Ivybridge Community College Lead Practitioner Modern Foreign Languages Candidate Information Provision Inclusivity Learning and Teaching Leadership Achievement Respectful Behaviour Stakeholders
Dear Candidate Lead Practitioner - Modern Foreign Languages Further to your enquiry, I am delighted that you have requested further information regarding the position of Lead Practitioner at Ivybridge Community College. This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a flourishing Department at a College which has had an Outstanding Status for nearly twenty years. As a College, we are committed to providing an excellent education for ages 11-18. Inherent in everything we do is a culture of high expectation and aspirations. Students are encouraged to develop a love of learning, to think for themselves and to maximise their full potential. The successful candidate will gain a wealth of experience from working across the College, whilst receiving support and guidance from the Leadership Team. Yours sincerely Rachel Hutchinson Principal Ivybridge Community College Page 1
Modern Foreign Languages Department The Post Thank you for your interest in the post of Lead Practitioner for Modern Foreign Languages. The vacancy has arisen due to wanting to develop and enhance Modern Foreign Languages further at the College. We would welcome applications from candidates who feel they have the qualities of an emerging Lead Practitioner. The Department The Modern Languages Department at Ivybridge Community College comprises six full-time and four part-time members of staff, as well as a Languages Resource Assistant and three Foreign Language Assistants. It is well resourced with nine specialist classrooms each with an Interactive Whiteboard. There is also a Languages Computer Suite where students regularly enrich their language learning through languages software and numerous websites. We also have a trolley of sixteen ipads. A wide range of teaching materials is used, but the current course books are Studio Viva and Stimmt. We currently offer three languages: French, German and Spanish. There is one Foreign Language Assistant for each of these languages, all of whom work twelve hours each. The Department is managed by the Modern Foreign Languages Leadership Team which consists of the Head of Department, Deputy Team Leader and two Assistant Team Leaders. This is a hard-working, lively and fun Department, committed to being successful. Although we are large in staff numbers we manage to maintain close and friendly working relationships. We have a range of ages and experience within our staff and many have responsibilities in the wider College. Several of our teachers are involved with extra-curricular activities both in and out of the Department. Ivybridge Community College Page 2
Curriculum Organisation and Courses Year 7: Students have a choice of one of two modern foreign languages in set ability groups. Each class is timetabled for six hours a fortnight in their choice of language and wherever possible the Foreign Language Assistant will also assist in their learning. Year 8: Students continue in their choice of modern foreign language over the year, receiving six hours of teaching a fortnight if they are in a middle set. If they are in a top set, they have the opportunity to start a second language for two hours a fortnight. Students who have opted for French in Year 7 will be offered German as their second modern foreign language; Year 9, 10 and Year 11: A significant number of students study at least one modern foreign language and a good percentage study two languages. All students are prepared for the AQA s GCSE examination. Each language is timetabled for four hours a fortnight. Examination results are good and are improving across all three languages offered. Post 16: At present A Level and AS Level French, German and Spanish are offered, all students are preparing for the AQA Board. Students work with the Foreign Language Assistants on a weekly basis. Every member of staff is committed to helping students to achieve the very best that they can. Our aim is that students enjoy excellent and productive working relationships with their Languages teachers and through collaboration, they develop their knowledge and love of our subject. We are constantly exploring new ways to teach and learn languages and this is the main focus of our Department Meetings. We share practice both in these meetings and informally at break or lunch. Language immersion trips are taken to France, Germany and Spain. Each language offers a trip at every Key Stage. We enjoy excellent relationships with our partner primary schools and regularly support their language training and workshops for students run by both Staff and our Star Student Linguists! We also deliver the language input in a couple of our partner primaries. Ivybridge Community College Page 3
Student success is celebrated through the Ivybridge Community College Echo, on our website and each term teachers award Languages Hall of Fame to students in each Year Group and Language. Winners receive a postcard home and their names are displayed on a board in the Languages corridor. Most Able Linguists are offered a wide range of extra-curricular activities both within College and through outside agencies. As a Department, we believe that there is true value in understanding languages and being able to communicate with others and broaden our cultural awareness, as opposed to simply learning how to answer examination questions. Whilst we are proud of our successes we are always looking forward and very much enjoy new challenges that bring new opportunities. In short, this is an excellent place to teach and further your career. The successful candidate will support in ensuring that the quality of Teaching and Learning and provision of Modern Foreign Languages are outstanding at all Key Stages. The role will involve Coaching and Mentoring staff, both within the Department and across the College, delivering whole College CPD and contributing to the strategic improvement of whole College Teaching and Learning. Applications are welcome from suitably experienced and talented teachers who are able to offer both French and Spanish. Ivybridge Community College Page 4
