Teacher of English

Introduction:

Queen Ethelburga’s is set in more than 220 acres of beautiful North Yorkshire countryside, on the Thorpe Underwood Estate. Staff work as one team – whether they are directly teaching or supporting students as part of the school and pastoral teams, or as part of our estates team making sure that the campus works as it should – to create a vibrant learning and living environment in which every student can thrive. We aspire to excellence, have high expectations of ourselves and others, and take pride in everything we do. We aim to nurture resilient, confident, and independent lifelong learners. The Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate Standard is ‘To be the best that I can with the gifts that I have’.

Job purpose

The postholder will join the department at an exciting time, as super-curricular opportunities are being developed alongside the academic curriculum, providing career development and varied responsibilities. In addition, the opportunity for a position of responsibility in the department may be possible for the right candidate, depending on relevant experience and interests. 

Whilst experience of teaching A Level Language and/or Literature would be an advantage, applications from Early Career Professionals are also welcome. 

The postholder will provide outstanding teaching, maintaining the high standards of the Collegiate. This job description is written at a specific time and is subject to change as the demands of the Collegiate and the role develops. The role requires flexibility and adaptability and the employees of the Collegiate need to be aware that they may be asked to perform tasks and be given responsibilities not detailed in this job description. 

The English Department

The English Department has a range of academic teaching from Years 6-13 covering English Language and Literature.

The Department is based in a custom-designed suite of rooms. Each classroom has a Smart TV on which staff can display the work from their Surface Pro laptops (each staff member is provided with one). The department has also created extensive electronic resources that can be accessed and shared by staff and students via the Office 365 platform – the emphasis is very much on teamwork in developing the learning of the students. Friendly, supportive and innovative, the department enjoys considerable success in examinations at GCSE and A levels. Students are prepared for examinations in CIE IGCSE Language and Literature, CIE A Level English Language and CIE A Level English Literature.

Expectations

There are 30 x 55 min lessons per week of which 22 are timetabled. Staff contribute to duties and run an after-school activity. Supervision of an evening prep session until 615pm is required on one evening each week. Support for weekend trips on 2 occasions each year and attendance at Open Days is also required. There is no Saturday morning school and we teach for 34 weeks of the academic year.

Your duties and responsibilities are as follows:

Support for pupils

• Utilise specialist skills, training and experience to support pupils
• Establish productive working relationships with pupils, acting as a role model and setting high expectations
• Promote the inclusion and acceptance of all pupils within the classroom and the Collegiate environment
• Support pupils consistently, recognising and responding to their individual needs
• Encourage pupils to interact and work co-operatively with others, and engage all pupils in activities
• Promote good behaviour and management of relationships with peers and staff
• Provide feedback to pupils in relation to progress and achievement
• Provide formative oral and written assessments through marking, prep and other forms of feedback, using this to inform 
• Keep records of progress in the form of formal assessments and reports on the development, progress and attainment of students, as individuals and as groups of students to line managers and parents

Teaching

• Establish an appropriate learning environment. Maintain good order and discipline amongst the students, safeguarding their health and safety. 
• Help to develop resources for the department
• Lesson planning, evaluating and adjusting lessons/work plans/schemes of work as appropriate
• Monitor and evaluate pupils’ responses to learning activities through observation and planned recording of achievement against pre-determined learning objectives.
• Provide objective and accurate feedback and reports as required on pupil achievement, progress and other matters, ensuring the availability of appropriate evidence.
• Be responsible for keeping and updating records as agreed with the Heads of School/Year  
• Undertake marking of pupils’ work and accurately record achievement / progress
• Promote positive values, attitudes and good pupil behaviour, dealing promptly with conflict and incidents in line with established policy and encourage pupils to take responsibility for their own behaviour
• Administer and assess routine tests and invigilate exams/tests
• Communicate and consult with parents, outside bodies, etc, as directed by the Heads of School/Year
• Provide guidance and advice on educational matters and on further education and careers

Support for the Curriculum

• Implement agreed learning activities/teaching programmes, adjusting activities according to pupil responses/needs, ability to differentiate materials
• Review teaching methods and programmes of work as necessary
• Participate in training and professional development as required

Support for the Collegiate

• Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure all pupils have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop
• Carry out duties on a rota basis and one evening duty each week
• Contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of the Collegiate.
• Organise and deliver an extra-curricular activity
• Attend and participate in regular meetings, inset and directed time
• Participate in training and other learning activities as required
• Supervise pupils on visits, trips and out of Collegiate activities as required
• Promote the Collegiate and its pupils positively at all times