Head of Department - MFL - Full-time

Leigh Academy Rainham, Gillingham

• Ref:KCC105-1002-192T
• Posted:20/02/2024
• Pay:MPS/UPS + TLR2a £3,409
• Start Date:September 2024
• App Close Date:04/03/2024 at 23:45
• Interviews:TBC

Advert

Are you a visionary leader ready to shape the future of language education? We are seeking an exceptional Head of Languages to drive our aspirational curriculum, where languages are not just taught but experienced. You will play a pivotal role in ensuring a continuous and enriching linguistic journey for students from their starting point in year 7 guiding them through to mastery at GCSE and beyond. 

Working in a brand new school is a unique and rare opportunity and we are seeking a highly skilled Head of Department - MFL with a can-do ethos, drive, grit and boundless enthusiasm. MFL is a compulsory subject until year 11 so we are seeking someone with the knowledge and understanding of second language acquisition to help all students succeed. 

It is essential that our Head of MFL is a highly effective teacher with an exceptional understanding of curriculum design, is supportive of others and openly shares best practice, modeling this with their growing team. They need to embrace a forward-thinking approach to both curriculum intent and implementation, with carefully sequenced high-quality learning experiences for our students. 

The ideal candidate will have a track record of excellent outcomes and an awareness of the latest MFL pedagogy, cognitive science and second language acquisition to continue to challenge our students, making us a beacon for MFL teaching in the UK. The MFL team currently consists of 2 staff and one Assistant Principal who all teach French and Spanish. The successful candidate will play a fundamental role in managing this growth and the recruitment process going forward. 

This post would suit an experienced and ambitious subject specialist who is sympathetic to challenging perceived orthodoxy and who wants to play a leading role in continuing to build a very high-performing department.

If you are looking for a new challenge in an exceptional new Academy we look forward to hearing from you! Click here to hear from our Curriculum Advisor for MFL!

What we are offering:

• A salary commensurate with the profile of the post
• Bespoke CPD with mentoring and coaching opportunities
• The opportunity to work laterally across a number of Leigh Academies Trust schools to benchmark best practice and to be involved in teaching and learning innovation

We’d like to hear from candidates who are:

• An excellent teacher who is passionate about learning and has strong subject knowledge
• Able to maintain a positive growth mindset despite challenges they may face
• Collaborative, able to build strong professional relationships
• Able to motivate and inspire students and staff to achieve their full potential
• Energetic and have a can-do attitude
• Confident and has strong career aspirations
• Committed to safeguarding and the happiness and wellbeing of everyone at the Academy
• Prepared to be involved in leading co-curricular activities either within or outside of their teaching subject
• Committed to accessing the support from the Trust to improve their digital skills in preparation for becoming Level 1 Certified Google Educators 

This is a permanent opportunity offering a MPS/UPS commensurate with experience. Please click here to view our Recruitment Brochure. 

Information about the school

Opened in September 2021 with 180 founding students, our co-educational comprehensive school for 11–18-year-olds is already oversubscribed and positioned to become a beacon of excellence in Medway. We place each student’s wellbeing and success at the centre of all we do, fostering a belief in their limitless potential. Through a broad, balanced, and inclusive curriculum, we offer a personalised and challenging education for every learner, regardless of background or starting point. Our aim is to develop inquiring, compassionate, and culturally aware young adults, equipped with the skills, knowledge, and values to thrive personally, contribute to their community, and lead in tomorrow’s world.

Our strong learning community works together and shares the value of collaboration; every member of our academy family works together to achieve success, cultivating a strong sense of belonging. Our belief in human-scale education, delivered through our college model, ensures every one of our students is known and valued. Strong pastoral care is at the heart of our academy and we place great importance on building strong partnerships with parents and carers.

Working in a brand new school is a unique opportunity. A flexible approach with a can-do ethos is required, as is drive, grit and boundless enthusiasm. We will be looking to recruit a staff body that has a multitude of talents to enable us to provide a rich academic and co-curricular offer from the outset and look forward to hearing what additional skills, talents and interests you could bring to a role at the Academy. A sense of humour is also essential!

"As a Rainham community member who was born, raised and educated in the local area, I am both passionately and personally invested in ensuring Leigh Academy Rainham plays an instrumental role in shaping the future lives of our young people and transforming the local community". - Alex Cramlington, Principal

"During lessons, attentive pupils focus extremely well. They show tenacity and maturity in their learning. Pupils appreciate their teachers, understanding that calm, quiet classrooms help them to learn best." - Ofsted, 2024

Job Contact Information

• Name:Holly Neve (Talent Manager)
• Address:Leigh Academy Rainham, Otterham Quay Lane, Rainham, Gillingham, Kent, ME8 8GS
• Telephone: 01634 412440
• Email: info@leighacademyrainham.org.uk

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

• Head of Department | Job Description | LAR