Teacher of French (Temporary)

The Portsmouth Grammar School is a leading co-educational school located in the historic heart of Portsmouth. It values the development of the whole person, placing emphasis on both academic achievement and co-curricular involvement. 

The school seeks to appoint a well-qualified MFL specialist to teach French throughout the senior school to A Level. The ability to offer Spanish to KS3 would be an advantage.

We anticipate a part-time role of approx. 0.6 FTE, with some flexibility appreciated. We operate a fortnightly timetable and the teaching allocation for this role would be across 8 days in the fortnight. This vacancy is offered as a temporary appointment from 1st January 2022 for two terms until the end of the 2021-22 academic year.

While the IB is currently offered at PGS, the final cohort will complete their IB diploma in summer 2022.

The school offers excellent training and support to teachers at all stages of their career. PGS teachers convey passion for their subject and seek to maximise progress by knowing their pupils well and adapting their teaching accordingly. We are always looking to develop new ideas and approaches to teaching and are keen to incorporate the particular interests of new members of staff into the overall curriculum scheme.

The school welcomes applications from well qualified candidates, whether they are newly qualified or more experienced teachers.  

Outstanding teaching and learning at PGS are achieved by inspirational and creative teachers with excellent subject knowledge and the ability to use ICT and interactive resources to enhance learning.  Teachers’ planning is informed by assessment for learning, ensuring all pupils make very good progress in each lesson. Our pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning and understand how they can improve using constructive feedback provided by their teachers. 

The successful applicant will be expected to contribute fully to the pastoral and co-curricular life of the school.  The school provides excellent professional development opportunities and has an outstanding reputation for induction of newly qualified teachers.

The Modern Languages Department 

The Modern Languages department is one of the largest in the school with 10  full-time staff and six part-time staff. Additionally, the school employs part-time language assistants, all of whom are native speakers.  

 Languages have a high profile within the school. Pupils select one modern language to study in Years 7 and 8 from French, German and Spanish. They then have the opportunity to take up a second modern language in Year 9. All pupils continue with at least one Modern Foreign Language until IGCSE. 

Currently the examination board for IGCSE and A Level is Edexcel.  Typically, around 100 pupils study French to IGCSE in four or five sets, and currently five members of staff teach French, often in combination with another language.   

In the Sixth Form, French, German and Spanish are taught at A Level and at IB Standard and Higher Levels.  French is a popular study choice in the Sixth Form with a typical cohort of two A Level sets and at least one IB group in both Years 12 and 13.  Italian ab initio is taught as part of the IB course and there are additional lunchtime lessons, open to all year groups, in Mandarin and Russian.  

Results at IGCSE, IB and A Level are consistently strong and the MFL department has a strong proven record in preparing pupils for Oxbridge places. 

The department has a suite of classrooms and most full-time language teachers have their own dedicated classroom.  Each room is well equipped, all with computers and interactive whiteboards.  The department has two language laboratories, both of which are fully computerised with multi-media facilities and are supported by a dedicated ICT Technician. 

Technology, and particularly the use of tablets, is embedded in day-to-day teaching; all Year 9-13 pupils bring an iPad to lessons, so candidates with knowledge of these technologies will be desirable.   

Teachers are encouraged to use a broad range of contemporary, customised resources in teaching and there is a healthy culture of sharing teaching materials. There are also course books that work in tandem with the schemes of work, at all stages. 

A range of trips are offered to pupils including a trip to the Berlin Christmas Markets and an IGCSE study trip to Munich. The French department offers a wide range of study trips for all year groups with trips to Paris, Montpellier and Nice within the past three years.  A variety of other events are also organised to promote languages such as a Year 8 Languages Day, and the European Day of Languages as well as visits to local primary schools.  In addition, Year 12 pupils successfully support French teaching in our Junior School.   

 Benefits

The Portsmouth Grammar School prides itself on being a caring employer and all staff are encouraged to discuss any aspects of their terms and conditions of employment initially with their line manager and, as necessary, with the Bursar who signs all contracts of employment on behalf of the Governing Body.

The school is a strong supporter of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and its INSET programme of Professional Development Days provides staff with many personal development opportunities. 

Key financial benefits of employment at PGS include a generous salary structure supplemented by payment of an additional PGS Allowance.  There are many opportunities to take on additional paid responsibilities to assist in the management and operation of the school. The school participates in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.

The school also has a generous fee concession for the children of teaching staff.  The school supports the Cycle to Work scheme and all members of staff have free use of the school’s sports facilities that include a well-equipped Fitness Centre. A two course lunch is provided during term, with a full evening meal provided before all parents evenings. 

The school is always looking for innovative ways to improve the working conditions and remuneration of its employees and welcomes suggestions from all staff. 

How to Apply

PGS is committed to safeguarding children and the successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure DBS check. 

Further information is available on the website at www.pgs.org.uk under the ‘About Us’ section and any queries regarding the vacancy should be emailed to HR@pgs.org.uk. 

An electronic application would be preferable, submitted to HR@pgs.org.uk.  All applicants should complete an application form, and send a covering letter addressed to the Head, Dr Anne Cotton, together with a full curriculum vitae.  All applications should be accompanied by the names, addresses, email and telephone numbers of three referees. 

Candidates are also welcome to apply through the TES website using the application form linked to our PGS advert.

The closing date is noon 21st June 2021 and early applications are encouraged. Interviews will be held on Monday 28th June 2021, with shortlisted candidates invited to teach an observed lesson as part of the interview day. 

We look forward to hearing from you.