PART I: ABOUT THE MODERN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
The Modern Languages Department is one of the largest and most successful in the school, with twelve full-time and eight part-time teachers, including four language assistants. The department occupies a substantial suite of rooms in the centre of the school, all of which are equipped with Wi-Fi, and there is a Sanako 1200 digital language laboratory to which all sets have regular access. The main school library is very close by: it holds an excellent selection of foreign-language literature, as well as European newspapers and periodicals.
French, German, Spanish and Russian are all taught to GCSE and A-level. Every pupil in the school takes at least one modern language (either French or German) to GCSE, but many study two and some three. There are currently over 100 pupils studying a modern language in the sixth form. Every year a number of pupils apply to read Modern Languages at university, including at Oxford and Cambridge, where the department is very well represented.
The department has a strong literary tradition. In the sixth form, pupils study literature as an integral part of their language courses and are expected to read widely in their subject. There are prestigious essay and recitation competitions in all languages, as well as play-reading societies; each year, outside speakers are invited to address pupils on literary and other cultural topics. French plays are regularly staged in the school theatre. There is an annual programme of trips and exchanges to France, Germany, Austria, Spain and Russia, and all colleagues in the department are expected to participate in such trips from time to time.
Results are outstanding. In summer 2021, Winchester pupils sat the final year of Pre-U exams (an alternative qualification that has now been replaced across the school by linear A-levels). Across all languages, thirty-seven Distinction 1 grades (a grade above A-level A*) were awarded, thirteen D2s (equivalent to A*), and one D3 (A). There were no results below M2/B. The A*/A range at GCSE and IGCSE for all languages was over 90%.
PART II: ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES – FRENCH ASSISTANT
Role and Responsibilities
The French Assistant will help pupils to develop their French speaking skills from Year 11 to Year 13 (15 to 18 years old), with the aim to improve their confidence in communications. They will be expected to give equal attention to all students.
There will be weekly lessons, which will be conducted entirely in French, from Monday to Saturday inclusive. This year, there are just over 50 pupils studying French in Sixth Form, and the French Assistant teaches them in groups of two. The French Assistant will also help pupils prepare for their oral examinations in Year 11 and Year 13.
The French Assistant will be called upon to provide classroom cover in the French Department and undertake other duties as requested (e.g. helping to prepare pupils for recitation competitions, language activities, clubs or revision clinics).
During term-time, the French Assistant will be expected to be fully committed to the extra-curricular life of the school, in addition to being committed to its values and culture. They will accompany various trips such as the French Exchange trip, which usually takes place in the first week of the Christmas Holidays. During term-time, they will be fully involved in boarding, taking part in House lunches and care for students in the evenings and at weekends. They will supervise socials and help to organise other events and activities. They will also be involved in sports in the afternoons and Community Service on Wednesday afternoons.
Person Specification
The successful candidate will be academically strong, have a detailed knowledge of French grammar and literary texts, be enthusiastic and IT literate. They should endeavour to push pupils to the highest level and enthuse them about French culture and language. Being able to cooperate and interact pro-actively with colleagues in the department and across the school will be paramount.
Key Qualities
The successful candidate will be/have:
PART III: BENEFITS, TERMS AND CONDITIONS, AND APPLICATION
Start date
This is a one-year, fixed-term contract for the academic year starting in September 2022.
Salary
The starting salary will be £24,000 (gross) per annum.
Length of Contract
This employment is for a fixed term of one year, which may be extended to a maximum of two years by mutual agreement.
Probation, Notice Periods
The first four months of employment will be a probationary period. During this time, conduct and performance will be reviewed. The College may extend the probationary period if it is deemed to be required. During the probationary period, the notice required by either party to terminate employment will be four weeks. If employment is confirmed, the notice period will increase to one full term.
Induction and Continuous Training and Development
The school is fully committed to the induction, training and development of all our staff, with staff supported to grow and reach their full potential.
We deliver a range of training, run by both our own staff and external providers, varying from highly practical First Aid courses to seminars and learning lunches on many aspects of teaching and learning.
There is an annual cycle of appraisal offering the opportunity to reflect on professional practice and development opportunities.
Pension and Life Cover
On employment, employees will be auto-enrolled into the College’s pension scheme according to legislative thresholds. Those who are not eligible for auto-enrolment may still elect to join the College’s pension scheme. Initially, when joining the College’s pension scheme, employees will become a member of the College’s Group Personal Pension Plan (GPP). For this Plan, known as Tier 1, currently the employee contributes 4% and the employer 3%.
After nine months’ membership of the Tier 1 plan employees may opt to join Tier 2, which is also a Group Personal Pension Plan but contribution rates are 5% from the employee and 9% from the College. Employees in Tier 1 automatically qualify for a Life Cover of 2 times salary. On entry to Tier 2 Life Cover changes to 4 times salary.
Annual Leave
This is a term-time only position, with the successful candidate benefitting from school holidays.
Sports Facilities
The school offers all staff free access to its sports facilities, including a gym, tennis courts and in spring 2023, a new 25m swimming pool. Exercise classes, including spinning and circuits are also offered.
Wider Benefits
Winchester College is situated in the heart of beautiful, historic Winchester. Staff are offered a free tour of the College, with discounted rates available for booking venues within the school’s grounds for hospitality events.
Disclosure Check
As Winchester College is an educational establishment, a condition of employment will be that the successful candidate must consent to the school obtaining an Enhanced Level Disclosure check through the Disclosure and Barring Service. This will reveal all spent and unspent convictions, warnings, cautions and bind-overs. A policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders is available on the school’s portal.
The jobholder’s responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom they are responsible, or with whom they come into contact with, will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy at all times. The French Assistant should be conversant with the responsibilities and procedures detailed in this policy and with the Department for Education’s Keeping Children Safe in Education. If, in the course of carrying out the duties of the post, the French Assistant becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the school, they must report any concerns to the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead or in their absence the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.
References and Other Pre-employment Checks
The appointment will be dependent on the receipt of satisfactory references. The College will usually seek references from shortlisted candidates before interview and may approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifications. At least one referee must be the current or most recent employer. Where applicants are not currently working with children but have done so in the past, one referee must be the person by whom they were most recently employed when working with children.
Data Protection
Winchester College collects and processes relevant personal data as part of its everyday operations and is obliged to process it in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018. The school is the Data Controller of this data under the Act and is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office; its registration number is Z5751669.