English Teacher

We seek an outstanding teacher to contribute to this dynamic subject area. The post would suit either a NQT or more experienced English Teacher.  An interest in teaching at Key Stage 5 is desirable.  The opportunity exists to teach to A Level, particularly on the English Language and Literature Course.

This is an opportunity to join a supportive, collaborative and responsive department which consistently promotes high expectations for the progress of all our students. 

The Faculty is led by a Director of Learning and is composed of twelve members of teaching staff.  The English Faculty Area is mainly situated in a suite of rooms in the front of the main school building.  All classrooms are equipped with data projectors and every teacher is provided with a laptop connected to the School Network and the Internet.  The Learning Resource Centre is situated on the English corridor, managed by a full time Librarian and consisting of a lending library of some 10,000 books, computers and other resources for students and staff to use.  

At Key Stage 3, all students have eight lessons of English per two-week cycle.  The curriculum is designed to cultivate skills and knowledge for GCSE studies. Literature and Language are co-taught across years 7-9, with clear links to the GCSE Assessment Objectives. Within a framework of assessed units, teachers are encouraged to develop their own approaches and utilise their personal subject interests to deliver challenging and stimulating lessons alongside the core priorities. The department takes a formal approach to end of unit assessments, implementing GCSE-style expectations from the beginning.  

At Key Stage 4, students study the AQA specifications for English and English Literature for seven/eight lessons per cycle.  The current year 10 students study the following texts for English Literature: ‘A Christmas Carol’, ‘An Inspector Calls’, ‘Romeo & Juliet’ and the ‘Power and Conflict’ section of the Poetry Anthology. From September 2018, as with KS3, there will be more opportunity for teachers to tailor the choice of Literature texts to best support their class, and exploit teacher knowledge and expertise. Students complete regular end of unit exam-style assessments, to monitor progress and provide tailored support throughout their GCSE studies. 

At Key Stage 5, courses offered currently include AQA English Literature (spec A), AQA  English Language and Literature, Eduqas Media and Eduqas Film Studies. The texts we currently study for English Literature are: ‘Taming of the Shrew’, Pre-1900 Poetry Anthology, ‘Great Gatsby’, and ‘WW1 and its aftermath’, which includes ‘Regeneration’, ‘My Boy Jack’ and ‘Up The Line To Death: A Collection of Poetry’.  Texts currently studied in English Literature and Language are: ‘Poetry Anthology (Browning)’, ‘The Lovely Bones’, ‘Othello’ and ‘The Great Gatsby’.  

The English Curriculum Area is enriched by a range of additional activities.  In the past year these have included: • Weekly ‘booster’ classes for students in Key Stage 4 in the weeks running up to the public examinations. • ‘Bookies’ Book Club – a student reading group that meets once a cycle. • Theatre, poetry and debating trips. • The Sixth Form Debating Society, which holds regular debates in school. • Two creative writing clubs: one by invitation only. • Sixth form study days.  

In the recent Ofsted inspection, the English Department received a very positive report, described as being “taught well”, and as “having an impact on literacy across the school.”

Highcliffe School is situated minutes from Highcliffe and Avon beaches, Mudeford Quay and Christchurch Harbour.  A few minutes’ drive or cycle away are the beaches of Bournemouth while Poole Harbour, a mecca for watersports, is approximately 12 miles away.  As a result, sailing, kitesurfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, surfing and beach life are prominent parts of life in the area.    Highcliffe is also on the doorstep of the New Forest, meaning that equestrian sports, cycling, walking and running are also prominent features of local life.  There is an extensive range of top-class pubs, cafes, clubs, theatres and cinemas throughout the area catering for people of all ages and tastes.    Highcliffe School is easily accessible from the urban centre of Bournemouth and Poole.  With its large student population Bournemouth uniquely offers a multicultural city buzz combined with the relaxed South Coast surfing and holiday culture.  London, the South East and the South West are easily reached by road or rail links.