Teacher of English
- Job title: Teacher of English
- Job Type: Full time, permanent
- Salary: £37,343 - £62,975 per annum
- Department: English Department
- Reporting to: Head of English
- Location: Highgate, North London
- Start: September 2024
- Closing Date: 29 February 2024 at 8:00 am
An enthusiastic and ambitious Teacher of English is required for this academically selective, coeducational North London day school. This position would suit an experienced teacher, or an English Literature graduate who is looking to gain initial classroom experience; Highgate welcomes applications from candidates without formal teaching qualifications.
The Department
Highgate has a long and distinguished literary tradition: the poets Nicholas Rowe (Laureate 1715-18) and Gerard Manley Hopkins were educated here, and John Betjeman was taught by T.S. Eliot in 1915. We seek to emulate them by continuing to cultivate creativity and literary scholarship.
All pupils at Highgate study English Language IGCSE (CAIE 9-1) and English Literature IGCSE (CAIE 9-1). Around 30 to 40 pupils each year prepare for English Literature A Level (Eduqas).
Alongside our emphasis on lexical elegance, knowledge of big canonical texts, creativity and innovation, we teach a wide range of authors from diverse backgrounds, and the best of contemporary writing. Reading culture is at the heart of our curriculum and one of the school’s key aims is to embed this reading culture across every subject and all aspects of school life. In addition, there is a strong focus on creative writing, with the publication of the termly Windhover magazine. Members of our department also run or help to run Pride Society, the Environment Committee, Jewish Circle, Equality Society, Junior English Society, Hopkins (Senior English) Society, Taskmaster Society, Debating Society and Warhammer Society.
Teachers in the Department also play a prominent role in some of the partnership programmes with local schools. Meanwhile, we oversee a range of cultural events within the school including the annual Lyttelton Competition for the declamation of poetry, which attracts a large entry and diverse offerings from all age groups. English colleagues have worked with the autonomous Drama Department, including assisting with productions at the Finchley Arts Depot. The department also runs an annual Partnership CPD Conference Day at which both members of our department and English teachers from local schools take part in training led by the Globe and the EMC. English Literature academics from prestigious universities regularly attend Highgate to speak to our pupils, and we have a programme of visiting author talks; in recent years these have included Jeanette Winterson, Alan Hollinghurst and Katherine Rundell. We take our pupils on frequent trips to the theatre and run an annual trip to Stratford-upon-Avon.
Highgate School seeks to appoint teachers who will have, in addition to the professional qualities outlined below, the following proven personal qualities, or the potential to develop them. At interview, candidates will have the opportunity to demonstrate or give an account of these attributes.
- Profound and continuing interest in the academic subject/s to be taught.
- The depth of knowledge and agility of mind to allow flexibility in lessons, adapting delivery as appropriate in the light of pupils’ responses.
- Empathy with pupils across the age and ability spectrum at Highgate and the ability to implement a range of teaching strategies to cater for each individual pupil.
- Capacity to deal sensitively with problems raised by pupils, in line with Highgate’s pastoral policies and sanctions system, working in partnership with Highgate’s designated staff i/c pastoral care.
- Ability to create effective rapport and a sound relationship with pupils, earning their respect and trust but maintaining proper professional boundaries by not deliberately courting popularity or friendship.
- Dynamism and enthusiasm to contribute broadly to the life of a busy co- educational independent day school.
- Willingness to contribute to the extensive range of activities provided for pupils and to support them in their co-curricular pursuits.
- Capacity for industry and initiative in both independent work and as part of teams of colleagues in academic work, pastoral care, sports and co-curricular activities.
- Awareness and understanding of matters relating to the personal, social, health and emotional development of pupils.
- Willingness and ability to liaise effectively and professionally between pupils, staff and parents when required, making accurate records of these exchanges.
- Patience and thoughtfulness to see any issues that may arise with pupils, parents or colleagues from a variety of perspectives.
- The ability to defuse difficult situations using different strategies such as careful listening, sensitive use of humour, praise and recognition where due, utilising the School’s reward system.
- Retention of a sense of perspective and, on occasion, the invaluable ability to laugh at oneself.
- Criteria
- How will these be tested or verified?
- A good honours degree in a related subject
- Original degree certificate(s)
- Questions about subject specialisation (and course content for more recent graduates)
- Opportunities at interview to discuss techniques for teaching set topics
- Excellent communication skills
- Two panel interviews
- A taught lesson
- The ability to use ICT fully in the teaching of English, or a willingness to learn the skills
- Observed in the lesson
- Opportunities to recount experience and expertise at interview
- The ability to establish good relations with colleagues and pupils
- Opportunities at interview to recount experiences where these skills have been demonstrated
- Questions which referees will be
- Asked as part of the confidential reference request
- Sympathy with and knowledge of fundamental British values
- Questions at interview to test this
- Awareness and understanding of safeguarding and welfare of children
- Questions at interview to test attitudes towards and knowledge of children’s safeguarding and welfare
- Questions which referees will be asked as part of the confidential
- Reference request
- Criteria
- How will these be tested or verified?
