Head of English - key stages 3 and 4
d'Overbroeck's
Oxfordshire
- Expired
- Salary:
- d’Overbroeck’s has its own salary scale
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- d’Overbroeck’s has its own salary scale (comparable to, or above the national scale)
- Apply by:
- 10 February 2021
Job overview
The English department
English is a large and dynamic department, both in years 7-11 and the Sixth Form. While there is considerable collaboration between the two sections of the school, there are separate heads of English in Years 7-11 and the Sixth Form. The advertised post is for a Head of English in years 7-11.
As well as English being a central part of the core curriculum at key stage 3, all students take GCSEs (AQA) in both English Language and Literature at key stage 4. Academic results are strong, with the vast majority of students gaining grades 7-9 at GCSE. As well as seeking excellent exam results, we also aim to foster a love of language and literature at all levels and to encourage students to pursue their own interests, whether in independent reading, or creative writing.
Teachers are encouraged to take full advantage of the benefits of having small classes (maximum 15) and teaching is based on bespoke individual progress as well as strong class cohesion. Relations between students and teachers are excellent. We are keen to be innovative in our practice, and use digital resources (such as wordwall, padlet and OneNote), as well as methodologies from Philosophy for Children, to create engaging, student-centred lessons. We regularly undertake departmental self-evaluation and work scrutiny, and a number of staff have worked as GCSE examiners.
Beyond the classroom, the department works together as a team to deliver a variety of clubs and activities, including annual events like a whole school poetry competition and public speaking contest. We also run clubs in creative writing, Carnegie shadowing and debating, as well as theatre trips to the Oxford playhouse and to the RSC in Stratford. We have also done a number of cross-curricular projects with the Art department at KS3, including creating a ‘Leckford Bestiary’, modelled on J K Rowling’s ‘Fantastic Beasts’.
In the Sixth Form, approximately 50 students are studying for English Literature A Level. Here too, results are strong, with 60% gaining A*-A in 2019.
The Role
The post has become available due to the internal promotion of the current Head of English in years 7-11. The Head of English role involves management of all English teaching across key stage 3 and 4 and the leadership of a department currently of five other teachers.
Teaching
You will be expected to teach approximately 75% of a full timetable. The bulk of teaching will be across years 7-11, with the possibility for some A Level teaching at our sixth form site.
Attached documents
About d'Overbroeck's
THE SCHOOL
d’Overbroeck’s is a co-educational independent day and boarding school in Oxford for students aged 11 – 18. The school roll currently stands at around 750, and this is set to grow in the coming years.
Founded in 1977, initially as a Sixth Form, d’Overbroeck’s has maintained its founding values throughout its growth.
We believe in outstanding teaching and laughter. We celebrate the individual and foster a culture that promotes collaboration and originality. We pride ourselves on our unique blend of social informality and academic rigour.
d’Overbroeck’s consists of three sections:
Years 7-11 – 200 students; currently all day students although open to boarders from next year. Based at Leckford Place, OX2 6HX.
Sixth Form – 440 students; a mixture of day and boarding. Domestic and international. Based at a purpose-built site at 333 Banbury Road.
The International School – around 125 international students who are all boarders, across years 9-11.
All in all, this is a busy and happy educational environment in which staff and students enjoy positive relationships based on mutual respect and a shared sense of purpose. As our most recent ISI inspection report puts it:
‘A defining characteristic of d’Overbroeck’s is its close-knit, informal atmosphere within which students grow in confidence, self-esteem, respect for themselves and for others. Students are very supportive of each other and behaviour throughout is excellent, exemplified in considerate, warm relationships.
In its key findings, our most recent inspection report (2021) found that our students are highly motivated with extremely positive attitudes to learning. They were described as successful collaborative learners who are naturally inclusive. They were said to have a remarkably strong sense of self understanding and excellent awareness of how to improve and achieve their goals.
ISI inspection report. October 2021
For more information about the College please visit our website at http://www.doverbroecks.com/
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