Head of Modern Foreign Languages
Rainhill High School, Prescot, Merseyside, L35 6NY12 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
19 May 2026 at 9am
Date listed
7 May 2026
Job details
Job role
- Head of department or curriculum
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
Subjects
- French, German, Languages, Media studies, Spanish
Working pattern
- Full time: 32.5 hrs per week
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £32,916 to £51,048
Pay scale
- Main pay range 1 to Upper pay range 3
Additional allowances
TLR1B £12,515 pa
What skills and experience we're looking for
Are you a visionary linguist with a passion for driving academic excellence and ensuring every child has a place to belong? Rainhill High School is seeking an inspirational Head of Modern Foreign Languages to lead our high performing department.
We place Modern Languages at the very heart of our curriculum. We aren't just teaching a language; we are building global communicators. With a rich calendar of international exchanges and visits, this role offers a unique platform to shape a flagship department within our Trust.
As a Leader who ideally has a Spanish specialism, you will want to make a difference and must be able to lead a committed and inspiring team of professionals. You will always be looking for ways to make learning as engaging as possible for pupils, whilst supporting them to progress to their full potential. You will have a proven track record of improvement as an inspirational and experienced practitioner securing outcomes across the key stages and some existing leadership experience.
We are looking for a strategic leader who can:
- Champion Spanish Excellence: Oversee a rigorous, creative curriculum that reflects our specialisms while supporting other languages French/German.
- Inspire Staff: Lead, mentor, and develop a team of passionate linguists
- Drive Outcomes: Maintain our track record of exceptional progress and attainment across all key stages.
- Expand Horizons: Enhance our extra-curricular offer
The successful candidate will be:
- An outstanding classroom practitioner with a proven track record of teaching Spanish to Key Stage 5.
- A leader who can motivate students of all abilities to see the value of a second language.
- Data-literate and capable of using assessment to drive departmental intervention.
- Fluency in Spanish is essential; a working knowledge of a second language is highly desirable.
If you believe you have the skills and dedication to meet our standards, and be part of our pursuit of excellence, then we are the school for you.
Leadership and Management
1. Ensure a smooth transition in Modern Languages for all pupils from KS2 – KS3 so that pupils make good progress.
2. Ensure a high quality, well planned and sequenced curriculum is in place for all pupils.
3. Ensure that the curriculum is implemented highly effectively by all teachers.
4. Ensure that the impact of the curriculum and teaching leads to excellent progress by all pupils.
5. To ensure delivery of the schools approach to teaching and learning.
6. To ensure the curriculum is up to date and innovative from Key Stage 3 through to Key Stage 5.
7. To take a full and active part in the school’s quality assurance process.
8. To line manage the MFL Faculty teachers, including their Appraisal.
9. Provide high quality subject specific CPD for the MFL Faculty teachers.
10. Ensure appropriate learning environments for all pupils.
11. Ensure the appropriate use of resources.
12. Ensure the consistent implementation of school policies.
What the school offers its staff
Our school has a long and strong record of academic success. The destinations that our students move onto are strong. Our continued focus is on raising the aspirations, achievements and confidence of all our students to ensure they have the best life chances; that all of our students leave us ready to take on the world with conviction and self-assurance. We make no apologies for having the highest expectations of all our students.
Our curriculum is ambitious. Students are expected to work hard, and this is complemented by our excellent pastoral care, support and guidance. You will find the staff here are determined to support academic achievement but also provide a wide range of enrichment and extra-curricular activities both within and beyond the classroom, ranging from trips to New York to football teams in school; all of which are important in building the confidence, resilience and experiences of every child.
Our school’s mission is ‘In Pursuit of Excellence’ in everything that we do and our core values; Learn, Think, Contribute, Care, embody our determination to ensure that all our students receive a first-class education that enables them to take their place in society with confidence.
We are a popular and high achieving school on the edge of Merseyside with a very strong reputation locally and significantly oversubscribed.
Further information about the job
Teaching and Qualifications
Qualified Teacher Status /QTLS
Degree in related area
Recent Participation in Relevant In-Service Training
Leadership & Management
Experience of a middle leadership role
Experience of carrying out quality assurance (QA)
Experience of leading CPD
Proven track record of outstanding teaching across all key stages
The capacity for sustained hard work and resilience
The ability to motivate and inspire others
The ability to work with a range of stakeholders
Professional knowledge and understanding
Subject National Curriculum – All Key Stages
Assessment
Teaching and Learning Strategies
Ability to Teach Subject to GCSE
Ability to Teach Subject to A-Level
Willingness to assist in delivery of extracurricular activities
An awareness of safeguarding children issues
Near native fluency in Spanish (written & spoken) and a second language (French/German)
Personal Skills and Attributes
Ability to understand and demonstrate commitment to equality and diversity
High Level of Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Personal Motivation
Ability to Motivate Students
Excellent Organisation and Administration Skills
Excellent ICT Skills
Work as Part of a Team
Commitment to safeguarding
Rainhill High School and Sixth Form is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people as well as promoting equality of opportunity and community cohesion; where the diversity of different backgrounds and circumstances is appreciated and positively valued and expects all staff, volunteers and other workers to share in this commitment.
This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosing & Barring Certificate and online searches as part of our Safer Recruitment & Selection Procedures.
Applying for the job
This job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Rainhill High School
- School type
- Academies, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1810 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Rainhill High School website
- Email address
- jobs@rainhillhigh.org.uk
- Phone number
- 01744677205
11-18 Mixed Academy 1534 on roll Rainhill High School is a co-educational secondary school and sixth form centre located in Rainhill, Merseyside, England. The school converted to an academy under Rainhill Learning Village in March 2017. More recently, the school has become part of the Stephenson MAT and was graded as ‘Good’ by Ofsted in February 2023. The Academy is working hard to make a difference to staff workloads by investing time, technology, and support to make Rainhill High School and Rainhill Sixth an attractive place to work. Our vision is one of excellence for everyone, pupils and staff. We believe that by working together we can make a positive difference to children’s lives. Stephenson Trust is currently a single school in a multi academy trust. We have several external partners, including Hope University, Ambition Institute, SSAT, Rainbow teaching school hub and the educational endowment fund. We are now seeking to expand in the next couple of years with those who share our desire to provide an excellent education
Arranging a visit to Rainhill High School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email jobs@rainhillhigh.org.uk.
School location
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