EXPIRED

This job expired on 3 October 2022 – see similar jobs

  • Job start date

    3 January 2023

  • Closing date

    3 October 2022 at 9am

  • Date listed

    22 September 2022

Job details

Visa sponsorship

Visas cannot be sponsored

Key stage

Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5

Working pattern

Contract type

Maternity or parental leave cover - 12 months

Pay scale

MS1-UPS3

English Teacher (maternity cover) job summary

DGS English Department

  • The English Department is staffed by a dynamic, talented and extremely supportive group of 15 teaching staff. The department is accommodated in specialist rooms with whiteboards, projectors and visualizers as well as a team room and work area.

Curriculum

  • As of September 2018, the English Department introduced a KS3 ‘mastery’ curriculum, which has been developed to provide the foundations from which to develop excellent students of English. This curriculum includes a highly coherent model for skills progression, explicit first teaching of key English concepts, and a rigorous model for assessment. It has been conceived to prepare students for the challenges of GCSEs, whilst maintaining a balanced, culturally rich experience of English. Most importantly, it has been created by a team of practising teachers who are committed to a process of iterative refinement.
  • In Years 10 and 11, students follow the AQA specifications for English Language and English Literature. English Literature is a very popular option in the joint Sixth Form; we offer AQA’s Specification A for Literature. In September 2017, we introduced the AQA Specification A Language and Literature course, which has quickly become a popular and successful A level option.
  • The English Department has a close working relationship with the vibrant and growing Media department. There are two Media units in the KS3 curriculum and there are currently two Media groups per cohort at GCSE. We also introduced Media at A-Level in September 2018, which has proved a popular choice.

Outcomes

  • Results at all levels are very strong. In 2022, 96% of students achieved at least one grade 4 or above in English Language or Literature, 87% of students achieved at least one grade 5 or above and 56% achieved at least one grade 7 or above. In comparison to national statistics for girls’ achievement, students at DGS achieve, on average, at least 10% better nationally, from a truly comprehensive intake. A level English Literature, and Language and Literature, is very popular. Results are strong, with many students opting to study English at university and a significant proportion of students receiving top grades (58% in English Literature, 25% in English Language and Literature).
  • Extra-Curricular Activities The school has a strong culture of Reading for Pleasure. There are fortnightly Reading for Pleasure lessons in the Library for Years 7 and 8, regular visits from authors, a strong team of Reading Ambassadors, engagement with local and national book awards. The school is fortunate in having author Mary Stevens as Patron of Reading. There are regular theatre trips across all year groups, and regular university visits for KS5 students. The department runs successful catch-up provision for KS3 and KS4 students, which includes reading mentoring programmes, run by older students, for struggling or reluctant readers at KS3.
The Post

  • This is a key post in a dynamic and strong department. We are looking for someone with a genuine and infectious passion for their subject, who will enthuse and engage the students they teach; someone with high expectations for all students whatever their prior attainment.
  • We welcome applications from experienced teachers as well as those new to the profession and currently in training.

Commitment to safeguarding

Didcot Girls School is committed to safeguarding 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 an enhanced DBS check along with standard pre-employment safeguarding checks.

Please be aware that you will be required to bring your original qualification certificate(s), proof of residence and photographic ID to interview.

Didcot Girls School is an equal opportunities employer.

This job post has expired.

About Didcot Girls' School

School type
Academy, ages 11 to 18
Education phase
View all Secondaryjobs
School size
1614 pupils enrolled
Age range
11 to 18

Didcot Girls’ School is a dynamic school. In December 2015, the school was judged to be Outstanding. As Ofsted recognised, we invest in all of our staff: ‘Staff have exceptional opportunities for professional development. Staff feel valued and really like working in the school. Morale is very high.'(Ofsted).

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.

Summer 2022 GCSE results were superb with 88% of all students achieving 4+ in English and Maths, and 72% doing the same at 5+. Results at A level in the mixed sixth form shared with our partner school, St Birinus School, are also extremely strong with 44% of grades awarded as A* or A and 68% achieving Grades A*-B. These results place us as one of the highest performing schools in the county.

Arranging a visit to Didcot Girls' School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email vacancy@didcotgirls.oxon.sch.uk.

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