Head of English
Brighton College
Brighton and Hove
- Expired
- Salary:
- Competitive
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- September 2022
- Apply by:
- 24 January 2022
Job overview
The Department:
The department currently consists of eight full-time and four part-time members of staff. The subject is taught throughout Years 7 to 11 in mixed-ability classes which generally range in size between 20 and 25. There are currently 78 pupils taking the subject at A-Level. At present we follow the OCR (9-1) syllabi for GCSE English Literature and English Language and the OCR syllabus for A-Level English Literature. Results in recent years have been excellent, including 99% and 98% 9-7 at GCSE in English Language and English Literature respectively, with 86% and 81% for grades 9/8. At A-level , 100% have achieved A*-B. The department also has a comprehensive Oxbridge programme, with much recent success: 70% of applicants have been awarded offers in the last three years. Results aside, we pride ourselves on the diversity of our teaching: last year, over sixty different texts were taught to pupils in Years 7 to 13. The English Department is currently housed in a purpose-built suite of six classrooms, each equipped with interactive touch screens and full audio equipment. However, in 2024 the department will move to the College’s new performing arts complex which is currently under construction, and will offer significant opportunities to collaborate with the Drama department. The department offers an extensive programme of activities not related to specifications, including creative writing, journalism and debating clubs, extension sessions and Literary Society. We work closely with the College Library to run reading groups and arrange author visits for all age groups.
Role Specification:
The successful candidate will be responsible for leading and managing the English department, and taking responsibility for the teaching, progress and attainment of all pupils from Year 7 to Year 13. They will be an outstanding classroom practitioner, able to lead by example. They will devise and oversee the department’s extension programme, and will – in all likelihood – contribute to it themselves. This will include supporting pupils with applications to leading universities including Oxford and Cambridge. All teachers at Brighton College are expected to contribute to the school’s pastoral system, generally as a tutor in one of our 13 houses (of which five are boarding houses and eight are day). There is also an expectation that all teachers will contribute to the cocurricular life of the school, through the extensive Games programme, and/or through the leadership of one of almost 100 school societies. Candidates are encouraged to point to interests and enthusiasms as part of their application. All teachers joining Brighton will have the benefit of guidance by an experienced mentor, whose role it will be to provide support during their probationary period; in the case of this role this is likely to be the Deputy Head (Academic) with whom the successful candidate will work closely. Thereafter, all teachers are expected and supported to participate in continuous professional development, throughout their time at the College.
Safeguarding responsibilities:
- This role will involve daily contact with pupils and you will be engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.
- All staff and volunteers have a responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for who you are responsible and with whom you come into contact.
Attached documents
About Brighton College
THE SCHOOL
Brighton College is an inspiring place to work. As the leading co-educational school in the UK it is renowned for its inspirational teaching and innovative education, whilst placing kindness and community at the heart of our approach to education. Named ‘UK School of the Decade’ by The Sunday Times in November 2020, we educate 1,200 pupils between ages 11 and 18.
Established in 1845, the College has grown exponentially in recent years. The Head Master, Richard Cairns, a recent Tatler UK Head of the Year, has been in post since 2006 and under his leadership pupil numbers have doubled. Since 2006, the College moved from 147th in The Sunday Times results table, to 3rd – the best position ever achieved by a co-ed school. The school site in Kemptown has seen the addition of stunning new facilities, sustainably designed by leading international architects, with recent investment well in excess of £100 million. These include the Music School and Sarah Abraham Recital Hall (2015), the Yeoh Building teaching complex (2017), the School of Science and Sport (2020) and the Richard Cairns Building, a stunning new performing arts complex, including a 400-seat theatre (2024). World-class facilities enable us to share a huge variety of opportunities with pupils and allow for innovative and exciting approaches to teaching and learning.
We believe that we are a part of society, not apart from it, and so activism and community involvement are key parts of the curriculum. We have a thriving volunteer programme, driven by pupils, and are proud of our progressive stand on diversity, equality and inclusion. Brighton College also has a family of schools, which includes our three Sussex prep schools – Brighton College Nursery, Pre-Prep & Prep; Handcross Park; and St Christopher’s. Overseas, we have opened schools in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Bangkok, and Singapore.
Our approach to education is regularly celebrated. We’ve been named ‘School of the Year’ twice by The Sunday Times (most recently in 2019); The Week named us ‘Most forward-thinking school in Britain’ for two years running in 2017 and 2018, and ‘Best in the UK for STEM’ in 2020. Our most recent ISI inspection in November 2021 gave us the highest possible grade (‘Excellent’) in both categories; the quality of pupils’ academic and other achievements, and the quality of pupils’ personal development.
Most importantly, Brighton is a happy school. Staff and pupils feel fulfilled, and our emphasis on kindness lends itself to a thriving intellectual, sporting and performing arts culture. Our location in the city gives us the best of all worlds: we’re 5 minutes from the sea and the city centre, 10 minutes from the South Downs, and in the heart of the local Kemptown community. We hope that you will want to come and join the fantastic group of professionals who work here.
LIVING AND WORKING IN BRIGHTON
The College enjoys its location in Brighton, one of Britain’s youngest cities and one of the most vibrant and progressive in Europe. A recent national survey identified Brighton as the ‘happiest city in the UK’ and it regularly features within the top cities for quality of life nationally. With an extensive beach and seafront, and proximity to beautiful rural areas including the South Downs National Park, the opportunities for recreation and leisure are varied and numerous. Transport links are also excellent, Brighton being within easy travelling distance of London (50 minutes by train), and 30 minutes from Gatwick Airport. Brighton is also a university city, and the College has good links with both the University of Sussex and Brighton University. Our annual involvement in the Pride parade has strengthened existing links with the local community.
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