Deputy Director of Learning MFL

“Education is Success”

An opportunity to work in the only non-private Academy in London that offers both International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes at KS5

Our school
Westminster Academy is a good International Business and Enterprise academy and IB World School serving a diverse community of 11-18 year olds in Central London. The Academy is proud of its work to improve outcomes for students in an inclusive, supportive environment. As a member of the collaborative WA community you will have the opportunity to work alongside an exceptionally talented group of colleagues who are committed to continued professional growth and improvement of the student experience. You can find out more about us on our website, here.

Our IB Diploma Programme
We are one of very few non-fee paying schools in the U.K. offering the IB Diploma and Career-Related programmes, and we have a longstanding commitment and proven excellence in their delivery. The appeal of the IB Diploma is based on the philosophy of the programme; foreign languages, international-mindedness and service learning are combined with a sustained focus on thinking skills, academic writing and subject specific rigour. It is a challenging programme, but each year we see our IB Diploma graduates leave WA as mature, resilient, knowledgeable, principled and capable individuals, well prepared for the challenges of studying at university.

Teaching at WA
WA’s ethos is committed to developing the best teachers to give our students the best possible education. We aim to use, disseminate and promote a research-led approach to develop classroom practice that enables all students to thrive and make progress. The International Baccalaureate (IB) promotes pedagogies that are student-centred and inquiry-led, and this has inspired our current strategic aims, which are looking to embed and develop these strategies further. To achieve this, we prioritise and devote generous funding to teacher professional learning, both in-house and external, to support our staff at the different stages of their teaching and leadership careers.

Our MFL Department

We are seeking to appoint an outstanding teacher of languages to join our friendly, dedicated and highly successful MFL department. Our teachers share a passion for working collaboratively and creatively in order to provide a stimulating and meaningful learning experience for our students. As an IB school, language acquisition is an integral part of the curriculum as it reflects the IB’s emphasis on a holistic education which develops inquisitive, open-minded and internationally-minded citizens. At Westminster Academy we teach Spanish, French, German and Arabic with all students continuing the learning of a foreign language to at least GCSE level. Many students benefit from achieving an additional qualification in their mother tongue with some finishing Year 11 with as many as three foreign language GCSEs every year. The Academy has an IB-only sixth form in which all students continue with the study of a foreign language. Consequently, all learners - from Year 7 to Year 13 - study languages in their main curriculum. We are proud to be the London Centre for Languages and Cultures hub school, an initiative which promotes intercultural awareness and the study of languages at university.

Our MFL Curriculum and Pedagogy

Our core aim is to foster a love for language learning and develop life-long language learning skills. As such, we endeavour to make the study of a foreign language a fun and positive experience and equip students with the necessary tools to reach their full potential through both a collaborative and independent learning environment. The emphasis on the development of students’ communication skills, as well as the understanding of the principles underpinning language development work, stands at the core of our teaching and learning approach. Grammar is taught explicitly in the curriculum so that students improve their fluency and accuracy both in speaking and writing, and become more confident when dealing with unfamiliar language. All units are designed to guarantee a balanced coverage of all four skills, ensuring that frequent opportunities to revisit and build on prior knowledge are embedded in our practice. We aim to employ a high level of target language use so that students are exposed to the most authentic experience possible. As an IB school and a multi-ethnic community where more than 70 languages are spoken among the student body, students are encouraged to broaden their horizons by learning about and appreciating the cultures associated with the language being studied. We believe that the use of authentic materials is a powerful and engaging way to nurture students' interests in other cultures, reflect on their own, and strengthen their overall development as global citizens.

The ideal candidate will be:
An excellent classroom teacher who is committed to the success of each individual student
Flexible to teach other subjects within the Humanities department
Experienced in teaching the relevant subject(s) with a relevant university degree
Able to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to their own professional growth and development
Passionate about their subject to inspire our students

What we offer:
A competitive salary and benefits package
Additional responsibilities remunerated via an Extra Responsibilities Allowance (ERA)
Sign up incentives available for experienced IB educators
An excellent programme of continuing professional development
Relevant training with the International Baccalaureate for teachers of Key Stage 5
A commitment to staff well being, including access to the local gym, staff social events, free parking and a wellbeing committee
Excellent transport links and close to central London for the social life and sights of London

How To Apply:
Please send both parts of your completed application form to: hrteam@westminsteracademy.org.uk
Please note we do not accept CVs.

Closing Date: Sunday 9th June 2024

We may interview candidates ahead of the closing date so early application is advised. The Academy reserves the right to interview and appoint prior to the advertised closing date.

Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding children and promoting their welfare. As such there may be additional safeguarding requirements and responsibilities depending on the nature of the role advertised and the extent to which the role will involve contact with children.

The post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020, as the work brings employees into contact with children who are regarded by the Act as a vulnerable group. Applicants for any role at Westminster Academy must disclose all spent and unspent convictions.

A professional social media check may take place to reduce risks to reputation, confidentiality breach and data security. The check identifies a candidate's online presence to look for negative behaviours such as bullying, racism, nudity and excessive bad language.