Head of Modern Foreign Languages

RAINHILL HIGH SCHOOL; St Helens; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Rainhill High School is seeking an inspirational Head of Modern Foreign Languages to lead the high‑performing MFL department. The role focuses on Spanish excellence, a dynamic curriculum, and expanding opportunities from KS2 to KS5.

You will inspire staff, drive outstanding attainment, and shape the department within the Trust. Ideally you will have a Spanish specialism, strong leadership experience, and a track record of improving outcomes across key stages.

Qualifications

• QTLS / Qualified Teacher Status
• Degree in a related area
• Recent participation in relevant in-service training
• Leadership & management experience in a middle leadership role
• Experience with QA (quality assurance) and CPD

Responsibilities

• Outstanding classroom practitioner with proven Spanish teaching to KS5
• Lead, motivate and develop the MFL team
• Data‑literacy and use of assessment to drive departmental intervention
• Fluency in Spanish essential; working knowledge of a second language desirable

Skills

Spanish

Leadership

Data literacy

Curriculum planning

Education

Qualified Teacher Status / QTLS

Degree in related area

In-Service Training

Leadership experience

Job description

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.,

• 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, 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.

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, 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.

• 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.

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