INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS FOR POSITION OF
TEACHER OF ENGLISH
A qualified and experienced teacher is required to teach English within a strong department at this forwardlooking and ambitious school. This is a full time post for September 2015.
Royal Russell is an HMC/IAPS co-educational day and boarding school with 920 pupils between the ages of 3
and 18. There are 130 boarders. The School is situated on a beautiful green campus of 110 acres in the
Shirley Hills in South Croydon, and boasts day and boarding facilities amongst the best in the South of
England. The school is over-subscribed and to sustain and meet this demand a major investment in teaching
facilities, has just been completed together with a major Sports Pitch redevelopment.
The Royal Russell pay scale includes a generous allowance for suitably qualified and experienced staff.
Allowances are available for specific pastoral and academic responsibilities.
Royal Russell School
Coombe Lane
Croydon
Surrey
CR9 5BX
Switchboard: 020 8657 4433
E-mail: hr@royalrussell.co.uk
www.royalrussell.co.uk
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Royal Russell School
Royal Russell School is an independent co-educational school with two distinct schools on the one campus.
Our Junior School accepts children from the age of 3 to 11. The Senior School has students aged 11 to 16,
and in the Sixth Form, 16 to 18. The School also has three separate boarding houses for 130 Senior
students.
Location
The School is set in 110 acres of outstanding natural beauty, yet it is close to London. From almost every
window there are views of natural woodland. Our close proximity to the Coombe Lane tram stop provides
excellent public transport links to Croydon (15mins) and Central London (30mins). The School is only an
hour from Heathrow and Gatwick international airports.
Facilities
The School is a blend of majestic older buildings and ultra-modern facilities. Multi-million pound sports
facilities, constantly upgraded boarding houses and spacious classrooms are key features, with particularly
good ICT facilities, including site wide Wifi.
Previous development projects include a spacious extension to the Sports Hall, a multimedia Library and
Sixth Form Centre. The Performing Arts Centre was opened by HRH Prince Edward in December 2010 and
houses the outstanding new facilities for Music and Drama. At the heart of the new building is a 200 seat
auditorium which is used for Drama, Music and Media events.
A new science laboratory was created during 2013/14 which improved the facilities on offer for all 3 science
subjects. Our £2 million Sports Pitch Development Project was formally opened in June 2014 and includes
a full-size floodlit Astroturf pitch, three all-weather training pitches, as well as refurbished and floodlit netball
and tennis courts and natural turf pitches for football, cricket, rounders and athletics. Prior to the
commencement of this academic year we completed a major refurbishment of the practical block thereby
enhancing the support provided for our food technology, art and design and photography courses.
Curriculum
The School offers a full range of GCSE, IGCSE and A level courses in preparation for university entrance.
Pastoral care
The School has developed a reputation for the care of the individual which is achieved through our strong
House system in the Senior School and class Teachers in the Junior School. Each House has a bespoke
building with common room, study and games areas. Our highly dedicated staff care for both our boarders
and day pupils – a carefully balanced mix which includes girls and boys of all ages up to university entrance.
We aim to produce happy, polite and academically successful young people.
Co-curricular activities
Like many other top independent schools we offer a full range of activities after school. In addition, Royal
Russell School has an international reputation for its music and for its role in the Model United Nations
Programme; this has encouraged links with the Diplomatic Services and International organisations.
Destination of leavers
There are 160 students in the Sixth Form and last year all of these gained places on the university courses
of their choice.
Patron
Her Majesty The Queen.
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The English Department
Introduction
English lies at the core of the school’s curriculum. It is taught by a team of full-time enthusiastic and
experienced teachers, who are all experts in their field.
Key Points
 Successful teaching shown by excellent exam results at GCSE and A Level
 45% pass rate at A*-A IGCSE English Language
 100% pass rate at A*-C at A level
 Classrooms equipped with digital projectors and whiteboards
Teaching arrangements
KS3
Five lessons of English per week – each class taught by one teacher
KS4
Six lessons per week – each taught by one class teacher
Pupils take both AQA IGCSE English Language and IGCSE English Literature
Sixth Form Eight lessons per week taught by two teachers
Students follow the AQA syllabus A in English Literature
A level Creative Writing is also offered by the department to a small number of students
The current incumbent is also the Literacy Coordinator and publishes the student newspaper led by a
student editorial team. These posts may also be available.
The role
Job title: Teacher of English
Reports to: Head of Department, and ultimately the Headmaster
Responsible for: No posts
Job purpose: To teach such pupils and subjects as may be required by the Headmaster in accordance with
the timetables, policies and schemes of work laid down by the School.
Main duties and responsibilities:
 To teach lessons as directed by the Head of Department, according to the departmental schemes of
work, as indicated by the timetable prepared by the Deputy Head-Curriculum
 To participate in the development of schemes of work and other appropriate syllabus-related materials
 To assist with the setting and marking of internal exams as directed by the Head of Department for A
level
 To set and mark homework according to the published homework timetable and in line with
departmental policy
 To write reports on pupils according to the report schedule published each term
 To attend all departmental meetings and Common Room meetings
 To attend evening parents’ meetings for year groups that they teach
 To be attached to a House. This involves taking morning registration every day, Monday to Friday, and
assuming tutorial responsibility for a group of pupils within the house, as directed by the Housemaster
or Housemistress
 To carry out regular school duties, as detailed in the published duty rota
 To be present at school on the following Saturdays each year: Royal Russell Day (all day), Open
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Morning, and one Saturday Detention Supervision (half-day)
To be present at school on the day before the start of each term to attend Common Room meetings
and INSET sessions
To set high standards of dress, attendance and punctuality
To be aware of, and implement, school policies on Child Protection, Health and Safety, and other issues
as listed in the Staff Handbook
To participate in the extra-curricular programme of the school
To be available to take extra lessons to cover for absent colleagues as indicated by the published
‘Locum Tenens’ rota.
