About Liberty Woodland School Sixth Form
Liberty Woodland School is opening an exciting new Sixth Form in September 2027, extending our IB provision into post-16 education.
Our Sixth Form will combine strong academic outcomes with the development of independent, thoughtful and capable young adults. We aim to provide students with a highly personalised experience in which they are well known, appropriately challenged and prepared for university, apprenticeships and the wider world.
As a new and growing Sixth Form, we are seeking enthusiastic, knowledgeable and adaptable teachers who are excited by the opportunity to help establish and shape our IB Diploma Programme (DP) provision.
The Role
We are seeking an excellent part-time Language & Literature teacher to join our new Sixth Form from June 2027, with responsibility for delivering IB Diploma Programme Language A: Language and Literature.
The successful candidate will have strong subject knowledge, a passion for language and literature, and the ability to inspire students to engage critically with a diverse range of literary and non-literary texts.
They will help students explore how language creates meaning, how texts are shaped by their contexts, purposes and audiences, and how different perspectives are communicated and represented.
The successful candidate will be expected to teach at Standard Level and/or Higher Level according to student choices and the needs of the Sixth Form.
The exact teaching allocation and part-time commitment will be determined by student numbers and the successful candidate's qualifications and experience.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who would enjoy helping to shape a new Sixth Form and its Language & Literature provision from the outset.
Key Responsibilities
Teaching and Learning
The successful candidate will:
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Plan and deliver high-quality, engaging lessons that meet the requirements of the IB Diploma Programme.
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Teach Language A: Language and Literature at Standard Level and/or Higher Level as required.
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Develop students' ability to read, analyse, interpret and evaluate a wide range of literary and non-literary texts.
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Develop students' understanding of how language, structure, style and form contribute to meaning.
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Encourage students to explore relationships between texts, audiences, purposes, contexts and perspectives.
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Develop students' confidence in constructing thoughtful, well-supported interpretations and arguments.
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Support students in developing sophisticated written and oral communication.
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Encourage independent reading, intellectual curiosity and engagement with a diverse range of texts, writers, voices and perspectives.
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Develop students' ability to compare texts and make meaningful connections between works and wider global issues.
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Maintain high academic expectations while providing appropriate support and challenge for individual students.
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Use assessment effectively to identify strengths, areas for development and appropriate next steps.
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Provide regular, constructive feedback that enables students to make progress.
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Prepare students effectively for DP internal and external assessments.
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Support students in developing effective study, research and examination skills.
IB Language A: Language and Literature
The successful candidate will:
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Develop and maintain a detailed understanding of the requirements and assessment practices of IB Language A: Language and Literature.
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Plan and teach in accordance with the current IB subject guide.
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Select and teach an appropriate range of literary works and non-literary bodies of work in accordance with IB requirements.
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Develop students' ability to analyse how meaning is created through language, form, structure, style and context.
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Encourage students to consider different interpretations and perspectives.
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Develop students' understanding of the relationship between language, culture, identity and society.
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Support students in making connections between texts and significant local and global issues.
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Encourage students to become confident, critical and independent readers.
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Develop students' ability to communicate interpretations effectively through both written and oral responses.
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Ensure students understand the assessment requirements of the course and are appropriately prepared for both internal and external assessment.
Assessment and the Individual Oral
The successful candidate will:
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Prepare students effectively for all required components of DP Language A: Language and Literature assessment.
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Guide students through the preparation and completion of the Individual Oral in accordance with IB requirements.
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Support students in selecting appropriate texts, extracts and global issues for assessed work.
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Develop students' confidence in presenting ideas clearly, analytically and persuasively.
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Support students in producing analytical and comparative writing appropriate to DP expectations.
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Prepare students effectively for examination papers and other externally assessed components.
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Support Higher Level students in completing relevant HL assessment requirements.
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Provide appropriate guidance and feedback while maintaining IB expectations regarding academic integrity.
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Participate in appropriate standardisation and moderation processes.
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Maintain accurate records of student progress and assessment.
IB Diploma Programme
The successful candidate will:
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Develop and maintain a strong understanding of the philosophy, requirements and assessment practices of the IB Diploma Programme.
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Embed relevant Approaches to Teaching and Approaches to Learning (ATL) within the Language & Literature curriculum.
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Promote the attributes of the IB Learner Profile.
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Encourage inquiry, critical thinking, communication, reflection and independent learning.
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Participate in standardisation, moderation and collaborative planning where appropriate.
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Contribute to interdisciplinary and cross-curricular opportunities across the Diploma Programme.
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Engage with relevant IB professional development and remain informed about changes to DP curriculum and assessment requirements.
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Make meaningful connections between Language & Literature and the DP Core, particularly Theory of Knowledge (TOK).
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Contribute, where appropriate, to discussions around language, knowledge, interpretation, culture and perspective across the Diploma Programme.
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Be willing to supervise Extended Essays within an appropriate subject area.
Previous IB Diploma Programme teaching experience is desirable but not essential. Appropriate professional development and IB training can be provided for teachers who are new to the Diploma Programme.
Curriculum Development
As a member of the founding Sixth Form teaching team, the successful candidate will play an important role in developing our Language & Literature provision. This may include:
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Developing schemes of work and curriculum maps for DP Language A: Language and Literature.
