Faculty Leader of English and Media

Located in the beautiful town of Tervuren, near the university city of Leuven, BSB is a not for profit, inclusive fee-paying international school with 1,350 students from approximately 70 countries. There is an Early Childhood Centre for children aged 1-3. Our Primary School offers a bespoke curriculum with integrated learning themes that are inquiry based and skills driven. Whilst British-based, it is uniquely adapted to the needs of our international and multicultural student body. Students in Year 10 & 11 study for (I)GCSE and BTEC courses. Post-16 students can choose from three internationally recognised pre-university examination courses: English A Levels, International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma or BTEC. BSB has outstanding facilities and is the only international school in Belgium to have its own 25m indoor swimming pool. With an excellent record of academic achievement, BSB students go on to attend a wide range of top universities across the globe.

We are now seeking applications from suitably qualified teachers who can bring a real enthusiasm to the school. We are not just looking for talented teachers; we are seeking to appoint teachers who can make a wide contribution to the life of the school. Applicants must have the qualities to successfully lead and manage a faculty in an 11-18 school. This post also requires the successful candidate to line-manage Media Studies which is, in turn, under the leadership and management of the Media Studies Co-ordinator. The post has come about because the present incumbent is relocating to the UK for a promoted role.

The successful candidate will be able to teach English to examination level at A Level and/or in the IB Diploma and at (I)GCSE. He/she will be also willing and able to teach classes in the 11-14 age range. Experience of international education at Secondary level would also be welcome.

The English and Media Faculty
The English and Media faculty is a dynamic and enthusiastic team and staff have a wide range of specialist interests and areas of expertise. English and Media are taught with passion and take-up of both subjects at Senior Section is healthy.

English is taught in the Secondary School from Years 7 to 13, i.e., ages 11 to 18. The Department liaises closely with the BSB Primary School with the objective of achieving curriculum continuity from the age of 4 to 16.  Indeed, with the two schools on one site, there are excellent opportunities for such developments.

The English Department achieves excellent results in external examinations.  At IGCSE level almost all candidates are presently entered for both English Language and Literature. We run a parallel course for a small number of students with English as a Second Language, and these students sit the IGCSE English Language qualification only in Year 11, although teaching includes covering a range of literary texts. 

English is also offered Post-16 in both the IB and A level programmes with excellent results achieved by our students in both courses. 

We work closely with the EAL and AEN department to ensure provision for students with English as an additional language, or additional educational needs, is appropriate. Students only move from EAL classes to English classes once their level of English reaches a suitable level.

Your Profile
The successful candidate will ideally have previous experience teaching in the British system – either in the UK or internationally - across the Secondary School age range with experience teaching Years 7 – 13 (ages 11-18).
As a Faculty Leader you would be part of a strategic group in the Secondary School with a real influence on the shape and direction of our developments.

The successful applicant will

• value strong relationships with students, colleagues and parents to create a climate for the highest standards of learning
• set the highest standards in terms of learning and teaching, getting the very best from students from all backgrounds and of all abilities;
• work closely with department colleagues in creating a sense of cohesion and collaborative spirit within the department and co-operate with colleagues in other departments and the Primary School;
• line manage the Head of Libraries and Learning Resources;
• lead the effective and creative use of technology for learning in the faculty;
• keep fully abreast of current developments in the teaching of English
• be appreciative of students’ differing cultural and linguistic backgrounds;
• be willing and able to contribute wholeheartedly to the personal and social development of students and to the extra-curricular life of the school;

in particular

• oversee the production of the annual school magazine Tapestry in partnership with the Marketing & Communications team and
• be a member of the whole school organising group for BSB’s biennial Book Week
• be actively involved in professional learning within the department, and across departments where opportunities arise, including after-school meetings, relevant courses and professional learning days; 
• demonstrate the highest standards in terms of learning and teaching, being able to utilise Assessment for Learning and e-learning approaches; 
• be willing to take an active part in school trips, both residential and day visits;

The Person

• Commitment to the BSB Guiding Statements
• Committed to achieving the best at all times for BSB students
• Belief that in learning and in life more is achieved together than alone
• Open mindedness and welcoming of otherness
• Committed to the safety and wellbeing of BSB students.

In return, we offer

• A full-time, permanent contract
• Enthusiastic, happy and confident children who are proud of their school and love learning
• Outstanding facilities and resources
• Excellent professional learning opportunities 
• An attractive salary - BSB Learning & Teaching scale – Band 9 representing a minimum of € 63.192 and maximum € 114.694 gross per year, depending on the years of relevant experience, and extra-legal benefits including hospitalisation insurance, extra pension payments, luncheon vouchers, free use of the BSB sport facilities and a relocation package.

Application process
The deadline for applications is Wednesday, 4 March 2020 at 16.00 (CET). Please note that only applications sent in using the application form on the BSB website will be considered. No other submissions will be accepted.

Long listed candidates will be contacted by Skype later in March.
Short listed candidates will be invited to interview at the school in March and this process will include a sample lesson and opportunities to meet potential colleagues.

We look forward to receiving your application. If you have not heard anything further from us by mid-March, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

To apply, follow the instructions on https://www.britishschool.be/jobopportunities/

“The British School of Brussels is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.” (with reference to the most recent KCSIE)