Teacher of MFL (Spanish with French) at Didcot Girls' School

About this Role

MFL Teacher (Spanish with French)

Full-time or Part-time

Didcot Girls' School & Didcot Sixth Form

Fixed Term Contract

Contract term: 1st January 2027 - 31st August 2027

Salary/allowances: MPS/UPS scale point

Closing date: Monday 2nd November

We welcome applications from experienced and newlyqualified teachers

ThePost

Thisis a key post in a strong and innovative department. We are looking for ateacher with a genuine and infectious passion for teaching languages who willenthuse and engage the students they teach; a teacher with high expectationsfor all students whatever their prior attainment.

Theideal candidate will have a passion for learning and high standards and willenjoy drawing on evidence-based practice from wider trends in pedagogy to giveour pupils the very best teaching in Modern Languages. You will be someone whocan contribute positively to our school ethos and values and who shares ourvision to ensure limitless opportunities for young women.

Thesuccessful applicant will ideally teach Spanish to KS5 and French to KS3.

Pleasemake clear in your application which languages and to what level you can teach.

Thispost is suitable for newly qualified teachers as well as those with moreexperience.

Forfurther information about the role or department, pleaseemail Valerie Morris, Head of MFL at [email protected]

Wehighly value the professional development of all of our staff and leadershipopportunities run through the heart of the school for students and staff alike.There are exciting opportunities across our Trust to access the most recentresearch -based training in pedagogy and leadership so that all staff arecontinually able to develop their practice. This is complemented by dedicatedcollaborative planning and subject specific curriculum development time eachweek.

TheDepartment

TheModern Languages Department is staffed by a supportive group of 7 teaching staffand 3 Foreign Language Assistants. We are also working in partnership withOxford Brookes University on their Hanban programme and have a teacher placedwith us during the academic year to support the teaching of Chinese Mandarin.Results at all levels are strong and following an upward trend. At GCSE resultsare excellent across all languages: Chinese Mandarin (100% 4+), French (83%4+), German (89% 4+) and Spanish (77% 4+).

Accommodation

Teachingrooms all with ceiling mounted projectors and Promethean boards and 15laptops for students

Curriculum

At Key Stage 3students are taught in mixed ability classes. All students study Spanish with either French or Germanover the course of Years 7 and 8 and specialise in one language in Year 9, although they can choose to continue withtwo. Some students in Year 7 opt tofollow the Mandarin Excellence Programme when they join the school and theystudy Chinese Mandarin and Spanish in Years 7 and 8. We use a range of resourcesfor our schemes of work, including units from the Studio course for French, JinBu for Chinese, Viva for Spanish and Stimmt for German.

InYears 10 and 11 we run GCSE courses in German, French and Spanish as part ofour options programme, following Edexcel specifications for all three languagesand using Pearson Edexcel published resources tailor-made for this exam board.All examinations are taken in Year 11.

Weare also part of the Mandarin Excellence Programme which is a very excitingintensive learning programme where students are taught 4 hours of Chinese everyweek at KS3, with the expectation they will study the subject throughout theirtime at the school and into the Sixth Form, taking the GCSE examinationfollowing the AQA specification. This programme features a universityresidential course in Year 9.

MFLoptions are increasingly popular in the joint Sixth Form with all fourlanguages offered across our joint Sixth Form with St Birinus School (the boys'school located s short walk away and part of the Ridgeway Education Trust). Wefollow the AQA specification for German, French and Spanish and the IB coursefor Chinese Mandarin.

Extra-CurricularActivities

Wehave a very strong enrichment programme for our students including in and outof school competitions and weekly support/extension clubs for both upper andlower school. We run regular trips abroad which are very popular, from a shortresidential trip to Northern France with Year 7 students to longer visits toParis, Sevilla, Berlin and China. Didcot is twinned with the German town ofPlanegg and we have strong exchange links with the school there.

InternationalSchool Award

DidcotGirls' School has held the International Schools Award for over twenty years.As a Languages Specialist school in the days when specialisms were available,the school has a long tradition of and commitment to language learning andapproximately 65% of each year group will opt for at least one MFL GCSE. Webelieve it is essential that our school community is outward-looking andinternational in its focus in order to prepare our young people for globalfutures.

The School

Didcot Girls' School is a dynamic school. In November 2022, the school was judged as continuing to be Outstanding. As Ofsted recognised, we invest in all of our staff:

"Leaders support staff very well. They have established a collaborative and respectful working environment. With the trust, they provide highly valued training and leadership programmes. Staff are exceptionally proud to work at the school."

Ofsted also noted the high standards within the school and commented that "Pupils' behaviour is exemplary."

We are a values-driven school, committed to high quality teaching and learning and respectful relationships within an inclusive learning community. Developing stimulating and student-centred teaching and learning is at the centre of our school development work. We work hard to ensure that all girls' education enables our students to develop confidence, leadership skills and high levels of aspiration.

We are committed to continuous professional development and have wide-ranging training and development opportunities. We are also mindful of the competing demands people face in their lives and make every effort to accommodate flexible working.

Summer 2026GCSE results were superb with 86% of all students achieving 4+ in English andMaths, and 71% doing the same at 5+. Results at A level in the mixedsixth form shared with our partner school, St Birinus School, are alsoextremely strong with 37% of grades awarded as A* or A and 65% achieving GradesA*-B. These results place us as one of the highest performing schools in thecounty.

Employing great staff is key to the success of our school: the Headteacheris actively involved in every interview process.

We understand that valuing and developing our staff is the best way to release and realise their potential. In return, we seek staff who are passionate about working with young people, resilient, and with a truly growth mindset. If this is you, we look forward to hearing from you!

Didcot Girls' School is a Family Friendly School, committed to supporting our staff so that they can carve out a professional and personal life that is fulfilling and balanced.

RET - Ridgeway EducationTrust

As a member of Ridgeway Education Trust, Didcot Girls' School (Ofsted Outstanding November 2022) works in close partnership with St Birinus School (Ofsted Good, February 2025). The two schools share a 400 strong mixed Didcot Sixth Form (Ofsted Outstanding, November 2022) which is based predominantly at St Birinus.

Application process:

The school reserves the right to interview on receipt of applications and to appoint prior to the published deadline, so early application is recommended.

Ridgeway Education Trust is committed to safeguarding, equality and promoting the welfare of children and expects staff working in all its schools to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to satisfactory enhanced DBS, references and pre-employment safeguarding checks. All Leadership roles will require a Section 128 check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining a post. All cases are considered confidentially and according to the nature of the role and information disclosed.

To view our Safeguarding policy, please visit our website: https://www.didcotgirls.oxon.sch.uk/265/school-policies

Please be aware that you will be required to bring your original degree certificate, proof of residence and photographic ID, as applicable, to interview and online searches may be made for shortlisted candidates, as part of due diligence checks.

Didcot Girls' School is a Family Friendly School, committed to supporting our staff so that they can carve out a professional and personal life that is fulfilling and balanced.

Our RET Staff Charter summarises the commitment we make to all staff who join and work at Ridgeway Education Trust.

We are committed to expressing our values of high-quality learning, respectful relationships and an inclusive environment in the day-to-day experience of staff and students throughout the school.

Didot Girls' School is an equal opportunities employer.