Post Graduate Assistant Teacher English

Harrow School is situated in Harrow on the Hill in north-west London. The School is located on a 324-acre estate which encompasses much of Harrow on the Hill and is one of the best-known schools in the world. Around 837 boys study at Harrow and live in the School’s 12 boarding houses. Employees particularly value the School’s beautiful green estate, the positive working environment, and good relationships with their colleagues.

An opportunity has arisen at Harrow for a Post Graduate Assistant Teacher (PGAT) of English. The post comes with a generous package, including rent-free accommodation and health cover provided free of charge for you and at a reduced rate for any members of your immediate family that you may wish to add. All meals are provided free of charge during term time.

PGAT appointments are fixed term contracts and are typically for one academic year, with the possibility of the contract being renewed for a second year. These positions give successful candidates the opportunity to experience life at a leading independent boarding school, to acquire and develop teaching skills, and to make a significant contribution outside the timetable to the School’s extra-curricular activities and in the super-curricular programme for academic extension. PGATs teach a reduced timetable, typically no more than 20 timetabled lessons of 40 minutes’ duration per week and assist in departments more generally in ways appropriate to their experience and ability. In addition, the School provides training in skills both related to teaching and transferable to other professions. The role of PGAT will allow those interested in pursuing a career in teaching to gain directly relevant experience and training, and those more likely to move into another profession beyond the end of their time at Harrow to acquire skills beneficial for their future careers in other areas, including banking, consultancy and the law.

Harrow’s English department has a strong tradition of combining creative teaching with extremely strong examination performance. The department currently prepares boys for CAIE IGCSE in both English and English Literature; in recent public exams, 76% of English grades were 9-7 and 95% of English Literature grades were 9-7. At A level, boys follow the OCR specification and results have been consistently impressive: in 2023, 44% achieved A* grades and 78% A*-A grades. The department consists of nine full-time teachers, some of whom teach Drama as well as English. Teachers have well-equipped classrooms, including a Surface Book computer and a projector to enable the effective us of IT. Teachers are given a considerable level of freedom in the choice of texts where possible, and boys are encouraged to read widely and ambitiously. The School’s reading strategy ensures that each boy has ring-fenced time each week for reading simply for pleasure. There are numerous competitions that run throughout the academic year, from poetry recitation to short-story writing. There are two main English societies, both named after prominent Old Harrovian writers – The Sheridan Society and L P Hartley Society.

Please visit the School’s website at https://www.harrowschool.org.uk/contact/work-at-harrow

Or click on the 'Apply on School website' button for more detailed information about the role, and to complete our online application form

Informal enquiries about the role would be welcome: please contact Mr. Emon Keshavarz, Head of English (maternity cover) – emk@harrowschool.org.uk

Closing date: 8am, Monday 13 May 2024.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful applicant must be willing to undergo child protection screening including checks with any past employer and the DBS.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are values that are important to us at Harrow. We believe in diversity of thought and actively welcome anyone regardless of their background to bring their valuable and relevant skills to our community.