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Teacher of German

Teacher of German

Sevenoaks School

Sevenoaks, Kent

Salary:
Sevenoaks has its own competitive salary scale
Job type:
Full Time, Fixed Term
Apply by:
15 June 2019

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 Diploma Programme. A co-educational day and boarding school, it offers a stimulating, intellectually demanding and balanced education for students from the age of 11 to 18. 

Inspiring facilities, together with expert, enthusiastic and imaginative teaching, provide rich opportunities for students participating in lessons, and a wide variety of sports and the performing arts. 

The school’s international make-up and outlook promote the principles of tolerance and open-mindedness. About 350 students board in the seven boarding houses, and students originate from some 40 countries worldwide. 

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 students’ 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.

This excellence is achieved by bright, motivated students, inspired by highly qualified and dedicated teachers in well-resourced classrooms. The school has over 150 teaching staff, well supported by a large number of ancillary staff. A professional pastoral team of specialist tutors, boarding house staff and year heads give care and guidance, promoting student happiness. The mutual respect shared by students and staff generates a harmonious and purposeful atmosphere. 

Every student is encouraged to be curious, creative, critically aware, and to develop his or her passion and talent to the full. Life is fast-paced and dynamic and expectations are high. At the same time, the school seeks to cultivate in its students the habit of reflecting on their learning, and on how they contribute to society more broadly. Ambitious and principled, confident and compassionate, our students are prepared for leadership and teamwork in the wider world. 

Regular assemblies, tutor group meetings and a programme of talks develop our students’ social and emotional understanding. A long tradition of voluntary service and local and international charity projects advance a core set of values throughout the School.

The Languages Faculty
The Languages Faculty is large, energetic and ambitious.  The Faculty includes major European languages, Mandarin Chinese 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, Mandarin, Spanish and Russian are available to (I)GCSE, and comprise part of the IB Diploma programme, where Italian is  also offered as a language option.  There are 25 language teachers and a number of visiting language tutors who offer additional languages teaching to native speakers.  There are also nine full-time language assistants for French, German, Russian, Spanish 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. 

From September 2015, all pupils joining the school in Year 7 take Latin plus one modern language from a choice of French and Spanish.  In Year 8 a second modern language is offered from a choice of French, Mandarin, Spanish, Russian or German.  A number of pupils choose to take up to four languages to (I)GCSE, two modern and two  classical.  All (I)GCSE examinations are completed in Year 11 except for bilingual pupils, who take their examinations in Year 10.  

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.  Classical languages are thriving, too, and many students opt to study languages at top universities.  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 seven countries with several partner schools.  In addition, a full-time Languages secretary and Exchange Co-ordinator helps with the administration of the department.

The German Department
The department comprises three teachers and one native language assistant, who plays a vital role in contributing to the emphasis on contemporary language and cultural awareness. German is available as a beginner’s class in Year 8 and Year 9. The department has a strong track record of retaining pupils through to CIE German Foreign Language (I)GCSE. German is a popular subject in the Sixth Form, where it is available at both Higher and Standard level at both Language A (native speaker) and Language B (post-GCSE). There are several literature-based clubs available to native speakers, designed as a preparation for studying the IB A Literature course in the Sixth Form. 

The German department runs several trips abroad, a highly popular Christmas Market Trip to Munich in Year 8, a study trip to Berlin with Y10, and a study tour to Vienna in Lower Sixth.

The Post
We seek to appoint an enthusiastic and able graduate to teach full-time from September 2019.  The post could be for one year or permanent. Love of the subject and an ability to convey this to students is essential, and being a native speaker would be an advantage.  The successful candidate will be willing and able to teach across the year groups and ability range. She or he will work well with a forward thinking and dynamic team. We welcome applications from teachers new to the profession as well as those with teaching experience. The opportunity to train for PGCE may be available.  The German department and the Modern Languages Faculty offer a range of activities beyond the classroom, to which all members of the department are expected to contribute.  

A commitment to excellent pastoral care and enriching co-curricular activities is also expected.

For further details please see the attached Job Description

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