- Experience of teaching academic lessons, either as an employed teacher or during a teaching placement, and an understanding of effective assessment
- A 50-minute lesson to be taught
- Potentially, the opportunity to comment on and grade pupils’ written work
- A teaching qualification (eg PGCE, GTP)
- Original certificate
- Experience of teaching successfully in an academically selective school
- Opportunities at interview to recount experiences
- Knowledge of, and experience of, teaching English at GCSE and at A Level
- Opportunities at interview to recount experience of teaching and of successful strategies used in teaching these topics
- A willingness to be involved in the wider life of the department (e.g. English visits)
- Opportunities at interview to recount experience of running or participating in such activities or to give ideas for these
Benefits
Support | A welcoming, comfortable and exceptionally well-resourced environment with significant assistance from a range of support staff.
Pension | The School pays the employer’s contribution to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.
Professional development | Comprehensive induction. Focus on continued learning and development for all employees.
Holidays | Terms are shorter than in the maintained sector.
Location | Highgate Village, adjacent to Hampstead Heath, with quaint shops and easy connections across London.
Facilities | Free access, at stipulated times, to our sports facilities, including a fitness suite and new swimming pool. Staff can borrow from 1,700 books held in the Sir Martin Gilbert Library.
Lunch | Free tea and coffee A complimentary lunch including hot meals, sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit and dessert.
Sustainable travel | Access to the Cycle to Work Scheme and a Season Ticket Loan scheme for public transport.
Flexible working | Flexibility for parents, enhanced maternity pay and paid dependant leave.
Working at Highgate
A culture of community, kindness and belonging
Highgate is a caring, open-minded community, where we promote kindness, empathy and friendship. Everyone who works and studies with us deserves to feel they are part of a welcoming environment that enables them to be themselves and to thrive as individuals.
Our community extends beyond the school, through partnerships, charity work and our commitment to equality, inclusion and sustainability. All members of our school community are encouraged to look outwards and play an active role.
In a recent ISI inspection (Dec 2021), it was noted that “Pupils show exceptional respect for, and appreciate diversity within the school and wider community, and their own and other cultures, demonstrating sensitivity and tolerance to those from different backgrounds and traditions.”
Staff wellbeing
Highgate is committed to staff wellbeing, which we promote by encouraging a strong work-life balance; trying our best to support flexible working requests; providing a nutritious complimentary lunch in the dining hall; and offering access to sporting facilities including our recently renovated swimming pool.
The Staff Wellbeing Committee, with representatives across the School, meets regularly to drive forward initiatives, and a selection of staff have been trained as Mental-Health First Aiders.
We encourage an open culture throughout our school, with regular staff surveys, action committees and opportunities to feedback. We strive for continual learning and improvement, and staff training and development is paramount. There are opportunities to participate in the wider life of our school, such as taking part in trips or societies and getting involved in partnership projects.
More details about working at Highgate can be found here:
Charitable work and sustainability
As an independent school, we want to use our position as a charity effectively: to make high-quality education accessible to as many children as possible – through our bursary programme at Highgate and through our work with local state schools. We have partnerships with over 60 state schools across 7 London boroughs, and we are the principal educational sponsor for London Academy of Excellence, Tottenham – an academically-selective state sixth form in a community where such opportunities are lacking.
Alongside this, our staff and pupils undertake charitable activities throughout the year. These range from staff giving up their time to neighbourhood schools and charitable organisations, focused fundraising campaigns, to pupils undertaking community work in the local area or further afield.
As a school, we have a central role to play in educating our pupils, staff and parents about the importance of environmental sustainability. We are taking positive action to adapt our operational performance to tackle the negative effects of climate change. We encourage all our staff to reflect upon their personal and professional practices, to support our environmental agenda and to make positive changes wherever possible.
Application procedure
- Closing Date: 29th February 2024
- Timing of interviews: W/c 4th March
Contact: James Newton, Deputy Head (Academic) or Odette Orlans and Roland Powell, Heads of English, are happy to answer any questions about this post.
Early Application: Applications will be considered ‘as and when’ received and we may close the vacancy if we appoint before the closing date.
Apply hereInclusion
We know that more diverse teams are stronger teams, and that the more inclusive we are, the more our staff and pupils will feel a sense of belonging and will thrive. To enable us to make reasonable adjustments, please let us know of any disabilities (including neuro-divergence) when you submit your application.
Safeguarding
As this role will have regular unsupervised contact with children you must, if appointed, comply with Highgate’s Safeguarding Policy and Staff Code of Conduct. If, in the course of carrying out the duties of the post, the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety and welfare of our pupils, these concerns must be reported immediately in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy. If, while in the post, Highgate becomes aware of any safeguarding concerns to staff, pupils or the community, these will need to be followed up in line with the safeguarding policy and code of conduct which is underpinned by KCSE and other legislation. These concerns may need to be shared with other agencies. A copy of these policies will accompany all offers of employment. Training will also be provided to all staff to support Safeguarding practice.
Please read before you apply
Highgate is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service and overseas police check if necessary. Candidates from overseas must provide information about their past conduct, for example, by providing documents issued by overseas teaching authorities.
Please note that this role is ‘exempt’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore, you are required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that are not ‘protected’ (i.e. filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide details of all unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview.
In accordance with the latest guidance from KCSIE, we shall be conducting online searches on any candidates who are shortlisted.