Job Title: / Teacher of MFL
Grade: / MPS/UPS as appropriate.
Responsible to: / Director of Achievement (MFL)
Key relationships/Liaison with: / MFL Faculty
House staff
Director of Achievement ( Felbrigg House)
Mentor (if NQT)
Job purpose: / To teach Modern Foreign Languages at KS3 and KS4 with a possible opportunity for KS5 teaching.
Springwood High School is one of three 11 – 18 High Schools in King’s Lynn catering for a truly comprehensive catchment area which is partly urban and partly rural. Among our main assets are a dedicated and highly trained staff that supports each other, a strongly caring ethos, willing learners and a rich variety of extracurricular activities. In September 2000 Springwood became a Specialist Arts School, in 2009 a Training School and from April 2011 a new style Academy. In July 2013 the school was inspected by OFSTED and was judged good. “Springwood Students show a genuine thirst for learning. They are optimistic and positive about their education and the opportunities they are given to excel in extra-curricular activities”. The full report can be viewed on our website. In January 2013, Springwood was listed in the top 200 of most improved schools in the country and in Jan 2014 in the top 100 of most improved schools. The School has become increasingly popular as the exercise of parental choice moved rapidly in our favour and we are oversubscribed at all levels including the Sixth Form. In recent years the school has focussed strongly on raising standards of achievement. We intend to appoint a colleague who will make a significant impact on this endeavour.
We are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic teacher to join our highly successful MFL faculty. If you are passionate about language learning and sharing this with the students then you can make an important contribution to our department. Timetabled languages offered at KS3 and 4 are French, German and Spanish. We would welcome applications from well-qualified candidates offering any combination of these languages. Some KS5 teaching could also be available to the right candidate . You will be encouraged to play an active role in the organisation of our many visits abroad and to develop activities within our language department, such as the popular Spelling Bee competition in Year 7, clubs in Year 8 and working with industries in Year 9.
Curriculum
KS3
In year 7 all students study a main language, either French or German, in mixed ability groups and a further beginners course in Spanish. In year 8 more able pupils continue with both languages. Students make their GCSE options during year 8 and begin their GCSE course in year 9.Those not opting to take a language at GCSE reduce their language learning to 1 hour per week and follow a cultural course. In German the Echo course is used at KS3. French pupils follow Equipe and Spanish pupils the Mira course. We also subscribe to a range of on-line learning sites.
KS4
Students currently follow the Edexcel courses in all languages. Alongside our own resources we use the Pearson Edexcel course materials, including the Active Teach packages. Our pass rates at GCSE are consistently high, with over 90% of pupils gaining a C grade or above. We expect to have 3 French, 3 German and 2 Spanish GCSE classes in September 2015. Our students are expected to spend time on the on-line sites such as revilo,linguascope, gut and zut.
KS5
Students currently study the AQA specification in both French and German at AS and A2 level. Classes are taught in small groups and each pupil has a weekly session with the Foreign Language Assistants. We use both the Nelson Thorne course materials, including Kerboodle, and Elan and Zeitgeist.
Information
We offer a wide range of extra- curricular activities, including a year 7 House trip to Belgium and a Chinese learning club. There are KS3 trips to Paris and Chateaux in Northern France, Cologne and an exchange with Idar-Oberstein. We have KS4 visits to Berlin, Cologne and Northern France. At KS5 work experience placements in both countries are available. In addition, multi-cultural events are organised for our Superlearning days. Clubs, revision sessions and the opportunity to work with our Language Assistants are offered at both lunchtimes and after school.
We wish to appoint someone who will be happy to live in West Norfolk. Housing is inexpensive, quality of life is good, and sporting and cultural opportunities are plentiful. The nearest cities of Norwich, Cambridge and Peterborough are an hour’s drive away. King’s Lynn stages a major cultural festival each summer.
The post holder will have a shared responsibility for the safeguarding of all children and young people. The post holder has an implicit duty to promote the welfare of all children and young people.
Where the post holder has a budgetary responsibility, it is a requirement of the role to work within the Academy’s financial regulations.
The Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All staff will be subject to an enhanced check with the Criminal Records Bureau.
This is an exciting time for Springwood High School and a wonderful opportunity for either a newly qualified teacher or a colleague in their early years career. Please complete the Application Form and add a letter of application outlining the skills, qualities, and experiences which you could bring to this position and return it to the Headteacher’s PA, Mrs L.Elsegood by Monday 9 March 2015. Interviews are provisionally scheduled for week beginning Monday 16 March 2015