Teacher of French for September 2025

We are looking for an enthusiastic, capable and inspiring teacher to join our friendly and successful Modern Languages department from September 2025.

We welcome applications from experienced teachers, ECTs and graduates. If a graduate or ECT were appointed to the post, a high level of structured support and guidance (meeting statutory requirements) would be provided to ensure progression towards the successful completion of their training or induction period. We pride ourselves on the level of support and care given to teachers in the early stages of their careers

Reasonably priced accommodation adjacent to the school may be available.

The successful candidate:

• Will have a passionate interest in the subject

• Will have excellent subject knowledge

• Will be an outstanding classroom teacher

• Will possess creativity, strong organisational abilities, and excellent interpersonal skills

• Will join a talented and welcoming team

• May also offer Spanish and/or German

The Modern Languages Department

The Modern Languages Department currently consists of Heads of Spanish, French and German and a further six teachers. The department is fortunate to have the support of four French, German and Spanish Assistants (FLA) and is led and managed by a Head of Modern Languages. All staff are experienced and very well qualified and are pleased to contribute to the development of a high-quality learning environment within the department and to a varied range of extra-curricular activities.

Pupils study French, German and Spanish on rotation in Year 7 and most continue with two languages in Year 8. All three languages are offered at GCSE and A-level and take up and success rates at this level are high. The department runs a wide variety of co-curricular activities and trips.

In addition to classroom teaching across the age range, responsibilities of the Head of French include:

• developing an intellectually challenging and engaging curriculum alongside a rigorous assessment structure;

• securing outstanding teaching and learning including through lesson observations, monitoring of pupil work and the annual review process;

• setting high expectations for academic progress and using data effectively, resulting in high examination results;

• preparing high achieving candidates to apply for Oxbridge courses and supporting them throughout the application process

• sustaining and building on the provision of related extra-curricular activities to enhance the perception of the subject for all pupils and stretch the highest achievers;

• ensuring effective communication with parents and pupils regarding academic progress;

• the efficient management and administration of the department

• keeping up to date with the latest developments in the teaching of languages

A copy of the generic job description for Heads of Department at Colfe’s School is also attached.

Teachers appointed to Colfe’s are expected to contribute to the co-curricular life of the community and will become part of a caring, purposeful and committed community of outstandingly supportive colleagues.

Teaching staff at Colfe’s enjoy a range of benefits including:

• Colfe’s highly competitive salary scale

• Longer holidays than the maintained sector

• Free lunches

• Free membership of Colfe’s Leisure Centre

• Free on-site parking

• Excellent professional development opportunities

• Cycle to Work scheme

• Annual flu vaccination

Application procedure

The recruitment process will require all applicants to complete an application form, accompanied by a letter of application, current CV and details of two referees, who will be contacted prior to interview, in accordance with the School’s Safer Recruitment procedures. There will be a interviews and a lesson observation for short listed candidates.

The application may be submitted either electronically, to: recruitment@colfes.com or by post, to:

Mrs A Ross, Human Resources, Colfe’s School, Horn Park Lane, London SE12 8AW

Applications should be sent as soon as possible and by 9.00 am Wednesday 18 March at the latest. Colfe’s reserves the right to appoint to this post before the closing date if necessary and we would therefore very much encourage early applications.

Colfe’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service.