Part-time Teacher of EFL/ESOL. Candidate Brief

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1 Part-time Teacher of EFL/ESOL Candidate Brief Mayfield School Mayfield is a vibrant, happy and successful independent Catholic boarding and day school for approximately 400 girls aged 11 to 18. Founded in 1872, the School is set within 75 acres of beautiful Sussex countryside, conveniently located just outside Royal Tunbridge Wells, within an hour of central London by train and with easy access to Gatwick and Heathrow airports. Mayfield is successful in unlocking and developing the unique potential and talent of each girl in an inspiring learning environment. Described by the Independent Schools Inspectorate as "outstanding" and by Country Life as "one of the finest schools in the land", a Mayfield education combines academic excellence, breadth of opportunity and exceptional pastoral care. The School enjoys excellent facilities, including an award-winning Sixth Form Centre; a specialist Science Centre; internationally renowned creative arts teaching and learning facilities; an indoor swimming pool; a Technology Suite and a first-class Equestrian Centre on campus. We have a proud reputation for high academic achievement, exceptional pastoral care and a wide range of high quality extra-curricular activities. School Ethos The vision of Mayfield s founder, Cornelia Connelly, to educate young women to respond to the needs of the age remains central to the School s education philosophy today. We are committed to helping each girl discover and develop her unique talents, to be herself and to make that self the best it can be. Our Catholic heritage, which remains fundamental to the life of the School and provides a moral and spiritual framework for daily life, encourages integrity, generosity, compassion and courage within an inclusive community, which welcomes all. The School s motto Actions Not Words is embodied in our voluntary service programme, which promotes a spirit of personal and social responsibility.

2 Mayfield s Aims and Objectives The School aims to achieve its vision by: Offering a wide range of opportunities to encourage equally the spiritual, intellectual, creative, physical and emotional development of each pupil Creating a distinctive environment in which the experience of living together enhances the lives of all pupils and staff Fostering a vibrant community for those of the Catholic and other faith traditions where worship is integral to the life of the School and each is encouraged to serve God and other people Providing a stimulating and creative curriculum that fosters academic excellence Enabling each member of the School community, resident or non-resident, actively to support and contribute to the shared values of the School Encouraging in each pupil a sense of achievement and the confidence to make a difference in a demanding and constantly changing world The School Mayfield encourages equally the intellectual, creative, physical, emotional and spiritual development of each pupil. Every girl is accepted for who she is and we instil in her the confidence to find her strengths and build on them. Whilst Maths and Science are amongst our most popular and successful subjects at A Level, we have a first class reputation for creativity and excel in the creative and performing arts. Academic study is complemented with a rich and diverse variety of activities beyond the classroom. With everything from dance to debating, drama to music and a full programme of sporting opportunities including cricket, fencing and top class equestrian facilities on campus, girls are challenged and supported to realise their full potential, thereby endowing them with a lifelong love of learning and the opportunity to grow as individuals. Mayfield girls progress to prestigious universities including Oxford and Cambridge, and increasingly to the US and Europe, to study a wide range of subjects. Just as important as academic success, girls leave Mayfield with enduring friendships, open minds, strength of character and the lifelong support of a global community. The values, skills, aspiration and resilience we nurture in the girls prepares them to respond to the opportunities and challenges of the 21 st century and to make a positive difference in the world. Teacher of EFL/ESOL We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic graduate to teach English as a Second Language as part of the curriculum to non-native speakers from Years 7 to 13, and to contribute to the ongoing development of the Department and the extra-curricular life of the school. We currently have about 60 girls, from a variety of backgrounds, requiring ESOL tuition in preparation for PET, FCE, CAE, Edexcel IGCSE and IELTS. They are a mixture of long term and one year pupils. The ESOL Department plays a key role in helping to integrate overseas girls and achieves consistently good results, with senior girls achieving an average IELTS score of 7.5. The position would suit an experienced practitioner with a Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language and young learner teaching experience, although applications from experienced DipTEFLA/DELTA or a CELTA qualified teachers, will also be welcome. Experience of the majority of the Cambridge suite of examinations is essential, and additional experience of teaching Edexcel IGCSE and/or IELTS is highly desirable. The ESOL Department The ESOL Department at Mayfield recognises and works to address the evolving English language needs of the current age. Our goal is to enable pupils to become strong independent learners, and for each girl to achieve the highest level of language she is capable of attaining, thereby ensuring that she is both able to study effectively in English and access the wider curriculum without disadvantage, and contribute generously to the life of the School. The Department is located in its own building, which comprises a suite of three classrooms. Virtually all ESOL teaching takes place here, providing a central hub for overseas students. The department teaches English as a Second or Other Language to girls with a range of abilities across all year groups. ESOL also plays an active role

