Teacher of English
Information for Candidates
Excellence, integrity and distinction since 1561
Page 1 Merchant Taylors’ School
For boys 11 – 18
Teacher of English
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Contents
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03
Merchant Taylors’ School
06
English at Merchant Taylors’
04
The Role
07
Benefits of Service
05
Key Tasks & Responsibilities
08
Selection Process
Page 2 Merchant Taylors’ School
Teacher of English
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Merchant Taylors’ School
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Merchant Taylors’ School is seeking to
appoint a Teacher of English. The
position is available from September
2012. Merchant Taylors’ boys’ school is
one of the top ten boys’ schools in the
UK. Located at Sandy Lodge in
Northwood, the school occupies a
superb setting with 250 acres of lakes,
gardens and woodland, and is within
easy reach of central London,
Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, and
Middlesex.
The School has enjoyed a distinguished
history since its foundation in 1561 by
the Merchant Taylors’ Company, one of
the twelve Great Livery Companies of
the City of London. One of the nine
original Public Schools as defined by
the 1868 Act, its alumni have achieved
distinction throughout its history.
Of greatest importance to the School is
that the boys (aged 11-18) grow to be
independent and free-thinking members
of a diverse community and that they
develop confidence and a set of
positive and morally secure values that
will provide a base from which to meet
the challenges of a changing and often
difficult world.
“Above all, Merchant Taylors’ wants
pupils at the School to be happy, to be
considerate of the needs of others and
to feel that they are recognised as
important and unique members of an
exceptional organisation”, Stephen
Wright, Head Master.
“The quality of the educational
experience provided is outstanding and
fulfils the school’s aims and philosophy
of creating a strong learning community
in which breadth of achievement is
valued equally with success at the
highest level in examinations.”
Although the School is forward-looking
and wears its heritage lightly, it retains a
strong sense of tradition and traditional
values. The School retains close links
with other Merchant Taylors’ schools
through the Merchant Taylors’
Educational Trust, and with the
Merchant Taylors’ Company itself.
The most recent Inspection Report on
the School, delivered in the autumn of
2008, captures the School’s approach,
describing the education offered as
“outstanding”, whilst emphasising the
richer vision of the school that
underpins academic achievement.
Page 3 Merchant Taylors’ School
Teacher of English
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The Role
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We require a graduate teacher of English for September 2012
to join an outstanding department. The post would suit either a
teacher looking to progress from their first teaching post or
someone new to the profession; all suitably qualified
candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. (A second
teacher is also required to cover a maternity leave).
We are looking for a lively and engaging teacher of English,
who enjoys working with young people and as part of a team.
We hope that he/she will bring new ideas to the teaching of
English at all levels and will contribute to raising the profile of
the subject even further through extra-curricular activities. The
ability to develop resources and instil a real enthusiasm for the
subject in others is essential.
All MTS teachers are expected to play a full part in the wider
extra-curricular life of a thriving school and the Common Room
Page 4 Merchant Taylors’ School
Teacher of English
has a lively and sociable atmosphere. A willingness to direct plays or assist with drama would be an advantage. It would also be an
advantage if you have either experience of teaching English Language/English Language & Literature at A Level or are keen to acquire
such experience. There may also be the opportunity to teach some Drama (Years 7-9) and A Level Theatre Studies.
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Key Tasks & Responsibilities
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Summary of responsibilities
The main responsibility of each Assistant
Teacher is his/her classroom teaching
duties; there are, however, other
responsibilities, such as being a Tutor, a
Form Teacher and taking part of the
School’s games and activities
programme. All these should be carried
out to the highest standard to ensure the
all-round quality of education for pupils at
Merchant Taylors’ School.
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To support the ethos of the School
and to work in accordance with its
desired aims and policies
To share in pastoral responsibility
for all pupils (especially those in the
individual’s teaching or tutor groups)
in liaison with the appropriate Heads
of School and senior managers
To play an active role in the life of
the School, including the games and
extra-curricular activities programme
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Teaching
Key Tasks
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To discharge all professional duties
as outlined in the Contract of
Employment and associated
Employment Manual
To set personal professional
standards (for example, in matters
of dress and punctuality) that are of
the highest level and that will enable
the individual teacher to act as a
role model for pupils.