JOB DESCRIPTION Post: Lead Practitioner Modern Foreign Languages Accountable to: Deputy Principal Salary: Negotiable Overall Purpose and Accountability The post holder will be responsible for the development of Modern Foreign Languages as part of the wider College curriculum and ensuring students make outstanding progress in their learning within the subject area across all Key Stages. Developing Modern Foreign Languages as part of the wider curriculum To develop Modern Foreign Languages Teaching and Learning across the full ability range and ensure that students are praised and rewarded for their achievements, whilst making sure that all students are able to make progress in line with their ability. To work with the Head of Department to continually review and revise Departmental policies to maximise their effectiveness on Teaching and Learning. To work collaboratively with staff and other teachers across the College to drive Teaching and Learning. To develop the subject area and support with raising its profile as part of the wider curriculum in light of the significant changes taking place within the Modern Foreign Languages curriculum at all Key Stages. To strengthen and develop our current Modern Foreign Languages offer at Ivybridge Community College, implementing new Schemes of Work to provide students with a positive and stimulating learning experience. To work collaboratively with the Department, with the aim of widening participation at Key Stage 5. To play a key role in the implementation of effective and motivating Schemes of Work in preparation for the curriculum changes that lay ahead. To make developments in terms of cross-curricular learning and opportunities for global citizenship across the wider curriculum. To lead staff training on curriculum development within Modern Foreign Languages. To support the Head of Department and/or subject with the planning and coordination of trips and visits. To support with the leadership and management of the Department, contributing to the self-evaluation process and Department improvement planning by evaluating Teaching and Learning and its impact on student progress. Ivybridge Community College Page 5
Intervention and Support To regularly review and analyse teacher assessment data, working closely with the Head of Department to identify students requiring additional support. To analyse assessment results and work with the Department to devise effective ways of raising the achievement of all students, including Pupil Premium students. To ensure students of all ages and abilities, have opportunities to practice and further develop their language skills outside of curriculum time. To work in partnership with partner primary schools to facilitate effective transition for the subject area from Key Stage 2 to 3 and thus raise attainment. To liaise with parents and encouraging parents to support the development of their child s language learning. Working with Colleagues on Classroom Practice To model outstanding practice and to be observed as necessary so that staff can develop their own understanding of what good or better learning looks like. To work collaboratively and creatively with the College s coaching team and senior lead for Teaching and Learning. To identify continuing professional development needs for individuals and the Department team as a whole. To observe and analyse lessons and give supportive and informative feedback. To carry out Learning Walks and undertake other Quality Assurance activities as directed by the Head of Department with the aim of monitoring standards and improving Teaching and Learning within the subject area, identifying further training needs where necessary. To support colleagues through the coaching programme. To plan and deliver high quality training and INSET sessions to staff. To evaluate and measure the impact of training activities and INSET sessions. Ivybridge Community College Page 6
Best Practice To seek out exceptional practice that exists within the College and from other institutions so that we continually improve our practice. To sustain outstanding practice in your own classroom by constantly reflecting and refining. To lead the use of technologies in the development of classroom practice and pedagogy, for example, videoing lessons and using White Board technologies. To identify educational research to enhance existing practices. To conduct relevant research related to new practice. To develop and share exciting and innovative Teaching and Learning strategies. To create new and high quality teaching materials and resources. Support teachers in creating positive behaviour management through outstanding teaching. To undertake such duties as may be required by the Principal. Outreach Work In addition to the professional duties carried out at Ivybridge Community College, Leading Practitioners may also be expected to undertake work in other schools. The commitment to in-reach and outreach is the distinctive feature of the role and gives our Lead Practitioners the opportunity to gain wider experience and have a greater impact through their work. The above duties are not exhaustive and post holders may be requested to undertake activities reasonably assigned by the Principal. Ivybridge Community College Page 7
Accountability Leading Practitioners are accountable to the Head of Department and the Leadership Team. Safeguarding Ivybridge Community College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Development and Review of Job Description This is a description of the job as it is constituted at the date shown. It is the practice of the College to examine job descriptions periodically, update them and ensure that they relate to the job performed, or to incorporate any proposed changes. This procedure will be conducted by the Principal/Line Manager in consultation with the post holder. The completed form and letter of application should be returned to the Principal s PA, Melanie Vincent, at the College by noon on Friday, 21 April 2017 If you would to submit your application by email please send to: mvincent@ivybridge.devon.sch.uk Ivybridge Community College Page 8
Ivybridge Community College Harford Road Ivybridge Devon PL21 0JA Tel 01752 691000 www.ivybridge.devon.sch.uk