3 within the rest of the school in the delivery of study skills to non-esol students and shares teaching advice and expertise with other subject teachers. ESOL staff act as Tutors, assist in boarding and offer enrichment and extracurricular activities across the whole school, such as Model United Nations. ESOL pupils in Years 7 to 11 receive four lessons per week in small ability groups of generally no more than eight pupils. Three of these lessons are language-based lessons, with one of literature. Years 12 and 13 receive up to five hours of formal English tuition each week. All girls are expected to achieve the required level of ability on entrance. However on occasion, one-to-one support may be necessary for is struggling students. All teaching is done in English, using a communicative method underpinned by the teaching of formal grammar. There is an emphasis on reading and writing to support academic skills in other subjects and every class is customised to the needs and interests of the particular girls. We strive to use authentic materials and to nurture knowledge and understanding of current affairs in a global context. Mayfield School is a Cambridge Examinations centre and girls progress through the range of the Cambridge main suite examinations. Edexcel IGCSE in English as a Second Language is offered to Years 10 and 11 while Year 13 girls are prepared for the IELTS examination for University entrance. Typical progression is outlined below: Year Average groups Stronger Groups 7 General English PET (B1) 8 PET (B1) Pre-FCE 9 Pre-FCE FCE (B2) 10 FCE (B2) IGCSE (B2)/Pre-CAE 11 IGCSE (B2)/Pre-CAE CAE (C1) 12 CAE (C1) IELTS (7.5 Average) 13 IELTS (7.5 Average) In addition, the ESOL Department aims to assist with the process of integration by encouraging it as a two way process throughout the School. This is done by the supporting of ESOL students in the communication sharing of their own cultural experiences to the rest of the School, as well as helping them to assimilate into the community through a better understanding of British culture and tradition. There is an expectation that overseas students participate fully in the life of the school; not just embracing the academic education on offer, but also supporting inter-house competitions, social events, boarding trips and extra-curricular clubs. As part of this, the ESOL Department runs and supports events including an ESOL dinner, an International Lunch, Chinese New Year festivities, an International Fair and participates in theatre trips with the English Department.

4 Mayfield School Teacher of ESOL/EFL Person Specification ATTRIBUTES ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE RELEVANT EXPERIENCE Minimum five years teaching ESOL to young people, with experience in a minimum of 4 of the following examinations: Cambridge PET and FCE for Schools, CAE, Edexcel IGCSE or IELTS Evidence of outstanding classroom practice utilising a variety of teaching and learning styles Proven ability to inspire and challenge the most able of students and understanding of the challenges for less able students and those with Special Educational Needs Oral or writing exam moderation experience Experience of materials development Teaching experience across the full age and ability range of the School Experience of teaching in a Secondary School environment QUALIFICATIONS Good Degree plus minimum RSA CELTA (Merit) or equivalent PGCE /DELTA or equivalent YL CELTA Extension KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS DISPOSITION INTERESTS Access to a range of practical strategies to motivate learners and raise achievement Good ICT skills Excellent literacy skills (written and spoken English) Ability to work under pressure and be flexible Outstanding communication skills Understanding of the difficulties girls have studying school subjects in a second language and of strategies to assist them. Knowledge of the specific learning needs of different nationality groups Creative Enthusiastic and motivated Able to think and act Independently Highly organised Committed to and interested in the wellbeing, support and achievement of girls Self-aware and reflective Good sense of humour and team player Willingness to contribute to the extra-curricular programme of the School Experience in the application of ICT skills to the learning and teaching of ESOL Demonstrable use of a variety of teaching and learning styles Awareness of new teaching developments both in Secondary education in general and in ESOL in particular Positive about innovation and change Able to take responsibility, use own initiative and work independently Intuitive and able to decipher nonverbal signals amongst pupils Ability to offer something extra to the School and its students to enhance the girls learning outside the classroom ETHOS Commitment to the Catholic ethos of the School Excited about teaching and working with young people Experience of working in a boarding environment and/or Catholic education

