Spanish Language Assistant

We are looking to appoint a friendly and outgoing Spanish Language Teaching Assistant to our academically ambitious and popular Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) department. This position is part-time, approximately 2 days per week over 2 or 3 days (the timetable has yet to be confirmed). The position will be offered on a fixed-term basis from 2 September 2024 until 31 August 2025, with the possibility of extension for another year. The position would particularly suit a Master's student or someone already working in a similar role on a part-time basis. In all instances, applicants should be able to offer flexibility around their availability.

The post will involve conducting conversation lessons with pupils in small groups, pairs or one-to-one; preparing pupils for their GCSE and A Level oral and aural exams; contributing to the MFL resource library; participating in trips to Spain (where applicable); and day-to-day interaction with members of the Spanish department and the MFL department to support the planning and delivering of MFL lessons and any other language-based activities at the school. This post will initially be to specifically support pupils from Years 7 to 11 (GCSE year) with the delivery of the Spanish curriculum but will develop to support Spanish students in Year 12 (A Level). We would like the post-holder to offer lunchtime clubs for our Pre-Prep and Prep School pupils on the days that they work, including for young bilingual Spanish speakers.  

The successful candidate must be a team-player and demonstrate an enthusiasm towards developing our students’ spoken, reading, listening and writing abilities in Spanish, as well as their cultural understanding and appreciation of Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries. It is essential that they have a Bachelor's degree, proven excellence in all aspects of the Spanish language, possess good English and have a detailed grammatical knowledge of both Spanish and English. Familiarity with current affairs, events, culture and trends in Spain is essential. Prior experience as a Spanish Language Teaching Assistant in a school environment or extensive experience of working with young people would be advantageous. 

The Modern Foreign Languages Department at Harrodian is thriving and well-resourced. It is centered around a friendly staff base, currently comprising fourteen teachers (five for Spanish) and four native-speaker language assistants (two for Spanish), offering teaching in Italian, French and Spanish between them. Pupils learn French in the Junior school and choose either Italian or Spanish as an additional language in Year 7. Our results are very strong, with virtually all students gaining 9-5 grades in one or two MFL GCSEs. All three languages are taught to A level and Spanish is an extremely popular choice of language. Teaching is lively and innovative and we run a range of subject-related enrichment activities, including lunchtime clubs and local and overseas trips and exchanges. 

Founded in 1993, Harrodian is co-educational and set in 25 acres of grounds with excellent facilities. Harrodian offers teachers and students alike a friendly, welcoming and exceptional school environment where classes are small and standards and expectations are high. We place a strong emphasis on the ability to convey enthusiasm and enjoyment of the subject to students across the ability range. A sense of fun, a readiness to respond to students’ individual needs and an open approach to teaching are qualities that we value highly. 

For further information about the role and application details, please visit our website via the Apply button.

Closing date: Monday, 3rd June 2024 at 9am.

Please note: We intend to appoint as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed as they arrive and interviews may be held ahead of the closing date. The School reserves the right to appoint at any stage of the application process.

Applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK. Harrodian is unable to act as a sponsor for an employment visa.

Safeguarding and employment checks: Harrodian is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Offers of employment are subject to receipt of satisfactory references, an Enhanced DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service, checks with any applicable Overseas Criminal Records body, medical clearance and proof of legal right to work in the UK. In accordance with current Keeping Children Safe in Education recommendations, online searches may be done as part of due diligence checks. Please read our Safer Recruiting Policy and Safeguarding Children and Child Protection Policy by selecting from our list of policies HERE.

All positions within the School are exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.  The Enhanced DBS check will give details of all spent and unspent convictions and other recordable matters. A policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders is available from HR. References will be taken up and the School may approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifications.