Curriculum Leader for Modern Foreign Languages
St Benedict's Catholic School, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP32 6RH13 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2025
Closing date
25 March 2025 at 9am
Date listed
11 March 2025
Job details
Job role
- Head of year or phase
- Head of department or curriculum
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 4, Key stage 5
Subjects
- French, Languages, Spanish
Working pattern
- Full time, part time: Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- L5-L8
What skills and experience we're looking for
We are seeking to appoint an highly motivated and enthusiastic colleague to lead this critical department from the start of the autumn term 2025.
Languages play a significant part in our curriculum and we currently offer French and Spanish at KS3, 4 and 5. The overwhelming majority of our students take a language GCSE and alongside these languages many of our students sit examinations in languages that they speak at home. Our GCSE and A level performance in French and Spanish are both consistently strong and languages are popular subjects at both levels. Over 25% of our students speak English as an additional language and this diversity is reflected throughout our approach in the school and our passion for shared cultural experiences and celebration. The ideal candidate will be passionate about languages and culture, committed to raising standards by inspiring and motivating pupils, working alongside and leading a team of colleagues. The successful candidate will be qualified to teach their subject across the age range of the school and have experience teaching at both GCSE and A level in French and/or Spanish. This post is on the leadership pay spine and this reflects the wider responsibility and focus on internationalism and global links.
This post would be suitable for an experienced colleague who has either led a small department or is keen to progress from their current role into leadership.
What the school offers its staff
Our school is committed to our mission as a Catholic community and seeks to help all our young people achieve their potential both academically and personally. We can offer a positive environment where you will be encouraged to progress further in your career should you wish, supported by a team of staff who are hardworking and dedicated to the school.
Our Ofsted 2022 report states:
St Benedict’s Catholic School continues to be a good school.
It goes on to say:
Pupils say that their school is a happy place where they feel safe and accepted. They know that their teachers look after them and provide them with the support they need.
Pupils demonstrate very positive attitudes to their work. It is important for them to be the best they can be. They are also respectful, kind and compassionate towards each other, their teachers and visitors to the school. Older students are mature and self-assured, and support younger pupils in and out of the classroom.
Pupils interact well with each other and with their teachers. They help each other in class. They listen carefully and appreciate others’ hard work. Instances of low-level disruption are very rare. Bullying hardly exists. Should it happen, it is dealt with swiftly.
Pupils flourish as a result of the school’s powerful caring ethos. Pupils are open minded and confident. They embrace diversity, respect difference and understand other world religions. Pupils say, ‘It is a school where it is okay to be different.’
Please full report for more details.
Our Section 48 Diocesan Inspection of the religious character of the school June/ July 2022 judged the school to be Outstanding.
Our school is committed to our mission as a Catholic community and seeks to help all our young people achieve their potential both academically and personally.
Commitment to safeguarding
St Benedict's is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance check. The school reserves the right to research shortlisted candidates on social media platforms and the internet, and the recruitment panel may take this information into consideration during the recruitment process.
Applying for the job
Please complete the online application.
CVs are not accepted.
Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About St Benedict's Catholic School
- School type
- Academy, Roman Catholic, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary
- School size
- 976 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- St Benedict's Catholic School website
- Email address
- sbuchan@st-benedicts.suffolk.sch.uk
- Phone number
- 01284 753512
St Benedict's is a mixed Catholic comprehensive secondary school in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The school currently has c970 students aged 11-18. Our pupils come from a wide geographical range across West Suffolk, extending into Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex. Around 60% of our students describe themselves as Catholic. In September 2022 the school became an Academy and joined Our Lady of Walsingham Catholic Trust.
Arranging a visit to St Benedict's Catholic School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email sbuchan@st-benedicts.suffolk.sch.uk.
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