Head of Modern Foreign Languages (MFL)
Wayland Academy, Thetford, Norfolk, IP25 6BA26 days remaining to apply
Start date details
September 2026
Closing date
13 April 2026 at 1am
Date listed
18 March 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Subject
- Languages
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- Salary: Qualified Teachers Pay Scales: Main Pay Scale (MPS) to Upper Pay Scale (UPS) and TLR2 of £6700 per annum
Head of Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) job summary
Salary: Qualified Teachers Pay Scales: Main Pay Scale (MPS) to Upper Pay Scale (UPS) and TLR2 of £6,700 per annum
Start Date: September 2026
Wayland Academy is seeking to appoint an outstanding Head of Department for Modern Foreign Languages.
We are looking for an exceptional classroom practitioner with a proven track record of excellence outcomes and someone who has had a clear impact at a subject level. The successful candidate will demonstrate the drive and commitment to go above and beyond for our pupils to ensure the succeed. In this role, you will be able to engage with our raising achievement strategy to ensure MFL outcomes at the school are significantly better than national benchmarks.
This key role will give you the opportunity to collaborate with senior leaders and the subject team on curriculum approaches, embedding effective pedagogical approaches and driving standards in MFL. Through collaboration with the wider Inspiration Trust MFL team, you will ensure the delivery of our exceptional knowledge rich curriculum.
What You’ll Be Doing
- To have a clear vision for MFL teaching across the school.
- To be a role model to the department and beyond.
- Align classroom practices with the school’s improvement plan and national standards.
- Lead initiatives that promote innovative and evidence-based teaching strategies.
- To lead on the development of new ways of thinking about the curriculum and teaching and learning to develop pupil mastery in the subject.
- Curriculum planning, sequencing, and assessment to maximise pupil progress.
- Maintain professional conduct and actively engage in performance management and professional development activities.
- Conduct lesson observations, learning walks, and work scrutiny to quality assure the subject area.
- Design and deliver CPD within department meetings.
- Collaborate effectively with colleagues and the Senior Leadership Team.
- Promote and uphold the Trust and Academy’s ethos, policies, procedures, and Health & Safety standards.
- Teach the curriculum, prepare pupils for examinations, and provide additional support such as interventions and revision sessions which will include Saturdays and school holidays.
- Plan collaboratively, set homework, adapt teaching for SEND/EAL pupils, and maintain high standards of pupil work.
About You
You will be a leader who shares our belief that all pupils have the right to succeed and have access to the absolute best education. The successful candidate must have a commitment to changing lives and outcomes for young people. You should come with an existing track record of effectiveness but be keen to develop further as a member of the wider leadership team.
Essential:
- An appropriate degree and other qualifications required for the award of QTS.
- Qualified Teacher Status
- Successful subject experience as a teacher and manager in education in a secondary school.
- Successful involvement in performance management, self-evaluation process and data analysis as an aid in personal and team improvement, development and change.
- Proven practice in leading, motivating and supporting staff to achieve ambitious standards.
- Knowledge of the statutory requirements concerning Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety, SEND and Child Protection.
- Ability to communicate effectively and build positive relationships with pupils, parents, colleagues, and the wider community.
- Knowledge and understanding of the subject to at least undergraduate degree level and different teaching approaches.
- Experience of teaching the subject in a secondary school across the 11-16 age range.
Desirable:
- Other relevant qualifications in the sector (e.g. NPQLT, MEd, etc.).
- Existing curriculum or pastoral leadership experience (e.g. second in department).
- Experience examining the subject for an appropriate exam board.
- Experience mentoring and coaching trainee and early-career teachers.
Why Join Inspiration Trust
At Inspiration Trust, we believe in the power of education to transform lives. You’ll be joining a supportive, forward-thinking organisation that values professional development, collaboration, and innovation. We provide opportunities for growth and empower you to make a real impact in schools across Norfolk and north Suffolk. As part of our thriving network of talented teachers, leaders, and support staff, you’ll receive a varied professional development programme designed to help you be the best you can be.
We offer:
- Generous annual leave, and access to the Teachers' Pension Schemes (TPS) with excellent employer contributions
- Health Plan and Employee Assistance Programme, including 24/7 virtual GP access, mental health support and claim-back options for healthcare costs *
- Cycle-to-work scheme, retail and theatre discounts (including discounted shopping vouchers, dentist and gym memberships), and salary sacrifice options (including home technology). *
- Free parking at most sites
- Personalised CPD and development programmes
- A structured and specific induction programme.
* Terms and conditions apply. Some benefits are only available following successfully passing probation.
About Us
Wayland Academy is an oversubscribed, high-performing secondary school at the heart of Norfolk, known for its positive atmosphere and low staff turnover. In 2025, 64% of students achieved grades 9-5 in English and Mathematics, and the school achieved a Progress 8 score of +0.61 in 2024, positioning it among the highest-performing secondary schools in Norfolk and Suffolk.
At Wayland Academy, staff believe that every student is entitled to the highest-quality education, unlocking their potential for excellent grades and a future of their choice. Our curriculum vision reflects the Academy’s role in the community, promotes understanding and enrichment, and prioritises students’ reading, vocabulary, and fluency in both spoken and written language. We take both learning and pastoral care seriously, ensuring that our students leave confident, capable, and ready to thrive in the wider world.
We are part of the Inspiration Trust, twice ranked as the country’s top family of comprehensive schools for pupil progress, and strongly believe in the importance of giving the widest educational opportunities to all young people, regardless of their background. We have strong networks across the Trust, with opportunities to work with a diverse range of schools and partners. We are committed to offering excellent professional and learning opportunities for our staff, with a busy programme of continuing professional development courses delivered by some of the country’s best educational thinkers and practitioners.
The Inspiration Trust is a Multi Academy Trust, committed to delivering the very best educational experience for the young people of Norfolk and Suffolk, across 17 schools. We are ambitious for our schools and communities and want to create Britain’s highest performing federation of 3-19 schools and transform education in the East. Inspiration Trust specialises in transforming schools in disadvantaged areas and taking academies from failing to outstanding.
For information on what it is like to live and work in Watton, click here. The most recent Ofsted inspection in July 2023 gave Wayland Academy an overall grade of ‘Good'. “School and Trust leaders form a strong and cohesive team which has driven, and continues to secure, school improvement.”
Next Steps
Before applying, please read the attached Recruitment Pack and Job Description, for more details about the role. We ask that you read this pack carefully, especially the “Planning your application” section from page 11. This will support your application ensuring you have the opportunity to tell us about your relevant skills, experience and qualifications that relate to the job description and person specification in addition to details of your references covering the last 5 years.
If you would like to know more about this exciting opportunity, then please contact Julie Amys, PA to Principal (JulieAmys@inspirationtrust.org).
To apply for this role please click the Apply button to complete the online application form.
When you start your application, you will receive several emails from our application provider, Vacancy Filler. Please be aware that some email providers may mistakenly mark these messages as spam. To avoid missing important updates, we recommend checking your spam or junk folders regularly throughout the application process and marking these emails as safe.
Closing date for applications: 9am on Monday 13th April 2026
Interview date: Tuesday 21st April 2026
Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities
Inspiration Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
All staff appointments are subject to satisfactory references and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks. We are an equal opportunities employer.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
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 Wayland Academy
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 16
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 548 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Wayland Academy website
School location
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