Head of Faculty - Modern Foreign Languages (MFL)

This is an opportunity to apply for the post of  Head of Faculty - MFL in an outstanding Catholic school with a long and proud tradition, which has consistently adapted and developed to meet the needs and ambitions of its pupils and parents.

The school has played an important role in Catholic education in the City of Liverpool since the mid-19th Century. Founded in 1853 as the Catholic Institute by Fr James Nugent, it was taken over by the Congregation of Christian Brothers in 1902 and remains in their trusteeship; although they are no longer involved in the teaching or day-to-day management of the College. In 1920 the school was renamed St Edward’s College and in 1938 moved to our present extensive site in West Derby. In 1947 it became a Direct Grant Grammar school, switching to Independent status under the Assisted Places scheme in 1979. In 1991 the College became fully co-educational after a period of admitting girls to the Sixth Form, and to enable it to serve more fully the City and Archdiocese of Liverpool, it moved into the Maintained sector as a Grant Maintained school in 1997. For the last nine years it has been an Academy. The College has been the Cathedral Choir School of Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral since 1974 and has developed the Cathedral’s first Girls’ Choir which shares liturgical choral duties with the Boys’ Choir. It is the only secondary Catholic cathedral school in England.

The College has an enviable reputation not only in Liverpool but also in the wider education world for its academic achievement, its sporting success in many disciplines and the quality of its music education. Most importantly, it is renowned for the young adults it produces who are aware of their own potential as unique individuals but even more aware of their responsibility to others. This is well illustrated by our alumni who are prominent in so many fields and examples of whom can be found on the College website. Their appreciation is illustrated by their willingness to be involved in many aspects of College life and their support for regular Alumni events.

We are looking for an outstanding candidate who can build on our current success, retain links with our traditions and maintain our position as an outstanding school confident of moving into the future and facing whatever challenges the changing education landscape brings. To achieve this the right candidate will need to demonstrate: Innovation in the face of challenge, particularly in driving improvement in academic standards; Role model leadership, creating an environment of trust, openness and support where all pupils and staff can excel; Excellence in all forms of communication for all internal and external stakeholders presenting a clear and compelling vision for the College.

In return we can offer you a wonderful pupil body who are confident and hardworking; a staff who are experienced and dedicated to the success of St Edward’s College and always ready to “go the extra mile”; a supportive Governing body who bring a wide range of experience to their role; and parents who appreciate the excellence of the education their children are receiving and who are supportive of the College.

We are seeking to appoint an energetic, innovative and hardworking Head of MFL to lead and develop the Faculty and inspire students.

The successful candidate will be:

• An experienced teacher of French and Spanish across the age and ability range, with a track record of high achievement (both raw and value added scores) at GCSE and A Level.

• Well qualified, enthusiastic, innovative and passionate about the study of languages.

• An existing Head of Department or Second in Faculty ready for career progression.

• Willing to develop the particularly valuable extra-curricular side of MFL.

The role will also include a significant whole-school responsibility which should support any future progression to a more senior role.

St Edward’s places great importance on developing and challenging its staff.  There will be significant opportunities for you to demonstrate your ability to lead – we are looking to appoint a Head of Faculty who demonstrates outstanding potential and aspiration, both for the students and him/herself.

On entry to St Edward’s College, all pupils choose to study either French or Spanish with the majority choosing Spanish.  They then continue to study this language throughout Key Stage 3.  From Year 10 onwards, approximately 75% of pupils study a language to GCSE.  A number of pupils also opt to continue French or Spanish at A Level with a number progressing to university study. 

Pupils enjoy studying languages; they are well motivated, enthusiastic and want to do well.  All pupils in Years 7 – 9 follow the National Curriculum in their chosen language.  At Key Stage 4, we teach AQA for GCSE and in the Sixth Form we also follow the AQA specification. 

In Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 pupils are allocated five hours per fortnight.  In the Sixth Form, Year 12 have ten hours per fortnight and Year 13 have nine. 

In Year 10 there are currently three classes for Spanish and two for French and in Year 11 there are four Spanish classes and one French.  Both languages have one teaching group in both Year 12 and Year 13.   

This post represents a great opportunity for an able and determined middle leader to make a positive impact to secure improvement in outcomes particularly at A Level.

The Faculty consists of seven members of staff who are passionate about languages and who work well together. We also have Foreign Language Assistants who work with our Sixth Form classes. 

Details of 'how to apply' can be found in the Recruitment Brochure.

Applications will be  accepted directly to 19 February 2021.

***Please note that early applications are welcomed and we may appoint before the closing date***