5 Expectations of Academic Staff at Mayfield School A Teacher at Mayfield School can expect to teach across the age range of Teaching staff are expected to work closely with their Head of Department to promote a holistic approach to education: supporting the education of the whole individual as well as being enthusiastic proponents of education for girls. In addition to the responsibilities outlined above, all Teachers at Mayfield are expected to: Prepare and deliver challenging and stimulating lessons Have a good degree in a relevant discipline and possess strong subject knowledge. Set high standards and encourage all pupils to achieve their full potential through an encouragement of independent learning and self-evaluation. Be expected to keep knowledge and skills as teachers up to date, through reflective practice and by regular attendance at suitable inset or training courses. Teach their subject successfully with expertise, enthusiasm and patience. Encourage creativity and be aspirational for every girl Promote good progress and outcomes for pupils Implement School policies and practices for marking, target setting and reporting, using this information to support on-going improvement. Communicate appropriately and effectively with parents, tutors or Heads of School on a pupil s development and progress. Have the ability and confidence to teach able students and support weaker girls. Fulfil wider professional responsibilities within academic departments Attend departmental meetings and play an active role in departmental discussion and curriculum development, including contributing to schemes of work within the Department. Participate in the setting and marking of internal and external examinations. Contribute and support departmental extra-curricular activities; including programmes designed to enrich a girl s education as well as weekly revision sessions and clinics. Seek to work constructively with colleagues in other departments to facilitate cross-curricular initiatives and sharing of good practice; recognising links and building on common skills. Attend staff meetings, parents consultations, open mornings, Prize Giving, and similar important School functions. Fulfil wider professional responsibilities within Mayfield School Actively support the Catholic, Holy Child ethos of the School and be familiar with and contribute to the Cornelian philosophy and principles. Be involved in the rich and broad education that develops the diverse talents of the girls equipping them for leadership and service; including taking part in the School s non-examined programmes such as Actions not Words, D of E etc. Be involved in the pastoral care of pupils whether as a tutor, boarding tutor or in other roles, including attending weekly assemblies, Liturgies (including Mass) and Inter-House competitions. Be involved in afternoon and occasional evening extra-curricular activities including trips, sports, music, drama, clubs and societies. Support the work of the boarding community by providing staffing for weekend activities on six half days across the School year. Carry out such duties as are allocated by the Deputy Head or other SMT colleagues, including study supervision, lunch duties, cover for absent colleagues and examination invigilation. Show the ability and desire to promote the image of Mayfield in the wider community. Maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour especially with regard to attendance and punctuality. Adhere to School policies and procedures contained within the Teaching Staff handbook, including professional conduct and Child Protection guidelines. Carry out any other reasonable request from the Headmistress.

6 All Mayfield Teaching Staff All teachers are expected to adhere to the Teachers Standards as outlined by the DfE and updated regularly. Full details of the terms and conditions of employment are found in the teaching staff employment contract. All staff are expected to contribute to the boarding and extra-curricular life of the School which may include some evenings and weekends. No member of the teaching staff may undertake private coaching of Mayfield girls outside School without the permission of the Headmistress. It should be noted that the above list of duties is not necessarily an exhaustive statement of the final responsibilities of the post. It is intended to give an overall view of the position and should be taken as guidance only. The post holder may be required to undertake any other reasonable task requested by the Headmistress which fall within his or her capabilities and which are in accordance with the usual practice of a Catholic Independent Boarding and Day School. Application Process Mayfield School has its own application form which is available via the website. Applications should be supported with a covering letter setting out why you wish to work at Mayfield School, why you feel you are an appropriate candidate for this position and what you believe you could contribute to the School community. We offer excellent working conditions in an outstanding environment. Mayfield has its own salary scale and the salary package for this position will reflect the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate. All staff are expected to contribute to the extra-curricular life of the School. Accommodation may be available. For further information please visit our website where you can access our requisite application form. Alternatively, contact Mrs Karen Bowles, PA to the Headmistress by for further details kbowles@mayfieldgirls.org. The School is an equal opportunities employer. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check. Mayfield School The Old Palace High Street Mayfield EAST SUSSEX TN20 6PH Tel: enquiry@mayfieldgirls.org www: mayfieldgirls.org