JOB DESCRIPTION and PERSON SPECIFICATION
TEACHING ASSISTANT - MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES (FRENCH)
Introduction
Concord College is England’s premier international boarding college providing GCSE and A Level
courses. Set in 45 acres of Shropshire parkland, the College combines outstanding facilities with
first-rate academic performance. The College is regularly rated in the top 20 schools in the UK.
Students are cared for by dedicated staff in a safe and beautiful environment.
Very high academic standards are expected from our students and they are extremely well
motivated. Our academic staff must have the ability to challenge the many gifted students as well
as encouraging the less able to ensure all students reach their potential. Teachers are expected to
work to the highest professional standards and to be prepared to give plenty of individual help and
support to students where required.
The MFL Department
The main foreign languages taught at Concord are French and Spanish. Spanish has become
increasingly popular and is taught to non-native speakers up to A level. French is taught up to GCSE
and A level. All F3 entrants take both languages unless they need extra support in English.
Concord College is a multi-lingual community. Students are supported to take exams in their native
languages such as Russian and Chinese.
Spanish is available at AS level for new 6.1 entrants and can be taken in combination with both
Science and Humanities subjects. Beginners’ courses in Japanese and Mandarin are also available.
Exam results at GCSE have always been excellent. We are now following the new International
IGCSE and Edexcel for AS and A level.
The Head of Department leads a team of 9 full time and part-time staff (including Teaching
Assistants) for Chinese, Russian, German, French, Japanese and Spanish. The department is
forward-looking and embraces new technology to enhance teaching, for example there is a brand
new classroom with a suite of computers in the new MFL suite. There is easy access to electronic
whiteboards for all teachers.
Competitions within the department are arranged; for example, there is a bi-annual Poetry in
Translation Prize and the Magazine Advertisement Prize for the best analysis of an advertisement.
We also enter the European Day of Languages competitions.
From time to time study trips to Spain are arranged (eg Barcelona) and students are encouraged to
attend study days (eg Birmingham Spanish Day). We are members of the Association for Language
Learning (ALL) and the Independent Schools’ Modern Language Association (ISMLA).
Main duties and responsibilities of the post holder include:






thorough planning, preparation and clear presentation/delivery;
initiating, facilitating and moderating classroom and individual discussions;
evaluating and grading students’ oral work, giving appropriate feedback and maintaining
records of students’ progress and development;
researching new topic areas, maintaining up-to-date subject knowledge, and devising and
writing new curriculum materials as directed by the Head of Department;
selecting and using a range of different learning resources and equipment;
preparing students for qualifications, including external examinations and university entry
papers as required;
1






managing student behaviour in the classroom and on college premises;
participating in regular departmental meetings, INSET, college training events, observation and
professional review in order to maximise the quality of teaching;
use of the SIMS database;
writing regular, informative and individual reports on students;
participating in and organising extracurricular activities as appropriate and as required by the
Head of Department and Senior Management;
complying with policies and procedures, including those relating to Safeguarding and Child
Protection, Health and Safety, Welfare, Security, Smoking in the Workplace, Confidentiality and
Data Protection, and reporting any concerns.
Qualifications:


a native speaker of French
a formal teaching qualification may be an advantage
Skills and Experience:







the capability of assisting the teaching of French expertly and confidently to all age groups 1318, being up-to-date in his/her subject;
a willingness to accommodate the needs of students from a variety of linguistic backgrounds is
essential;
confidence in IT and good IT skills, being able to pick up new procedures and routines quickly;
effective and efficient administrative skills;
the ability to contribute to the extra-curricular life of the college;
a background in boarding education may be an advantage;
relevant experience in teaching, examining or in the commercial sector will be taken into
account.
Personal Attributes:
The successful applicant should:
 be a passionate advocate of his/her subject;
 have good interpersonal skills and have the ability to work as part of a team;
 be generous in spirit;
 be able to communicate fluently and accurately in spoken and written English;
 be confident in handling students at both ends of the Concord academic spectrum;
 be flexible in outlook and amenable to change.
Concord College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
and expects all staff to share this commitment. Child protection screening is required including checks
with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
AR-C/BMB-D/LJ/Sep 13
2