Head of English as an Additional Language

Rochester Independent College is seeking to appoint a Head of English as an Additional Language. A qualification in and experience of teaching EAL is required, as is knowledge of IELTS and significant management experience. 

With students receiving specialist EAL support across the College, this is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and suitably qualified individual to make a significant difference to the learning opportunities and personal development of a number of largely overseas students, the majority of whom are in the Sixth Form and are College boarders. Highly experienced applicants are welcome, but the successful candidate will be committed to supporting the needs of EAL students in one-to-one and small group tuition sessions.

The role is an enriching and rewarding one and will see you contribute fully to the work of a team dedicated to the welfare of the College’s EAL students. Working closely with Heads of Departments across the college the post holder will promote and teach EAL, facilitating access to the curriculum for students where English is not their first language.

The postholder will lead on all aspects of EAL provision and include involvement in the admissions procedure and in the performance management in the appraisal of teaching and learning. You will provide support and guidance to students, by removing language barriers to learning in order to promote effective participation, raise aspirations and achieve full potential. Working across other academic departments you will promote the development, implementation and evaluation of teaching and learning strategies to maximise student outcomes in English. You will offer guidance and training to teachers in their delivery of lessons to EAL students as well as line-managing the team of EAL teachers. 

You will monitor and evaluate teachers’ planning for language and respond appropriately to emergent issues and data indicators. You will also develop EAL teaching within our community that improves the quality of services for students with their language and learning development. 

You will also actively support the running of extra curricular and cultural activities, particularly those involving our international student community. 

Rochester Independent College was founded as a sixth form college in 1984 and offers a fresh alternative to traditional independent education. There is no uniform and students and teachers are on first name terms. Today, Rochester Independent College (RIC) has over 380 students from the age of 11 and offers places for boarders from the age of 14.

Classes are small. On average there are 8 students in each group. As well as a full secondary education from year 7 to sixth form, the College specialises in intensive one year A level and GCSE courses. We also have a good track record of excellent results on retake A level and GCSE courses for students aiming at competitive university courses including Medicine, Law, Veterinary Science and Dentistry.

Rochester Independent College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitations of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020

Please go to our website to find our Safeguarding policy - https://rochester-college.org/information/policies-1

Being You @ RIC: Our students come from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures and so do we. We want our staff to find a home at RIC and aim to give them the freedom to be themselves at work. We want our community to be an inclusive one where there are meaningful levels of representation across all parts of the College. A commitment to inclusivity is at the heart of RIC’s Project 2025 development planning. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment at RIC.

The college reserves the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date.