Page 5 Merchant Taylors’ School
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Planning and preparing courses and
lessons
Assessing, marking, recording and
reporting on the development,
progress and attainment of pupils in
line with school and departmental
policy
Promoting the general progress and
well-being of individual pupils and
groups of pupils
Exercising proper care of teaching
materials, equipment and rooms to
maintain a stimulating teaching
environment
Following the agreed policies in the
Departmental Handbook with regard
to such matters as programmes of
study, teaching methods, supporting
pupils with learning support needs
and homework
Advising and co-operating in the
preparation and development of
courses of study, teaching
materials, teaching programmes,
methods of teaching and
assessment
Assessment and Reporting
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Providing or contributing to oral and
written assessments, reports and
references relating to individual
pupils and/or groups of pupils
Communicating and consulting with
the parents of pupils, both formally
at Parents’ Meetings and informally.
Participating in arrangements for
preparing and assessing pupils’
work for public examinations
Teacher of English
Behaviour Management
curriculum, the organisation of the
School or pastoral matters
Professional Development
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Participating in the School’s
arrangements for teacher review,
both as a reviewer, and as one
under review
As a teacher new to the School, to
take part in the School’s programme
of induction and review for new
teachers
Reviewing from time to time
teaching methods and programmes
of work
Participating in arrangements for
further training and professional
development as a teacher
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Maintaining good order and
discipline amongst the pupils and
safeguarding their health and safety,
both when they are on the School
premises and when they are
engaged in authorised School
activities elsewhere
To require from the pupils the high
standards of behaviour, dress,
punctuality, effort and attendance
that are consistent with the School’s
expectations
Meetings
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Cover
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Supervising (and when appropriate
teaching) any pupils whose teacher
is not available to teach them as
required by the Head of Department
or the Second Master
Tutor and Form Teacher roles
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When required to undertake duties
as a Tutor and/or Form Teacher as
detailed in a separate job
description
Participating, as required, in
meetings that relate to the
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English at Merchant Taylors’
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The Department
There are nine full-time teachers and
one part-time teacher in the English
Department. There is a wide variety of
experience within the department: some
colleagues are former Heads of
Department, whilst others are relatively
new to the profession. The atmosphere
within the department is lively and
friendly, as you would expect in a busy,
academic, high-achieving school. The
successful candidate will be joining a
strong, supportive, and professional
team.
Curriculum & Results
The department teaches its own rich
Lower & Middle School curriculum
broadly following, but in no way
restricted by, the framework of the
National Curriculum. We offer IGCSE
English and English Literature and Sixth
Page 6 Merchant Taylors’ School
Formers have a choice of the OCR
specifications in Literature, Language &
Literature or English Language. In
addition, Drama is taught throughout
the school and the Edexcel syllabus is
offered at GCSE; Sixth Formers may
choose Edexcel Theatre Studies. The
department has enjoyed consistently
excellent results in public examinations.
In 2011, at A Level English Literature,
100% of our candidates achieved
A*/A/B, whilst at IGCSE, 97% of the
candidates were awarded A*/A in
English Literature. English is always
popular as a university choice and there
are always a number of Oxbridge
candidates to prepare for interview.
Resources & Accommodation
We are very well resourced as a
department in terms of books and
audio-visual resources and there is
plenty of scope for exploring new texts
and ideas. We are housed in a suite of
recently-refurbished and well-equipped
classrooms in the heart of the School.
All classrooms have a networked PC
and interactive whiteboard to enhance
learning and teaching. There is,
additionally, a 25-seater dual-use
English ICT classroom with flip-top
desks that convert to workstations.
