The Post
Applications are invited for the above post from September 2015. It is a permanent and full time position. We are seeking to appoint a passionate, talented and outstanding English teacher to teach mainly Key Stage 3. This is an opportunity to work in a successful, supportive and innovative department. You will be ambitious, well qualified and highly motivated. NQTs are welcome to apply, as are more experienced teachers. A Recruitment and Retention payment of £1,500 could be available for the right candidate.
The English & Media Faculty is staffed by a good mix of age and experience. Currently the department has 14 full and part time staff, some of whom have varied school responsibilities.
Teaching groups in years 7, 8 and 9 are set in two broad bands of ability. At Key Stage 4 all student are entered for GCSE English and English Literature. Media is offered as a GCSE and BTec subject. English Literature and Language (Edexcel) are offered at AS and A2 to our sixth form students. The subject is one of the most successful in the sixth form – the value added is consistently excellent. GCSE (OCR), Advanced level Media Studies (OCR) and BTEC (Edexcel) are also offered and are the responsibility of the Head of Media who remains under the leadership of the Head of Faculty.
There are opportunities to develop extra-curricular activities including visits to the theatre, trips to Jane Austen’s house and Hampton Court. Theatre workshops and visiting authors have performed for students within the timetabled day, and we run lunchtime clubs. Members of staff also offer revisions sessions for exam classes at various times of the year, and we are always open to suggestions regarding extra-curricular activities that staff wish to run.
Our School
The School Vision is striving for excellence in learning through Resilience, Responsibility and Respect.
The Downs School is a co-educational, comprehensive school serving the scattered rural community of the Berkshire Downs and beyond. The location is situated in the with good road links to Newbury, Reading, Didcot and Oxford – situated 10 minutes from the A34.
We offer a broad and balanced curriculum and are firmly committed to establishing first class standards and are proud of our achievements. Our expectations are high and this is reflected in our very successful academic record. The School was inspected in June 2013 under the new framework and was judged ‘Outstanding.’ The Downs School is a stimulating and friendly environment work in and also offers an excellent established induction and CPD programme to support staff.
As well as the completed and signed application form, we would request that in support of your application you provide a letter or statement indicating how you meet the requirements of the post, giving detailed examples where possible, and outlining what you feel you can bring to the role which would enhance the outcomes of the students at The Downs School.
Please return your applications by Tuesday 16th June 2015 to Mrs Isabel Waite, School Secretary/HR Officer at the above address or e.mail her at iwaite@thedownsschool.org
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 though the DBS and provide evidence that they have a right to work in the UK.