Teacher of English (Maternity Cover - part-time)

The Role

An opportunity has arisen to teach in our thriving English Department. 

We require Maternity Cover teaching KS3 English and Year 10 Literature & Language from 13th April 2020 to Easter 2021. The role will be 0.50fte with 2 full days off a week, then increase to 0.80fte in September 2020. 

If you are an outstanding teacher with vision and dynamism, join us teaching bright, motivated girls in a beautiful part of the country.  Results place us in the top 20 girls’ schools nationally; we were the Sunday Times South West State School of the Year 2019; and we are Ofsted Outstanding. 

What We’re Looking For

• Enthusiasm, a positive outlook and a sense of perspective 
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively 
• A willingness to try new approaches or ideas 
• A positive attitude to professional development and own learning 
• Reliability, integrity and excellent personal organization 
• A willingness to accompany students on trips to competitions and useful experiences
• Subject knowledge sufficient to challenge the most able students up to A Level and beyond

Further information is given in the Person Specification and Job Description.

TGGS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 

Our English Department

The English Department at Torquay Girls’ Grammar School is a dynamic and collaborative team.  We enjoy working together to design and deliver an exciting curriculum that engages our students and promotes enjoyment of the subject. Learning in English is active and lively.  We encourage students to be independent in their thinking and to communicate their ideas confidently, asking questions, challenging ideas and using technology for both research and presentation purposes. 

Our aim is to enthuse students through our own passion for English, nurturing both their critical and creative skills.  Across all key stages, we provide opportunities that enhance our students’ experience of English; these include creative writing clubs, book groups and outreach work with local primary schools:  for example, the Writing Fiction for Young Children initiative.  Additionally, we run several theatre trips annually so that students can see their set texts ‘come alive’ on the stage.

Currently, all Key Stage 3 classes are taught in mixed-ability groups of approximately 30 students.  At Key Stage 4, classes are also mixed-ability and we follow the Edexcel specification for both English Language and English Literature GCSE.  At A Level, we have 2 groups in Years 12 and 13, each of which typically contains 15 students, and we follow the AQA English Literature A specification.  The successful applicant will be expected to teach across a variety of year groups in KS3 and KS4 and will be provided with schemes of work/departmental resources for all aspects of teaching.  Classrooms are equipped with a projector and an interactive whiteboard.

For further information, or to arrange an informal discussion of the role, please email Mrs Jo Preston, Head of English (jpreston@tggsacademy.org).

Why Work With Us? 

There is a range of social activities for staff, with end-of-term socials at a variety of local venues and a regular Friday Club where staff meet for coffee, tea and biscuits. Staff meet for annual celebrations such as Christmas mulled wine, our carol service, concerts, plays and productions; there are end-of-term staff lunches. 

There is a strong House Culture and all new members of staff are assigned to one of our five Houses. You will then have the opportunity to take part in the wide variety of house activities including staff vs students sports, fundraising activities, Sponsored Walk and the House Shout. 

The new Sports Hall provides a fitness suite, with £50,000 of machines, and is free for staff use. During the summer holidays, staff teams have completed the 3 Peaks Challenge and the Perambulation of Dartmoor. We have a trekking club and a newly formed Veg club.

Working At TGGS 

There is a buzz and vibrancy about our school. Our partnerships are enriching our experience: one example is membership of SWAT, a Trust with 11 other top performing grammar schools, which delivers huge benefits to both staff and students.  As an Academy we have more control over our affairs and destiny. It is a supportive and happy place to work.  

Torquay’s position makes it convenient for the outstanding natural beauty of both Dartmoor and the South Devon coast. The beaches of the county are some of the best of the country and you can get away from the stresses of life by walking on the rugged moors. The beautiful cathedral city of Exeter is on your doorstep, as is the City of Plymouth with its rich maritime history; both of these have excellent new shopping centres. There is a unanimous feeling among staff that the area is a wonderful place to bring up children.

How Well Are We Doing?

We are one of the top performing state schools nationally and, for the past 3 years, we have received a written letter of congratulations from the Minister for Schools for our high Progress scores.

We were the Sunday Times South West State School of the year 2019.

We were inspected by Ofsted in September 2011 and they judged us to be outstanding in all 22 key judgements and hence Outstanding overall. They wrote in the report that “Staff morale is very high”; the recent staff well-being and workload survey confirms this.

95%+ of pupils go on to top universities with some 10+ applying to Oxford or Cambridge each year.  The School is extremely fortunate in attracting and retaining staff of the highest quality.

We have a major focus on our 10 Habits to help live a big, long happy and healthy life for both staff and students; this has drawn interest in the national press (TES) and at the ministerial level. Our political efforts to give students a voice in Climate change have had influence nationally and internationally.

Application Process

To apply please click ‘Quick Apply’ and, once fully completed, please submit your application.

Further information about the school can be obtained from the TGGS Website www.tggsacademy.org. 

Telephone: 01803 613215/616504 

Email:  personnel@tggsacademy.org

Closing Date: Noon 24th February 2020

Interview Date: w/c 2nd March