Head of French (Maternity)

Teaching Vacancies; Tonbridge; On-site; GBP 7,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution in Tonbridge is seeking a dedicated individual to lead the French department. The successful candidate will have Qualified Teacher Status and be committed to high student outcomes. Responsibilities include creating positive relationships with students and engaging in professional development opportunities. The role offers full-time employment with a salary of MPS/UPS plus TLR2b. Additional benefits include comprehensive professional development, supportive environment, and more. Apply by January 12, 2026.

Benefits

Professional Development

Cycle to work scheme

Healthcare cash plan

Priority admission for staff children

Qualifications

• Outstanding classroom teacher and tutor.
• Ability to teach French to KS4 and A-Level.
• Sustained performance securing very good student outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Leading the French department across all key stages.
• Creating positive relationships with students and staff.
• Engaging with professional development opportunities.

Skills

Effective communication

Planning for lessons

Confident in teaching challenges

Effective behaviour management

Supportive relationships

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

Degree or equivalent

Job description

Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status
• Degree or equivalent
• Experience
• Outstanding classroom teacher and tutor
• Sustained performance securing very good student outcomes
• The ability to teach French to KS4
• The ability to teach French to A-Level

Skills & Knowledge

• Able to communicate effectively, orally and in writing
• Able to consistently demonstrate effective planning for practical lessons to help support the delivery of outstanding lessons
• Confident in own ability to be effective and to take on challenges
• Ability to relate well to students, colleagues, parents and Trustees
• Effective behaviour management
• Able to support students in maintaining high standards
• Efficient and effective administrative, organisational and personal management skills

Personal Attributes

• Ability to inspire, challenge and motivate
• Have a positive approach with a desire to succeed
• Energy, enthusiasm and perseverance
• Reliability and integrity
• Good interpersonal skills
• Professional appearance and manner
• Positive commitment to individual personal development
• Capacity to work hard, under pressure, to meet deadlines and manage time effectively
• A good record of attendance
• Adaptable and amenable with respect to working practices
• Ability to work independently and in a team, take a collaborative approach
• Ability to build supportive working relationships with colleagues
• Commitment to supporting the full life of the school
• Suitable to work with children

Equal Opportunities

A commitment to inclusive education

What the school offers its staff

• Professional Development
• Research‑led CPD programmes, tailored to individual’s aspirations, which are based both in school and across the wider Trust.
• A full induction programme for all new staff.
• ECT’s will have a lower teaching load, timetabled mentoring sessions and a full programme of training and induction activities.
• Unlimited access to the National College CPD platform.
• An additional INSET day at the beginning of the academic year dedicated to teacher planning and preparation.
• Our “No lesson judgements” policy ensures lesson observations are developmental and supportive.
• One INSET day a year dedicated to moderation and curriculum preparation.

Staff Welfare

• Data capture that is measured and timely – we report progress home three times a year.
• Minimal written reports.
• No requirement for teachers to submit lesson plans, even for lesson observations.
• Teaching staff are only required to do a maximum of one twenty‑minute duty each week.
• Supportive yet challenging governance, which understands that teachers are our most valuable resource.
• We are a school that appreciates the importance of family. We do our best to support staff when there are issues and requests for additional leave regarding family events and an Additional Leave policy that supports staff when they may need time off school.
• A teaching load of 43/50 one‑hour periods of teaching per fortnight maximum.

Benefits

• School budgets are set making the assumption that everybody will get their incremental pay rise.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Healthcare cash plan.
• Occupational health support.
• Priority admission for staff children (see admissions policy on school website).
• Employee Discount Scheme (Multiple Retailers – Kent Reward Scheme).
• Opportunity to perform paid lunch‑time duties (with free lunch).
• Free annual flu vaccination.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Free tea and coffee provided in the staff room.
• Use of onsite canteen offering hot meals and salad bar.
• Opportunities to participate in enrichment activities e.g. theatre visits.
• Opportunities for flexible working.
• Free on‑site parking.
• Membership of the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) or Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

Environment

Pleasant working environment with very well‑behaved students.

Eleven acres of school grounds set in Green Belt land at Tonbridge Campus.

Employment Status

Maternity

Full Time/Part Time

Full Time

Salary

MPS/UPS plus TLR2b £6,068 per annum

Start Date

March 2026

About the Post

The successful candidate will need to be committed to delivering the school’s vision and the high ambitions for the school’s future. Their clear strategic and operational activity leads to sustained improvements and raised standards across the organisation. The Post Holder communicates to others clearly and regularly to their team and those they may work with about the strategic direction of “development and standards” policy and the operational functions for which they are accountable. In addition, they ensure that the systems they introduce are understood and embedded in the everyday work of their subject. The Post Holder seeks to challenge underperformance and remove barriers to inclusion and achievement. They are an outstanding teacher and tutor who consistently models Professional Standards. They actively seek out best practice and inspire others also to continue to improve. The Post Holder actively supports the activities of the school community and the wider community it serves.

Responsibilities

• Leading the French department across all relevant key stages.
• Creating and maintaining positive and supportive relationships with students, staff, parents, the PTA, Trustees and all other stakeholders.
• Engaging with appropriate professional development opportunities to promote professional effectiveness in their role.

The Team

Languages are an important part of the school’s curriculum at the Weald of Kent. Language learning at the Weald of Kent is exciting and engaging. The Languages team consists of a Head of Faculty who also oversees French, a Head of German and a Head of Spanish.

At Key Stage 3, all students learn French, Spanish or German and continue with this language at GCSE. We have an increasing number of students who choose to take a language at A Level, with up to 15 students in each of Year 12 and 13. We have reintroduced German to the curriculum and have a new cohort of students eligible to take A Level German as well. Students follow the AQA specifications in the relevant language at both GCSE and A Level.

Every member in the Languages team plays their part to help provide a large and varied programme of extra‑curricular activities throughout the year. We organise a variety of opportunities for our students to visit France, Germany and Spain on cultural trips and we also celebrate all our languages through a series of events throughout the year. Every classroom has an interactive whiteboard as standard and we have invested in a series of digital textbooks.

Application Closing Date

Monday 12 January 2026, 9am

Shortlist Interview Date

Thursday 15 January 2026

Safeguarding

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post. As this role involves 'regulated activity' with children the successful applicant will be required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure application. Employment will be conditional upon the College being satisfied with the result of the Enhanced DBS check and the outcome of all other checks. The School will also carry out a check of the Children’s Barred List on the successful applicant. This role is also exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the School is therefore permitted to ask shortlisted applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are “spent” unless they are “protected” under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.