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Selecting an appropriate, engaging and diverse range of literary works and non-literary bodies of work.
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Developing a coherent programme that provides appropriate progression and challenge across the two-year Diploma Programme.
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Selecting appropriate textbooks, digital resources and wider reading materials.
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Developing assessment calendars and approaches to tracking student progress.
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Establishing appropriate systems for preparing and recording the Individual Oral.
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Working collaboratively with Language & Literature colleagues across the school to support progression from MYP into the Diploma Programme.
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Contributing to decisions about future Language A provision as the Sixth Form grows.
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Helping to develop a culture of reading, discussion, intellectual curiosity and academic challenge across the Sixth Form.
The successful candidate should therefore be comfortable working within a developing provision and willing to contribute ideas, expertise and initiative.
Student Support
The successful candidate will:
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Develop positive and professional relationships with Sixth Form students.
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Monitor academic progress and respond promptly where students require additional support or challenge.
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Encourage students to become increasingly responsible for managing their own learning.
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Support students in developing effective organisation, time management, reading and independent study habits.
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Encourage students to read widely and independently beyond the minimum requirements of the course.
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Support students in developing confidence when expressing and defending their ideas both orally and in writing.
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Help students manage the demands of internal assessment, examination preparation and wider reading.
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Communicate effectively with parents and carers regarding student progress where appropriate.
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Work collaboratively with pastoral and academic colleagues to support students' wellbeing and achievement.
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Contribute to university, apprenticeship and careers preparation where this relates to their subject expertise.
Wider Contribution
As a member of a new Sixth Form team, the successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the wider development of our post-16 provision. This may include:
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Supporting Sixth Form information evenings, open days and recruitment events.
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Contributing to enrichment opportunities such as author visits, theatre visits, debating, public speaking, creative writing and wider reading.
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Supporting students with university and apprenticeship applications where appropriate.
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Contributing to the development of reading, communication and academic literacy across the Sixth Form.
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Participating in relevant staff meetings, professional development and collaborative planning.
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Contributing to the development of Sixth Form policies, procedures and academic expectations.
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Supporting the continued development of the IB ethos across Liberty Woodland School.
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Playing an active role in establishing the culture and identity of our new Sixth Form.
Safeguarding
Liberty Woodland School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
The successful candidate will be expected to:
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Maintain the highest standards of professional conduct and safeguarding practice.
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Follow the school's safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures.
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Complete all required safeguarding training.
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Report concerns promptly in accordance with school procedures.
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Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with students.
The successful applicant will be subject to the school's safer recruitment procedures, including appropriate references, identity and qualification checks and an enhanced DBS check.
Person Specification
Essential
The successful candidate will:
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Have strong subject knowledge in English Language and/or English Literature.
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Have the qualifications and/or experience necessary to teach English, Language & Literature or a related subject at post-16 level.
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Demonstrate the potential to deliver high-quality IB Language A: Language and Literature teaching.
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Have a strong understanding of textual analysis and the study of literary and non-literary texts.
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Be able to develop students' analytical, interpretive, comparative and evaluative skills.
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Be able to develop sophisticated written and oral communication in students.
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Have high expectations for student achievement and personal development.
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Be able to develop positive and respectful relationships with young people.
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Understand the importance of inquiry, critical thinking, communication and independent learning within post-16 education.
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Be able to assess student work accurately and use assessment to improve learning.
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Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills.
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Demonstrate excellent organisation and interpersonal skills.
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Be willing to contribute to curriculum development within a new Sixth Form.
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Be able to work collaboratively while also demonstrating initiative and independence.
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Be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people.
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Be committed to ongoing professional learning and development.
Desirable
It would be advantageous for candidates to have:
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Previous experience teaching the IB Diploma Programme.
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Previous experience teaching IB Language A: Language and Literature.
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Experience teaching English Language and/or Literature at Key Stage 5 or an equivalent post-16 qualification.
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Experience teaching at both Standard Level and Higher Level.
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Experience preparing students for oral assessment.
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Experience teaching and assessing comparative and analytical writing.
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Experience supporting independent research and extended academic writing.
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Experience supervising Extended Essays or similar independent research projects.
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Experience with TOK, CAS or other elements of the DP Core.
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Experience contributing to the establishment or development of a new Sixth Form or academic programme.
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IB-recognised professional development or a willingness to undertake appropriate IB training.
The Person We Are Looking For
We are particularly interested in teachers who are excited by the opportunity to help build something new.
The successful candidate will be passionate about language, literature and communication and will inspire students to become thoughtful, critical and independent readers.
They will encourage students to question how language shapes meaning, influences audiences and reflects different cultures, identities and perspectives. They will be comfortable facilitating discussion and debate and will create an environment in which students are encouraged to develop and articulate their own interpretations while engaging thoughtfully with those of others.
They will be academically ambitious for students while recognising that excellent Sixth Form education involves much more than examination results. They will value relationships, independence, curiosity and the development of young people who can think critically, communicate confidently and take responsibility for their learning.
The successful candidate will be flexible and comfortable working within a growing Sixth Form where teaching hours may develop in response to student numbers and subject choices.
This part-time position, commencing in June 2027, provides an opportunity to join Liberty Woodland School at an important stage in its development and to play a significant role in establishing a distinctive, ambitious and forward-thinking Sixth Form.
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