Faculty Leader for Modern Foreign Languages

We have an excellent opportunity for a passionate, dedicated and dynamic language specialist to lead Ashford School’s thriving Modern Foreign Languages Faculty.

As Faculty Leader, you will share our belief in the importance of being able to communicate directly with others in their own language, as well as have an appreciation of the culture and heritage of pupils who join Ashford School from all over the world.

With an excellent command of French and Spanish, you will have the imagination and ambition to challenge students to enjoy modern languages, as well as inspire a team of dedicated language specialists. Alongside this, English as an Additional Language is taught by a team of EAL teachers in the School, and therefore line management of the Head of EAL is another key aspect of the Faculty Leader’s role.

In Year 7, all students are introduced to three languages (French, German and Spanish) in a carousel. By the end of the third half term, the students select their two preferred languages which they continue to learn for the rest of Key Stage 3. The AQA specifications are taught at GCSE and for A Level French and German; the Edexcel course is taught for A Level Spanish.

Reporting to the Deputy Head (Academic), the Faculty Leader will be required to liaise with the Exams Office about arrangements for all internal exams, as well as external exam entries in MFL. Organisation of entries for subjects such as Russian and Chinese will also be required.

The Faculty Leader line manages the Heads of French, Spanish and German at the Senior School.

In addition to encouraging the value of language learning, the faculty is committed to exploring aspects of life in the countries of origin. Therefore, the Modern Languages Faculty contributes to the broader co-curricular life of the school with visits to Lille, Berlin, the Rhineland, the South of Spain, the University of Kent, local productions and plays in London.

To further raise the profile of languages in the School, the Faculty Leader will be enthusiastic about promoting language competitions and the annual House MFL event, as well as build links with the Prep School to drive a ‘One School’ languages philosophy.

The Faculty Leader must be able to articulate what academic rigour looks like within language teaching and learning, and show a strong understanding of the importance of data tracking. Furthermore, the successful candidate will show an interest in the School’s Strategic Priorities and Curriculum Philosophy.

Responding to the needs of the individual student – be it preparing for examinations in after-school classes or guiding the most able through the Oxbridge process – is at the heart of the Faculty’s ethos.

Language lessons take place in a dedicated Faculty building where there is a Language Lab for use by both Language Assistants and Teachers. Language teachers benefit from working in a department that offers well-resourced, dedicated classrooms, stocked with a wide range of equipment.

The successful candidate should be familiar with computer technology as a tool for learning, teaching and administration, and be prepared to lead the faculty to develop their skills further. All teaching rooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards; all students in KS3 and KS4 have access to a Surface Go in their lessons with which to access a variety of learning platforms.

Teachers at Ashford enjoy a welcoming, comfortable and well-resourced environment and are provided with assistance from a range of support staff. All teachers are expected to contribute to the co-curricular life of the School and are also Form Tutors. 

Salary by negotiation and dependent on skills, attributes and qualifications of the successful candidate.

Note - We reserve the right to interview and offer to a strong candidate prior to the closing date. It is strongly recommended that candidates submit their applications as soon as possible.

Ashford School is part of United Learning, a large and growing group of schools aiming to offer a life-changing education across England. As a group, we achieve more by sharing than any single school could.

Ashford School is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS check is required for all successful applicants.

To Apply

Please apply online by clicking on the following link: https://unitedlearning.current-vacancies.com/Jobs/Advert/2110593?cid=1567

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United Learning comprises: UCST (Registered in England No: 2780748. Charity No. 1016538) and ULT (Registered in England No. 4439859. An Exempt Charity). Companies limited by guarantee. VAT number 834 8515 12. Registered address: United Learning, Worldwide House, Thorpe Wood, Peterborough, PE3 6SB.