We are welcoming applications for the main scale teaching position alone, as well as from those who might wish to move into departmental leadership and management.
Welcome to OSH
Old Swinford Hospital is one of the country’s leading state boarding schools. A large number of the School’s students are boarders who come from a wide range of backgrounds in the UK and also from the EU and overseas. A third of our pupils are day pupils, who usually go home after lessons, unless they are involved in sport or music, CCF or DofE. The School has now become fully co-education
OSH is calm place to work. It is inclusive, tolerant and welcoming. The atmosphere is supportive and orderly, and it is also very relaxed because for many of our pupils their school is also their home. Parents, pupils and staff are all on the same side and our pupils want to learn before going out into the wider world and making their own contribution to it.
We have had two very favourable Ofsted visits, one for boarding and one for curriculum. You can see these via our website www.oshsch.com We enjoy a very good academic reputation and regularly feature in the lists of the most academically successful maintained schools. We’re not about league tables, however. We pride ourselves on developing in our pupils a balance of academic achievement, character and resilience and we’ve been doing this now for nearly 360 years.
Our extensive extra-curricular programme contributes to our pupils becoming happy, healthy and interested young people, for whom sport, music, art, drama, outdoor pursuits feature in their everyday lives.
About the English Department
Situated in a modern, purpose-built teaching block, which is highly conducive to creating a positive teaching and learning environment, the English Department at Old Swinford Hospital is a popular and high achieving department which is held in high regard by our pupils. The team of seven specialist English teachers delivers an exciting and meaningful curriculum across all key stages.
The Department offers AQA GCSE English Language and English Literature, A Level English Language and Literature, and A Level English Literature.
The successful applicant will join a committed and cohesive department in which the traditional values of English teaching are combined effectively with new approaches and initiatives and where there is considerable commitment to extending learning beyond the classroom experience and enjoying English.
Person Specification
- Genuine resilience, a ‘can-do’ attitude and an enthusiasm for teaching young people;
- A belief that young people have potential and can achieve, despite any obstacles they may face;
- A graduate teacher with a keen academic interest in the subjects from Year 7 to Year 13 and beyond;
- The willingness and ability to teach English at all age and ability levels within the school, up to and including A Level;
- The ability to work as part of a successful and supportive team;
- Interest in taking an active part in the development of the curriculum within the school;
- Interest in planning and contributing to extra-curricular activities;
- Flexibility and imagination in developing new ideas and resources, as well as adapting to curriculum changes;
- The ability to contribute to the wider School curriculum and the personal development of our pupils;
- Commitment to becoming a pro-active, reliable and supportive form-tutor.
- Commitment to the protection and safeguarding of children and young people.
- To actively monitor pupil progress;
General Job Specification and Conditions of Employment
The conditions of employment set out in the current School Teachers’ Pay and conditions Document will apply. The person appointed is responsible to the Subject Leader to carry out the duties and functions of a teacher in accordance with the Teaching Standards and the stated aims and objectives of the School and the Department.
The person appointed will:
- in consultation with the Subject Leader, plan, design and produce teaching materials and resources which are appropriate to age and ability and are in accordance with the School Development Plan and the Department Development Plan;
- in accordance with scheme of work, plan, deliver and review lessons which are appropriate to the age and ability of the students so as to facilitate progression in students’ learning and following the required examination syllabuses;
- assess, record and report on the development, progress and attainment of the students assigned to him or her within the School guidelines;
- manage the classroom and teaching equipment so as to create a supportive and positive learning environment which makes effective use of the available resources;
- attend meetings, carry out administrative tasks and duties as specified in the Staff Handbook;
- provide and facilitate the general progress and well-being of any individual student within any group of students assigned to him or her, providing guidance and advice to students on educational and social matters;
- implement the School policy with regard to registration, student absence, dress code and enforce School rules relating to behaviour and health and safety;
- participate in full staff and departmental meetings and to contribute to School decision making and consultation procedures;
- be involved in the School Performance Appraisal process, to engage in professional development activities so as to enhance personal performance, fulfil personal potential and be able to participate effectively in the implementation of the School’s goals and Development Plan;
- establish individual active links with industry and business in order to extend both student learning and own professional development;
- to be an Academic Tutor to an assigned Tutor Group if required, and to carry out related duties in accordance with the general job description of Tutor; including meeting parents and contacting home when directed to do so by Heads of Year or SLT
- to carry out a share of supervisory duties in accordance with published rotas; this will include break duty and also a lunch duty in return for complementary school dinners
- to participate in appropriate meetings with colleagues and parents;
- Operate relevant equipment/ICT packages (e.g. MS Office, internet, intranet, EduLink, SIMS, Every, E-mail);
- Keep up-to-date knowledge of the range of external agencies and opportunities that can be used to provide extra support for students;
- Support Learning Support Assistants with day to day issues;
- Participate in the promotion of the Department and School, including Saturday morning Open Days and other Open Evenings, Induction Days and the like, and the attendance at any marketing events as requested by SLT;
- Ensure effective communication with all colleagues (teaching and support staff);
- Undertake any training required;
- Any other reasonable duties requested by the Headmaster or SLT.
Job Specification for Second in Department role
- To support the Head of Department in monitoring the quality of teaching and implementation of the curriculum, offering constructive feedback to colleagues where necessary;
- To lead the department in times where the Head of Department might not be available when directed;
- Play an active role in the departmental annual self-evaluation, helping to analyse performance and set targets;
- Take responsibility for one or more key stage in the department, including managing assessments;
- To coordinate assessments and exams at key points to analyse data and implement intervention;
- To review set changes and pupil placement;
- To be a point of contact for parents for queries relating to curriculum;
- To work with the Subject Leader to develop and review the curriculum, resources, schemes of work, assessment and teaching and learning strategies across the Department;
- Take a leading role in reviewing schemes of work in one or more key stages, to offer a fresh perspective on how we might best sequence our content to promote progress;
- To help oversee day-to-day management, control, and operation of provision within the department, including ensuring appropriate cover-work and prep is set during staff absence;
- To be involved in out of hours school events such as open mornings and sixth form evening events, to help sell the great work our department does to parents and assist prospective students;
- Maintaining exceptionally high teaching standards and being able to lead by example with regards to both school and departmental policy and procedures;
- Take a leading role in applying whole school initiatives into the department, such as with behaviour, assessment or knowing your learners;
- Any other reasonable duties requested by the Headmaster or SLT.
Equal Opportunities
Old Swinford Hospital welcomes applications for employment from all sectors of the community.
Suitability to Work with Children
Old Swinford Hospital is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants are required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check.
The School reserves the right to close the job advert early where sufficient applications have been received and so we encourage early applications to ensure consideration for the post.
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