English Teacher

Nature of the Post:  ​

English is an essential and core subject; all pupils do English at KS3 and 4 and then complete their GCSE. English Literature is offered at A Level and is an increasingly popular course. The role will include some short-term English language intervention and targeted EAL support in mainstream English lessons. ​​Training can be provided for the right candidate if they have a keen interest in EAL but not the experience.

Pupils take GCSE, IGCSE, AS and A2 Levels, and the EPQ qualifications. All teachers are required to take part in school duties as required in a boarding school and they are also usually required to play a part in the form and progress tutor teams. The role requires exceptional communication, interpersonal and organisational skills, empathy, sympathy, flexibility, attention to detail, the ability to inspire pupils and a co-operative and supportive attitude to colleagues. ​

Responsible to: ​

Head of English ​

Remuneration: ​

Wychwood offers its own pay scale. ​

Other Benefits: ​

• Company Pension Scheme ​

• Cycle to Work Scheme ​

• Generous fee remission for children of staff ​

• Free meals can be taken at school during your working hours in term-time​

Professional Responsibilities: ​

• To attend INSET and other training courses as required e.g. preparation for inspections and personal professional development ​
• To attend staff meetings and read the minutes ​
• To carry out staff duties such as weekend and prep duties ​
• To attend parents’ meetings for those pupils taught and those meetings where information is required by parents for the next stage of education ​
• To supply the examinations officer with all relevant and accurate data to allow public examination administration pre- and post-results to be carried out effectively and efficiently ​
• To prepare and support pupils applying for Further Education ​
• To share cover for absent colleagues ​
• To be part of the progress tutor and form teacher teams as required ​
• To observe all Health and Safety requirements in order to maintain a safe environment ​
• Be prepared to share in the First Aid cover for the school after appropriate training ​
• To co-operate in ordering, storing, managing and distributing the subject’s resources ​
• To take responsibility for keeping and recording detailed accounts for trips and other areas where the member of staff is leading, communicating these accounts to finance and the recording and communication of all billing information to finance ​
• To be involved in the extra-curricular life of the school  ​
• To maintain close involvement with the life of the school ​
• To ensure appropriate standards of behaviour of the pupils in their care at all times ​
• To attend meetings regularly and to undertake any tasks reasonably required by the Head of Department. ​
• To undertake any other task reasonably requested by the Head.  ​

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Academic Responsibilities: ​

• To promote a love and appreciation of English and EAL as an academic discipline ​
• To ensure pupils have an appreciation of the value and wonder inherent in English ​
• To explain how English can contribute to possible career paths ​
• To plan, teach, and evaluate lessons in English and EAL in accordance with the requirements of the appropriate specifications, assess students and provide feedback to them which furthers their progress and improves outcomes for them. ​
• To draw up schemes of work, evaluating and amending them in the light of experience  ​
• To adhere to all academic policies and protocols in place ​
• To produce, maintain and update schemes of work appropriate to each class taught ​
• To select and use appropriate and varied resources, equipment and techniques  ​
• To keep detailed records ​
• To produce written course information where it is required ​
• To encourage pupils to monitor their own progress, whether by individual tutorials or written self-assessment  ​
• To ensure that school assessments and examinations are reviewed after each examination session to help pupils identify and eradicate errors in knowledge, practice or examination technique ​
• To promote active and independent learning which encompasses Habits of Mind ​
• To model and encourage the use of a variety of study skills, revision techniques and learning approaches to maximise a pupil’s performance  ​
• To apply the recommendations of IEPs ​
• To maintain up-to-date knowledge of developments in education especially in English and EAL ​
• To report termly to parents in writing, completing them by the published deadlines  ​
• To produce written reports for staff on progress on a timely and termly basis ​
• To mark and comment on entry papers in a timely and professional manner where appropriate  ​
• To organise and lead trips to promote interest in English and EAL ​
• To liaise with other teachers and progress tutors about the pupils’ progress. ​

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Experience and Qualifications ​

• The Teacher of English and EAL will ideally ​
• have an Honours degree in a subject related to this post ​
• have a PGCE or QTS or equivalent qualification ​
• have teaching experience in a secondary school  ​
• have experience of working in a team and individually ​
• be familiar with everyday school requirements such as lesson planning, record keeping, report writing, parents’ evenings, etc. 

Person Specification ​

Personal Qualities required:  ​

• be a good team player ​
• have a good work ethic ​
• be respectful of and to acknowledge the Christian ethos and heritage of the school ​
• be committed to the academic and pastoral ethos of the school ​
• be committed to promoting Wychwood School, Oxford positively by attendance at Open Mornings and Evenings and supporting whole-school, extra-curricular and outreach events. ​

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Skills and Attributes: ​

• be rigorous and professional in their approach ​
• be able to manage time well so that pressure points such as report writing or examinations are managed effectively ​
• be prepared to take advice, try out new things, and be able to critically reflect ​
• enjoy the subject and work  ​
• understand and act upon the need for timely, accurate communication between staff in school, the SENDCo, the EAL department and parents so that the pupils receive the highest quality, targeted support where necessary ​

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It is the duty of independent schools and in particular boarding schools to promote and safeguard the welfare of children in their care.  Wychwood School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), and online and open social media checks.  The school follows the DfE statutory guidance given in the latest version of Keeping Children Safe in Education.