Teacher of English (Maternity Cover)

Teacher of English (Maternity cover) Full or part time (0.8)

September 2023 

Can you inspire our students with a love of English? Our dynamic and expanding teaching team needs an English specialist able to teach all aspects of the curriculum from Year 7 through to A Level. 

Royal Russell is an HMC/IAPS co-educational school with over 1000 pupils between the ages of 3 and 18, situated on a beautiful green campus of 110 acres in the Shirley Hills near Croydon on the doorstep of London. We have over 150 boarding students in the Senior School, and are proud of our day and boarding facilities that rank amongst the best in the South of England. Our pupils, parents and staff experience a warm and friendly environment with strong pastoral care for every pupil alongside a comprehensive co-curricular and enrichment programme. Our latest ISI Inspection was carried out in September 2022 and we are delighted to report that Royal Russell achieved the top grade of excellent in every aspect.  English was particularly picked out in the report for both active learning in Year 9 poetry and positive behaviour in KS4.

English lies at the heart of the school’s curriculum and the department has a superb record of excellent result at Edexcel IGCSE and AQA English Literature A Level syllabus. In 2022 A Level results were 46% A+ and 100% C+ and at GCSE English Language 56% 7+; 98% 4+ and for English Literature 52% 7+; 97% 4+ . The department consists of a team of 10 teaching staff who teach across the age ranges from Year 7 to Year 13.

Outside of the classroom, English enjoys a high profile through regular enrichment events and a variety of trips to the theatre for all year groups. We recently had a visiting group perform Macbeth to all of year 10; we had a variety of authors or story tellers perform to Years 6 (working with our Junior School) to 10, and Year 11 were treated to an active poetry workshop from an outside company. We are a friendly, warm and nurturing department and we are committed to doing the very best for our students. All teachers are supported by a Head of Department and two outstanding Second in Department who lead at Key Stages 3 and 4- although it is fair to say all the department support each other. There are detailed and clear schemes of work (and accompanying resources) in place for all year groups, although staff are encouraged to be creative and develop their own ideas, which are then shared across the department.

You will be a well-qualified and inspiring graduate teacher with excellent subject knowledge, who can deliver English from Year 7 to A Level. You should be committed to, and have experience of, using a range of teaching styles and methods, including the use of the Microsoft Office suite and be able to offer an enthusiasm for the subject and excellent pupil results at all levels. If you are ambitious to take on the opportunity of enhancing your skills in your next appointment by contributing to our co-curricular programme and by supporting the pastoral life of our school, you may be the right candidate for us. This post is suitable for newly qualified teachers who will join the School’s Early Career Teachers Induction programme.

Royal Russell offers excellent benefits including a competitive salary on our own salary scale which is above SNS and rewards staff in line with their qualifications and experience, and the opportunity to take on additional pastoral and academic responsibilities for which an additional allowance is paid. As part of the vibrant community of the historic Royal Russell School, you will work with a fantastic team of dedicated, supportive and friendly staff in our beautiful green parkland estate with easy access to transport links (Coombe Lane tram stop served by the New Addington tram is opposite the School entrance). Teachers automatically join the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS), or you may opt into an alternative defined contribution pension with free life cover on a promoted salary scale. In addition you will have access to free car parking, free meals, a discount of up to 50% on School fees, (85% discount for wrap around care before and after school during term-time and 25% discount with the Royal Russell Holiday Club which operates during School holiday periods), and the use of our sporting and gym facilities (on-site tennis courts, swimming pool and gym), free of charge. Full details of our staff benefits and recruitment procedures can be found on our School recruitment page at: https://www.royalrussell.co.uk/discover/vacancies You can also contact us by email at hr@royalrussell.co.uk or telephone HR on 020-8657-4433.   

Applications will be considered on receipt and should arrive no later than 9am on Wednesday 22 February 2023. Interviews will be held at the school the following week. If you have not heard from us by Friday 3 March 2023 you should presume that you have not been successful on this occasion.  

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (including a check against the Children’s Barred List) and other pre-employment screening including a check on the Secretary of State list of prohibited staff.