Head of French (part-time)

January 2024 start or sooner

We have an excellent opportunity for a passionate and inspirational teacher to lead French in Ashford School’s thriving Faculty of Modern Languages. 

As a well-qualified and committed classroom practitioner, you will be expected to contribute to the teaching and development of French, as well as promote the enjoyment of language learning from Year 7 to Year 13.

The Faculty has developed a particularly collaborative and supportive atmosphere where resources are shared, yet teachers are encouraged to be creative and adaptive with their materials and methods, and teaching autonomy is respected.

The postholder will be expected to build on the Faculty’s successful approach to language learning. Lessons take place in a dedicated Faculty building where there is a Language Lab for use by both Language Assistants and Teachers. Lessons are dynamic and lively, and the postholder would be expected to show confidence in teaching the four principal skills required in a language classroom: listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Heads of Department at Ashford School are responsible for completing an annual Department Review in the subject and also attend an annual Mock Review meeting. The postholder will also guide the language assistant and maintain the resources in the department, and will show a strong understanding of the importance of data tracking. Furthermore, the successful candidate will show an interest in the School’s Strategic Priorities and a commitment to the importance of academic rigour.

In Year 7, all students are exposed to three languages (French, German and Spanish) in a carousel. By the end of the third half term, the students select their two preferred languages which they continue to learn for the rest of Key Stage 3. The AQA specifications are taught at both GCSE and A Level.

Responding to the needs of the individual student – be it preparing for examinations in booster classes or guiding the most able through the Oxbridge process – is at the heart of the Faculty’s ethos. The candidate for this position will be able to articulate what academic rigour looks like within their subjects.

The Languages Faculty organises visits to the University of Kent, trips to Europe (France, Germany and Spain), plays in London and in other schools in the target language. The successful applicant should also be willing to contribute more broadly to the co-curricular programme of the School.

Teachers at Ashford School enjoy a welcoming, comfortable and well-resourced environment and are provided with assistance from a range of support staff. Continuing professional development opportunities are offered to staff during the academic year.

Single person accommodation may be available in return for boarding duties. All teaching staff and pupils in Years 7-11 have their own device.

The part-time allocation for this role should be approximately 0.66 of a timetable.

The ability to teach a second language would be preferred but is not a requirement.

Note - We reserve the right to interview and offer to a strong candidate prior to the closing date. It is strongly recommended that candidates submit their applications as soon as possible.