Teacher of English
What skills and experience we're looking for
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
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.
WWW.THEDOWNSSCHOOL.ORG
What the school offers its 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
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.