Head of EAL

Malvern St James welcomes international pupils every year and seeks to enable them to make the best of their opportunities during their time at the School. For some, English may be their first language, whereas for others it will be their second or even third language. All prospective international pupils, where English is a second or third language, are assessed on entry for their English fluency by EAL specialists as we want to be confident of their ability to access learning across the curriculum for their key stage. We seek to tailor learning to the individual.  International pupils whose first language is not English very likely have extra one-to-one tuition with a specialist English as an Additional Language (EAL) teacher if it is thought their academic progress is hampered by their level of language. In addition, curriculum EAL classes are held in Years 9, 10 and 11. Timetabled classes to prepare pupils for IELTS (the English language qualification is required by International pupils who do not have GCSE or IGCSE English Language) are held in Years 12 and 13. A small number of pupils will be prepared for the Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language (ESL) qualification in Years 10 & 11 instead of first language English GCSE. 

Our aim is for each pupil to become an independently active learner and to benefit from all areas of the curriculum, at the same time as tackling and progressively mastering the intricacies of the spoken and written language. We work in partnership with parents and staff to enable each pupil to achieve her very best at school and promote a whole-School approach to supporting pupils as individual learners. 

All pupils and especially those with EAL have achieved outstanding success because of the quality of teaching and learning at Malvern St James. Teaching within the department is cumulative and flexible according to continuous informal assessment of the needs of the individual pupil. Each lesson covers a variety of activities and considers the learner's strengths and learning styles. We ensure that pupils know how they learn and encourage them to develop their own successful strategies to overcome difficulties. The provision embodies best practice, constantly exploring new teaching ideas, methods and materials to ensure that every pupil has access to the best and most successful resources.  

Model United Nations is just one of the huge variety of extra-curricular activities organised by staff, ranging from sport to music to debating, which stretch and broaden the learning experience for all our pupils. 

Staff and Ethos 

The department currently consists of the Head of EAL and four other EAL teachers. The department is located within the main school building, sharing an office and individual teaching rooms with the Learning Development Department. All the EAL teachers work very closely with subject teachers and Heads of Subject, in order to meet the EAL needs of our pupils. 

The Role 

A dynamic and well qualified EAL expert is sought to lead and manage the excellent work of the EAL Department, overseeing a team of skilled practitioners. One-to-one teaching is the core activity, plus IELTS class teaching, IGCSE ESL, EAL class teaching and small group work; liaison with pupils, parents/guardians and other staff is expected as appropriate, along with attendance at parent/teacher meetings. The Head of EAL also has an important role in admissions and screening processes, as well as the formation of the EAL 1:1 timetable. 

Responsible for: Members of the EAL Department. 

Purpose of the Job 

The Head of EAL will be expected to: 

• teach EAL, IGCSE ESL and IELTS;

• lead and manage the EAL team efficiently;

• uphold the Teachers’ Standards for their department;

• support the visions, aims and objectives of the School;

• be committed to the values and culture of the School, centred around its Boarding ethos;

• be committed to the longer-term development and promotion of the Department;

• promote outstanding teaching and inspire a love of learning within the department;

• implement whole school policies within the department;

• liaise with the Deputy Head Academic and the Senior Leadership Team in assessing the effectiveness of the School policies in relation to the department and recommending improvements in line with best practice;

• keep abreast of developments within EAL and be committed to ongoing training and personal development;

• undertake evening, weekend and other duties as required.

The Head of EAL is responsible for:

• the welfare and deployment of staff within the EAL team;

• the well-being and progress of all pupils in its care;

• being fully versed in and compliant with all the School’s Child Protection (Safeguarding) policies and procedures;

• planning and implementing the departmental Schemes of Work, where applicable;

• the development and implementation of departmental marking, recording and assessment policies;

• ensuring that departmental policies conform to whole-School policies and that members of the department implement them;

• formation of the EAL 1:1 timetable both at the start of the academic year and making changes where necessary throughout the year;

• delivering and organising the IELTS and IGCSE ESL lessons and qualifications, working with Head of Sixth Form and the Examinations Officer where necessary;

• assisting the Admissions Department and wider team in the setting and marking of relevant Entrance papers and interviewing prospective EAL pupils when requested to do so; also in advising on suitability during the decision-making process;

• liaising with subject teachers, Heads of Subject, Heads of Year and Head of Assessment and tracking in order to maximise pupil attainment;

• the departmental budget and deployment of departmental resources; the department classroom(s) including quality of displays and subject promotional materials;

• departmental/Whole School Staff Training Days and professional development;

• keeping abreast of both academic and administrative developments within the subject area;

• implementing the formal requirements of the school's Health and Safety Policy within the department;

• the annual review and evaluation of the department's performance;

• developing cross-curricular links with other Heads of Subjects and departments as appropriate.