Head of English/English Teacher

The Role

Communication and literacy are key life skills. Through the English curriculum, we help children to develop the knowledge and confidence that will enable them to communicate effectively and creatively with a diverse range of people.

This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic, well-qualified and inspirational teacher to lead this highly successful Department. We are looking for a well-educated English graduate who will encourage a love of literature and inspire creativity in all our pupils. You will be dedicated to, and have a passion for English. You will take the lead in the teaching of this core subject throughout the school, maintaining the current high standards and, all the while, seeking to build on the myriad successes.

As Head of English, you will have the vision and capacity to ensure that language and literature are alive in our classrooms. Pupils will need to be prepared for Pre-tests (11+), Common Entrance (13+) and Academic Scholarships at 13+ in English. A knowledge of the curriculum would be advantageous.

Beyond the classroom, the school calendar has a plan of all activities over the academic year, including author visits, which the successful candidate will be responsible for organising. As part of the position, you will manage the School Librarian who will help to promote the role of the library at school.

You will teach a range of year groups and will be expected to contribute to the Games programme at the school, as well as Saturday activities. 

We would also welcome applications from experienced English teachers who would like to work in the department but without the responsibility of Head of English.

We can offer:

• Strong, supportive staff team
• Competitive salary
• Royal London Pension Scheme
• Discretionary school fee discount
• Use of the school’s facilities – swimming pool and sports facilities, subsidised staff yoga class
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• On-site parking
• Lunch provided

About the School

Westbourne House is situated just to the east of Chichester in beautiful grounds of over 100 acres. There are approximately 380 boys and girls, aged 2½ -13. Most children go on to major Public Schools across the South.

The school enjoys outstanding facilities. Teaching is extremely well resourced with excellent teaching rooms, the majority equipped with interactive whiteboards; there are also sets of laptops which can be booked for class-based work. There are rooms for Art, Ceramics, ICT, Design Technology and Food Technology, a separate Science block and Music School, as well as a modern, 300-seat theatre/assembly hall. The School also has a large (30 acres) lake on the north boundary for kayaking.

Academic standards are high, with consistently outstanding Common Entrance results together with an excellent scholarship record; last year no fewer than 36 awards and scholarships to senior schools were won across a range of disciplines, totalling 140 over the last five years.

Westbourne House uses the High Performance Learning philosophy to guide all pupils in becoming good learners. The school believes that all pupils have the potential to perform at the highest level regardless of their current performance level. The Advanced Cognitive Performance Characteristics (ACPs) and Values, Attitudes and Attributes (VAAs) of HPL are the “thinking” and “behaviour” characteristic and these are delivered specifically and systematically throughout the curriculum.

The Music and Drama departments also excel consistently: all children are involved in school productions; a large number are members of school choirs and there are regular concerts.

Saturday school consists of sports matches, as well as optional enrichment activities, such as kayaking and coding.

There is a wide variety of sport on offer, and a large number of teams represent the school most Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. As well as extensive playing fields, there is a 25-metre swimming pool, dance studio, sports hall, squash courts and a full-sized astro-turf pitch.

There are around 100 boarders, many of whom board for two or three nights in one of seven houses on the school grounds. The school offers full-time boarding allowing the children to further enjoy the beautiful facilities and grounds the school has to offer.

Please apply by completing the application form on our website via the Apply button. CVs may be attached, but not in place of the application form. Please return completed applications to Robyn Aubrey at hr@westbournehouse.org

Closing date: 11th June 2023

We reserve the right to interview and offer to a strong candidate prior to the closing date. For this reason, early applications are encouraged.

Westbourne House is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with current and past employers, online checks, the Disclosure & Barring Service, overseas checks and the Secretary of State’s Prohibition List from Teaching and Management.