Teacher of French and/or Spanish

Dear prospective applicant,

Thank you for expressing an interest in this key vacancy at our college.

Over the last six years we have been on a journey to try and make this school not only one of the best schools for children to attend but also one of the best schools to work in as a member of staff. that is extremely rare and we urge you to come and see us in action, speak to the staff and speak to the students. Every decision that we take is done with a lot of thought and consideration and we put well-being at the centre, so that teachers can teach and students can learn.

There is always a tension between well-being and accountability but I do believe that we are getting closer to finding the sweet spot between the two. Although it is not the end of our journey, we have been recognised for the work we do in this area; we have been shortlisted for the well-being school of the year two years running and we have also been shortlisted for the prestigious Pearsons Award for secondary school of the year 2023.

We have a very different approach and we are trying to create a very different culture at CHCC, a culture whereby those in leadership do not hold authority and deserve to be followed; leaders at CHCC have to earn the right to lead and we welcome and appreciate challenge if we do not live up to the standards that are expected of us.

Currently, students are studying French from Y7 to Y11 and Spanish from Y7-9. In order to widen their opportunities, we have introduced an Arabic club after school and students are able to take GCSE exams in their Home Language. In every year, we have one ‘immersion’ tutor group. This group’s tutor is a language teacher who conducts tutor time in French, as well as deliver the Life Skills lessons in French. In our 5 year curriculum we want to develop natural and purposeful communication and secure long lasting knowledge. We are keen to ensure that what is learnt stay with them until adulthood. We have a 4 day trip to France this year to enable students to improve their cultural capital and experience the real France.

As a language teacher at Crown Hills you will be working in a department of 6 specialists with a variety of experience. You will be fully supported by the faculty leadership team to improve in all areas of your teaching. A TLR is available for the right candidate.

The THIRST values permeate all that we do and are a framework that staff can hold leaders to account for the way that they lead. We have high expectations but we will provide the support, training and resources for you to deliver the best possible education for our students.

We are very clear that the gender, background, colour, poverty, wealth or social status of a child should have no bearing on how well they perform and staff here work extremely hard in trying to close that gap between the different groups of pupils.

We have removed lesson observations from the appraisal process and linked it to professional development. Currently staff are entitled to ‘visits’ and entitled to a professional dialogue to improve their practice. That is a risk we have taken but it is aimed at creating a learning community where teachers can teach and learners can learn, without fear.

As a result, we have improved our headline figures year on year and initial analysis places us in the top 12% of schools nationally for progress, although we know that we can still do better.

Our behaviour policy is clear and simple, “First Time Every Time,” no quibbles, no arguments just do as we expect. Teachers no longer have to do detentions, chase up absence, attendance or punctuality. These are all done centrally with a highly skilled team that has taken the workload away from teachers.

If you walk the building during lessons, it is as if the school is empty; you will only hear the sound of delivery from teachers through an open door.

Curriculum is obviously now at the forefront of what we do and is the progression model. We have spent a significant amount of time ensuring that the curriculum is sequenced appropriately so that students are knowing, remembering and therefore able to do more.

I would also urge you to read our well-being charter that provides you with an understanding of things that we do to just make your job that little bit easier, not tokenistic but just genuine little things that help.

We have arranged an in person meeting to hear about our school and our vision and values. I would urge you to attend this as it will include a tour of the school. If you are unable to make it then please ask for the recording or attend virtually. The Information Evening in person or online is on Monday 12th February at 5.15pm, please let Sumaya Seedat know by email if you wish to attend, email in attached job pack.  In order to be shortlisted you must attend the event (online or in person) or ask for the recording.

Yours sincerely,

Mr F Adam

(Principal)