates.  We have an exceptionally lively, talented and committed staff body. We welcome applications from experienced teachers and newly-qualified teachers, but can also provide training including PGCE for those joining the profession at whatever stage.  All new staff undertake a comprehensive induction programme.  Sevenoaks is committed to supporting its staff with training and professional development tailored to staff needs and interests.

All teachers are involved in proactive pastoral care.  All teachers participate in the co-curriculum and, as our outreach activities expand, contribute to our work with local pupils and schools.  Teachers at Sevenoaks are innovative and forward-thinking many are involved in the Institutes of Teaching and Learning, Higher Education and Professional Insight, and Service and Partnerships, shaping further development and initiatives for students and staff alike.

What people say about us:

‘Tough for any university not to be an anti-climax after Sevenoaks.’ Good Schools Guide.

The International Baccalaureate

All new staff undertake a comprehensive induction programme.  No previous experience of teaching the International Baccalaureate, which we have taught since 1978, is necessary; gaining experience of teaching the IB, an internationally recognised qualification which we believe offers outstanding preparation for university and beyond, is stimulating and undoubtedly a valuable career asset.  Information about the IB can be found on the website www.ibo.org.

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Applications closed