To take part in the school staff appraisal scheme, and to keep up with the professional developments
within teaching
To perform other duties as agreed with the Headmaster
General responsibilities
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Ensures the safety and well-being of children and young people at the School by adhering to and
complying with the School’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy at all times.
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Attends Royal Russell Day and Open Day as required.
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Displays correct staff identification at all times whilst on site.
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Attends training and staff INSET sessions organised by the School to provide a consistent approach
across the entire School staff population.
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Adheres at all times to Health & Safety legislation, and all departmental policies and procedures, to
ensure the safety of you and colleagues as well as pupils, staff and visitors.
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Carries out any other reasonable duties as requested by the Headmaster.
This job description contains an outline of the typical functions of the job and is not an exhaustive or
comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties. The job-holder’s actual
responsibilities, tasks, and duties might differ from those outlined in the job description, and other duties
commensurate with this level of responsibility may be either permanently or temporarily assigned as part of
the job.
Person Specification – Teacher of English
Qualifications
 English PGCE with QTS
 A good honours degree in English
Experience
 Experience of teaching English from KS3 through to A level
 Excellent practitioner and advocate of modern teaching and learning methods
Knowledge
 A good understanding of the subject matter and the latest developments in the teaching of English
Skills and abilities
 Evidence of Continued Professional Development
 Good communication and presentation skills
 Strong organisational skills
 Excellent ICT skills in Microsoft Office Packages
 Working knowledge of IWB’s
 Commitment to, and experience of using a range of teaching styles and methods
 Numerate with a high standard of written and spoken English
 An understanding of child protection and safeguarding
 A willingness to participate in the wider co-curricular life of the school
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An empathy and enthusiasm for the Christian ethos of the school.
An enthusiastic and positive attitude about learning and teaching
Ability to build good relationships with parents and colleagues
Ability to work well within a team
Self-motivated and versatile
Pro-active, making suggestions for improvement and change
Demonstrates an understanding of the independent education sector
Possess a sense of humour!
April 2015
Conditions of Service
This is a full time post. The Royal Russell pay scale is above SNS and includes a generous allowance for
suitably qualified and experienced staff. In addition allowances are available for specific pastoral and
academic responsibilities. Salaries are subject to an annual cost of living review in September.
Staff are entitled to 50% discount on School fees (pro rata for part-time posts). There is a swimming pool
and tennis courts on site that can be used by staff and a free lunch may be taken in the School dining hall
when the kitchen is in operation. There is also free car parking on site.
The employment will be subject to a probationary period of two terms.
Appointments
The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and questions will be asked
at interview to assess the suitability of candidates to work with our children. All appointments are subject to
a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (including a check against the
Children’s Barred List), and other pre-employment screening including a check on the Secretary of State list
of prohibited staff. This includes receipt of at least two references satisfactory to the School, medical
fitness, qualifications check where relevant for the post, the right to work in the UK and an identity
check. Our policy on the employment of ex-offenders is available on request.
All appointments are made in accordance with our Equality Policy and applicants should let us know of any
special needs they may have.
Staff Development
The school is committed to staff development and the position will provide a good springboard for further
promotion. A thorough induction programme is in place for newly qualified teachers. All staff are
encouraged to attend INSET courses.
Recruitment Process
A completed application form with a supporting letter of no more than 2 sides of A4 outlining the extent to
which you can demonstrate your ability to meet our requirements as set out in the person specification,
including details of two referees, one of which should be a current or most recent employer should be sent
to The Headmaster, Royal Russell Senior School, Coombe Lane, Croydon, CR9 5BX. References may be
taken up before interview. Candidates should also submit the Criminal Declaration form with their
application. (All applicants invited for interview will be required to complete an application form and criminal
declaration form.) Electronic Applications are accepted and should be emailed to
headmaster@royalrussell.co.uk
Applications will be considered on receipt and should arrive no later than 5.00 pm on Monday 27th
April 2015.
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Short listed candidates will be contacted by telephone and asked to attend an interview on Thursday 30th
April 2015. The interview will consist of an observed lesson, tour of the Senior School and an interview with
The Headmaster, Deputy Heads and Head of Department. Candidates must provide original documents to
confirm their identity at interview and bring proof of qualifications where relevant for the post.
Travel expenses will be reimbursed (mileage or 2nd class train travel)
Candidates who have not heard from the School by Friday 8th May should presume that they have not been
successful in their application.
Royal Russell School
Coombe Lane
Croydon
Surrey
CR9 5BX
Switchboard: 020 8657 4433
Fax: 020 8657 0207
E-mail: hr@royalrussell.co.uk
www.royalrussell.co.uk
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