Extra-Curricular Activities
We take full advantage of our proximity
to London and arrange a large number
of trips to the theatre. The School has a
literary and dramatic tradition that spans
nearly 500 years and includes Edmund
Spenser, Thomas Kyd, Robert Herrick,
James Shirley and John Webster. Our
literary society – The Spenser –
regularly hosts guest speakers
including poets, like Carol Ann Duffy,
Isobel Dixon, Daljit Nagra, and Simon
Barraclough; and novelists like
Teacher of English
Conn Iggulden (an old boy of the
School). There is a thriving culture of
student publications, the Sixth Form
produce The Dependent, which
combines satire with articles of more
serious intent, whilst Pulse and Tech
‘n Mech showcase Lower School
writing. Debating and public speaking
Page 7 Merchant Taylors’ School
thrive and drama is vibrant, with an
exciting and varied programme of
events to which all are welcome to
contribute. In recent years, productions
have included: Marlowe’s Edward II;
Shakespeare (Hamlet, The Tempest,
and Coriolanus); musicals (Oliver,
Return to the Forbidden Planet, My Fair
Lady, The Little Shop of Horrors) and
contemporary theatre (Gas Station
Angel, Amadeus and Our Country’s
Good). In short, there are numerous,
exciting opportunities for the right
individual to take advantage of and to
enjoy.
Teacher of English
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Benefits of Service
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Benefits
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The School has high expectations of its staff, and
therefore looks to reward them with a generous salary
scale: this is a single spine of 14 points, beginning at
£29,594 (plus responsibility allowance).
Single and married teacher accommodation is usually
available onsite. Nearly half the academic faculty is
accommodated within school, in houses and flats, most
of which have been newly refurbished.
Interest-free loans are usually available to those staff
wishing to leave school accommodation and take out a
mortgage.
The current retirement age is 60 though, although
teachers can opt to continue until they are 65. Additional
benefits are itemized below.
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Personal
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Teaching
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The School’s pupils are interesting, talented young men
and the academic environment is exceptionally civilized
The collegiate spirit amongst the academic Faculty is a
strong and positive one. The atmosphere in Common
Room is exceptionally congenial and supportive
Class sizes are small (up to and including Year 11, the
average class size is 20, in the Sixth Form it is 11)
The teaching facilities are excellent: almost every teacher
has his/her own classroom & almost all classrooms are
equipped with interactive whiteboards and projectors
Career
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There is an extensive induction programme for all new
colleagues and NQTs and ongoing professional
development is encouraged: we have generous INSET
provision
There is ample opportunity to take on additional
responsibility.
Each member of the academic faculty has a voice on
professional matters via the General Purposes Committee
that represents the Senior Common Room in consultations
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The School enjoys a marvellous situation: central London
is 25 minutes away, the M1 and M25 are 10 minutes
away, Heathrow is less than half an hour
Fee concessions are available for the sons of any member
of the academic faculty who meet the school's entry
requirements; this is also true for St John’s Prep School in
Pinner, which is owned by the Merchant Taylors’
Company
Membership of the Teacher's Superannuation Scheme
Longer holidays than the maintained sector
Free on-site parking
School Nurse on site
Typically generous sick and maternity/paternity
arrangements
For Recreation
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Free use of school's extensive leisure and sporting
facilities: 250 acres of parkland, with more than 55
devoted to sport
Free lunch and free refreshments are available throughout
the working day
A separate Recreation Room
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Page 8 Merchant Taylors’ School
Teacher of English
Selection Process
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Please complete an application form and an accompanying letter
(maximum 500 words) outlining your suitability for the post; you
may wish to include a brief CV
The post will be advertised in the Times Educational Supplement
on 9th and 16th March 2012
The closing date is Wednesday 21st March 2012
Interviews will take place week beginning 26th March 2012.
Applications to (email, fax, or post):
The Head Master
Merchant Taylors’ School
Sandy Lodge
Northwood
Middlesex HA6 2HT
Fax: +44(0)1923 835110
Email: HMSec@mtsn.org.uk
The Head of English, David Lawrence will be happy to answer any questions; he can be contacted at the School, in the first instance by email (dlawrence@mtsn.org.uk) or by telephone +44(0)1923 845508. Equally, the Head, Stephen Wright, will be glad to speak to any
prospective applicants. He can be contacted on +44 (0)1923 821850
Page 9 Merchant Taylors’ School
Teacher of English