Teacher of English
The Downs School
West Berkshire
- Quick apply
- Salary:
- Main/Upper Scale
- Job type:
- Full Time, Part Time, Temporary
- Start date:
- 6 January 2025 (or before if available)
- Apply by:
- 3 December 2024
Job overview
We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and motivational Teacher of English (Media would also be advantageous) to join our successful and welcoming school. Applications are encouraged from ECTs as well as experienced teachers. There may be an opportunity for KS3 Lead responsibility for a suitable candidate.
The successful candidate will
- be a well-motivated practitioner, keen to share their enthusiasm for English
- contribute to the development of the department as part of a dedicated team of teachers
- be able to form positive and trusting relationships with students based on consistency, firm boundaries and making learning exciting and challenging
- have a professional attitude that is open to innovative ways of working
- be flexible and adaptable when faced with challenges
- be open to teach English and potentially Media, mainly KS3 (other subjects in addition to English also considered)
- be committed to working in partnership with the English Faculty and other staff
In return you will
- experience a caring, positive ethos that prioritises staff wellbeing and recognition
- be empowered to work with ambitious, dedicated, capable staff who are deeply committed to develop the whole child
- experience working with children who enjoy being at school, behave exceptionally and have excellent attitudes to learning
- work in a professional, stimulating, and collaborative working environment
- experience outstanding professional development and support to grow and develop as a teacher
The English Department is a very successful department and achieves outstanding GCSE and A Level results. At KS3, we have designed an exciting curriculum that is centred around creating a love of our subject whilst simultaneously establishing a strong foundation that honours the discipline of studying English. We provide enrichment activities and have specific lessons dedicated to celebrating and developing reading fluency and comprehension. At GCSE, we teach the national curriculum through the AQA Examination Board. We provide two A level courses (English Literature with Edexcel and the combined English Language & English Literature A Level with AQA.)
The department are committed to mixed ability teaching and supporting other students in smaller groups if needed. The team collaborates well together. The English department offer a range of extra-curricular events, challenges and trips including theatre trips, curriculum enriching opportunities like a visit to HMS Victory in relation to a Year 7 text, Spelling Bees, reading with our federation primary schools and many other events and courses; all of these are designed to enable students to thrive in and out of the English classroom. The Faculty also includes the Media/Film department. There is also easy access to PC suites for all teaching groups.
The Downs School, a Foundation, 11-18 comprehensive school, is a successful, oversubscribed, and popular school serving the Downs area of West Berkshire. The roll is in excess of 1400 with a well-established sixth form. Results at all levels are consistently outstanding and the best in West Berkshire, and Ofsted described our students as having ‘excellent personal and social skills’ who ‘achieve well academically.’
More information about the post and the school can be found on our website www.thedownsschool.org or by contacting Sarah Townsend, HR Manager on 01635 270022 or at recruitment@thedownsschool.org. Please submit your application via the TES portal by Tuesday, 3 December 2024 (we reserve the right to remove this advert prior to this date if a suitable candidate is found earlier).
The Downs School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Check through the DBS and provide evidence that they have a right to work in the UK.
Attached documents
About The Downs School
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Welcome to our School
The Downs School & Sixth Form is a co-educational, non-denominational school set in the heart of the West Berkshire Downs near Newbury. We provide a balanced approach to the pursuit of excellence by offering an interesting, challenging and lively curriculum. Students gain academic, creative, sporting and social skills, both in and out of the classroom, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience for all. We also place a strong emphasis on the partnership between staff, students and parents and respect the trust placed upon us by parents who actively choose our school for their children.
Our Sixth Form is vibrant, welcoming, all-inclusive and purposeful. Staff, students and parents work together to create an environment in which our young people are supported to realise their full potential and achieve their personal goals.
Values and vision
Our staff are committed to excellence and achievement at all levels and we develop our students into well-rounded young adults, able to venture into a rapidly changing world with confidence and determination. These principles are summed up in our school vision ‘Educating today’s students for the world of tomorrow.’ Ofsted has judged us as outstanding in every category but we are not a school that wants to stand still. We know that there is always more to do to ensure that every child’s educational experience is rich, character building and of the highest possible standard. We are striving to beyond outstanding through our philosophy of “Learning together, learning for life.”
We work in partnership with our students who contribute to the decision-making in the school, ensuring they feel valued and confident. Despite our size, we pride ourselves on our small school feel.
Beyond the classroom
Learning extends beyond the classroom to extra-curricular activities and trips, both within the UK and overseas. Lessons are brought to life through a wide range of educational trips; from visiting theatres in London and New York for our Performing Arts students, an annual Geography trip to Iceland and exchange visits for our language students to France. Our Sixth Form students often choose to join the bi-annual skiing trip and there is the opportunity to take part in a major expedition. Past expeditions have travelled to Ecuador, Norway and India.
We also offer other opportunities including inter-house sporting competitions and a variety of lunchtime and after school sport clubs. For those interested in dance, music or drama we offer a number of house competitions through the year and the opportunity to take part in our annual productions which have included Les Miserables and Billy Elliott. We also offer opportunities in debating, public speaking, creative writing and more.
Ofsted
“Students make very rapid progress across all year groups and in a wide range of subjects. The proportions of current Year 11 students making more than expected progress from Key Stage 2 in English and mathematics are very high. Together with students’ very high levels of attainment, this represents outstanding and sustained high achievement throughout Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4."
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