Teacher of English

Application deadline:  9.00am Monday 5th March

Interviews: Week beginning 12th March

THE SCHOOL

Balshaw's enjoys the privilege of being one of the most successful schools in the county and the most over-subscribed school in South Ribble with 930 students on roll.  We believe that this is deservedly so.

As a school rooted firmly in the Christian ethos, each student in our care matters deeply to us. However, as an authority controlled school we do not operate any entry criteria and the school is available to students of all abilities, interests and aptitudes. Nevertheless, in following the school motto: (non sibi sed aliis) ‘not for self, but for others’ we aim to create students whose actions reflect the love of Christ as we develop them into full and well-rounded young adults ready to make valuable contributions to our society.

Balshaw’s has a proud 234 year history of academic excellence for students. Many will go on to study at Runshaw College which was originally the Sixth Form of Balshaw’s or other post-16 providers such as Cardinal Newman and others will take up apprenticeships or employment.

As important to us as excellent results is the richness of opportunity available to students at Balshaw’s. Set in 21 acres of beautiful land, Balshaw’s staff provide extra-curricular opportunities that other schools could only hope for. The huge range of clubs and activities have taken many of our students on to careers in sport and media with a number of well-known alumni.

Those who come to teach at Balshaw’s will have fantastic opportunity to progress their careers and gain a wealth of experience. That said, Balshaw’s also enjoys an incredibly stable workforce and when you hear the phrase ‘Once a Balshavian, always a Balshavian’ you will realise it to be a truth. The school is only on its 14th headteacher in its 234 year history!

Balshaw’s is more than a school – it is a family. This post offers you the opportunity to become part of the Balshaw’s family where you will be able to make a difference to the lives of the young people who are our future.

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

The English Department consists of a team of committed specialist teachers who are supported by a team of experienced and highly effective teaching Assistants.

The department follows the National Strategy Framework for Teaching at Key Stage 3 and follows the WJEC syllabus for English Language and Literature for KS4. The department also offers Media Studies at Key Stage 4 and has close links with the Drama department whose teaching in Years 8 and 9 is integrated within English.

Considerable effort has been put into the development of materials and Schemes of Work and all staff are encouraged to contribute new ideas.  The requirements of the framework for teaching English have been built into the Programme of Study for Years 7, 8 & 9. 

Assessment on a regular basis is well-established, with pupils building up portfolios of work across Key Stage 3. We have developed our framework for assessment without levels and create and standardise new criteria on a regular basis. Pupils are given the opportunity to develop their Speaking and Listening skills by means of a wide range of activities.

Assessment is an integral part of the teaching and learning process and a programme of common assignments is in place and cross-marking and standardisation procedures are well established.

The department aim to meet and exceed the target grades of students. 70.8% of students gained grades 9–4 in English Language in 2017 and a Progress 8 score of -0.04 was achieved (this figure was +0.11 in 2016 before the new specification and grading system). The department regularly trains ITTs.

The successful applicant will join a team of professional and highly motivated teachers accustomed to achieving excellent results and provision of a wide range of extra-curricular activities.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Staff at Balshaw's have an hour per week dedicated to Professional Development on a Monday evening.  Balshaw's is also part of a number of local Teaching Alliance networks and staff both deliver and receive training within the network.

Staff are provided with laptop computers, have a dedicated staff-room and kitchen as well as a separate silent staff working room.  Staff are able to benefit from the use of a fully equipped fitness suite.

Latest Ofsted Report

• This is an outstanding school
• Students make outstanding progress from their starting points.
• Students say how safe they feel and are particularly appreciative of the exceptionally personal support which the school gives them.
• Students feel very safe and talk freely about the sense of community the school engenders.
• Much of the teaching is outstanding and across the school it is consistently good.
• Students, parents and staff are fulsome in their praise of the school.