Head of MFL
Cottenham Village College, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB24 8UA6 days remaining to apply
Closing date
17 May 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
7 May 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £33,235.00 - £52,064.00 Annually (Actual) Plus TLR 2D £5,885
Head of MFL job summary
Head of Modern Foreign Languages (MFL)
Cottenham Village College
Salary: MPS/UPS + TLR 2D
Contract: Full Time, Permanent
Start Date: September 2026
Closing Date: 17th May 2026
Cottenham Village College is a vibrant and high-performing secondary school located just north of Cambridge, committed to delivering a broad, knowledge-rich curriculum that empowers students to think critically, challenge ideas, and engage meaningfully with the world around them. The college prides itself on combining strong academic outcomes with exceptional pastoral care and a wide range of extracurricular opportunities, ensuring every student develops both academically and personally. With consistently strong GCSE performance placing the school amongst the top 20% nationally for pupil progress, Cottenham offers a supportive, ambitious environment where staff are highly valued and supported through excellent professional development programmes.
About the RoleWe are seeking an ambitious, passionate, and dedicated Head of MFL to lead and develop our Modern Foreign Languages department. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced teacher or aspiring middle leader to take the next step in their career and have a significant impact on curriculum, teaching, and student outcomes.
Key Responsibilities- Lead, manage, and develop the MFL department, ensuring high-quality teaching and learning across all key stages
- Drive improvements in student attainment and progress within MFL through effective monitoring and intervention
- Design and implement a knowledge-rich curriculum that inspires and challenges all pupils
- Lead and support staff within the department, including coaching, development, and performance management
- Oversee curriculum planning, assessment, and feedback strategies across the department
- Manage the day-to-day running of the department, including staffing, resources, and timetabling
- Monitor student progress and implement targeted strategies to secure strong outcomes
- Contribute to whole-school improvement priorities and strategic planning
- A highly effective and enthusiastic teacher of MFL with a strong track record of success
- Experience of leading or contributing to curriculum development and raising standards
- The ability to inspire, motivate, and develop both students and colleagues
- Strong organisational and leadership skills with the ability to manage competing priorities
- A commitment to high expectations, inclusion, and achieving the best outcomes for all learners
- A collaborative approach, with a desire to contribute to the wider life of the school
- A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
- A high-achieving and supportive school environment
- Access to high-quality professional development and leadership opportunities
- A collaborative and dedicated staff team
- Workload Reduction & Supportive Working Environment
- The opportunity to make a significant impact on student outcomes and departmental success
Commitment to Safeguarding and EDI:
Astrea Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to satisfactory background checks, including references and an enhanced DBS check. We value diversity and welcome applications from underrepresented groups. As a Disability Confident employer, we provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to ensure all candidates can fully demonstrate their abilities.
In line with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 and the statutory Code of Practice, the Trust requires all public-facing post holders to demonstrate fluent English. Within a school setting, this applies to all roles that involve direct or indirect interaction with pupils, parents, or members of the public.
Flexible Interview Dates:
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, so don't miss out on this exciting opportunity. Please note that interview dates are flexible, and the academy reserves the right to interview shortlisted candidates during the application window.
Ready to Make a Difference?
If you're ready to take the next step in your career and contribute to our dynamic and forward-thinking team, apply today and be a part of our mission to create a positive impact!
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Astrea Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and staff. Every child should feel safe and should be protected from any form of child abuse. We have robust policies and procedures that support our commitment to Safeguarding, this includes our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy. The in-house Safeguarding teams at each Academy work in partnership with families and safeguarding partners to ensure the safety of children is paramount. We are committed to ensuring that all staff access regular, contextual safeguarding training to meet the needs of the local community.
Applying for the job
This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Cottenham Village College
- School type
- Academies, ages 11 to 16
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 877 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Cottenham Village College website
Welcome to Cottenham Village College, part of the Astrea Academy Trust, a highly-successful 11-16 mixed academy situated close to the beautiful city of Cambridge; here you will find hard-working, well-behaved students and friendly, dedicated staff who are committed to a fully inclusive, comprehensive education.
The college was established in 1963, one of several village colleges in the region that were the inspiration of educational pioneer Henry Morris, who believed that the school should be at the heart of its community and that education should be a lifelong process. This vision of a school that serves and involves its whole community, that fosters high aspirations and inspires a love of learning is as central to our ethos today as it was when it opened.
Through a highly-ambitious curriculum at CVC, we aim to foster students’ curiosity, unlock their potential and raise their aspirations, as well as ensure that students achieve high levels of attainment that will open doors for their future. A stimulating and broad curriculum also places students in a strong position to question and debate the world around them, making them intellectually resilient and prepares them for citizenship in a democratic society. We believe this is a right of all students and one which is liberating and empowering.
We are equally proud of the wider curricular provision at CVC, both in formal lessons and outside the classroom. Our extensive range of extra-curricular activities, including sports, music, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme and residential trips, help to give all students a fully-rounded education and creates opportunity for their personal, as well as their academic, growth.
Cottenham Village College is a friendly, positive and exciting place to work and to learn and we take great pride in the high standards our students consistently achieve. We have very high expectations of all members of the College community and provide an inclusive, friendly and supportive environment in which everyone can thrive and achieve. Students leave as happy, well-qualified and well-motivated individuals who go on to excel in local sixth forms, colleges, universities and the wider world.
I hope you find the information on the school’s website useful. If there is anything you cannot find, please do not hesitate to contact us. If you wish to visit the school to see it for yourself, please contact the school and we would be delighted to show you around.
Zoe Andrews, Principal
School location
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