At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and deliver engaging MFL lessons, supporting student progress and curriculum development.
- Company: Join a supportive, values-driven secondary school in Manchester.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, long-term placement, and dedicated support from experienced consultants.
- Other info: Opportunity for leadership within the MFL department and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' language skills and cultural understanding.
- Qualifications: QTS or equivalent, experience in teaching MFL, and strong subject knowledge.
Smile Education are currently recruiting a qualified Programme Leader for Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) to work within a secondary school in Manchester. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced and committed MFL specialist to join a supportive, values-led school with high expectations for teaching, learning, curriculum quality, and student outcomes. The role is suitable for a strong MFL practitioner who is confident leading within a department, delivering high-quality language teaching, and supporting wider curriculum development. The position is expected to run on a long-term basis, with flexibility around the start date depending on the needs of the school.
The school is looking for someone who can uphold excellent standards of pedagogy, contribute to strategic planning and quality assurance, and help ensure students leave with strong outcomes in MFL and the confidence to succeed in their future learning.
Role Overview
As Programme Leader for MFL, you will be responsible for delivering high-quality Modern Foreign Languages lessons across KS3 and KS4, with potential KS5 depending on the placement. You will support students in developing strong language skills, cultural understanding, confidence, and progress. Alongside classroom teaching, you will contribute to the wider leadership and development of the MFL department. This may include supporting curriculum planning, quality assurance, staff development, departmental priorities, and the continued improvement of teaching and learning. You will be expected to quickly integrate into the school, build positive relationships with pupils and staff, and uphold the ethos and values of the school community. The successful candidate will bring strong subject knowledge, confident leadership, and a proactive approach to raising standards across MFL.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan and deliver engaging MFL lessons in line with the national curriculum.
- Teach Modern Foreign Languages across KS3 and KS4, with KS5 experience advantageous.
- Lead and support high standards of pedagogy, classroom practice, and student progress.
- Contribute to strategic planning and quality assurance within the MFL department.
- Support curriculum development, assessment, and departmental improvement.
- Help ensure students achieve strong outcomes in MFL and are well prepared for future learning.
- Respond proactively to emerging departmental needs and priorities.
- Support staff development and share effective practice where required.
- Create a positive, inclusive learning environment for all pupils.
- Differentiating lessons to meet the needs of students of varying abilities, including SEND.
- Effectively manage classroom behaviour in line with school policies.
- Assess and monitor student progress where required.
- Contribute positively to the wider school community and departmental team.
- Uphold professional standards, safeguarding expectations, and school ethos.
Requirements
- Hold QTS or an equivalent recognised teaching qualification.
- Have experience teaching MFL in a UK secondary school.
- Demonstrate strong subject knowledge in Modern Foreign Languages.
- Have experience leading, coordinating, or contributing to departmental initiatives.
- Be confident delivering high-quality lessons across KS3 and KS4.
- Have the ability to support strong student progress and outcomes.
- Demonstrate strong pedagogy, classroom practice, and behaviour management.
- Be able to contribute to curriculum planning, assessment, quality assurance, and wider departmental improvement.
- Show a proactive approach to emerging departmental needs and priorities.
- Be professional, reliable, reflective, and adaptable.
- Be able to quickly settle into a new school environment.
- Hold an Enhanced DBS on the Update Service, or be willing to obtain one.
- Have the right to work in the UK.
Pay & Benefits
- £37,050–£54,600 per year, dependent on experience, pay scale, and role responsibilities.
- Long-term placement.
- Opportunity to work within a supportive and values-driven secondary school.
- Leadership responsibility within Modern Foreign Languages.
- Dedicated support from experienced education consultants.
- Ongoing guidance throughout the placement.
- Opportunity to build strong relationships with local Manchester schools, with potential for future roles.
Safeguarding & Compliance
Smile Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be required to complete full compliance checks, including Enhanced DBS, Barred List and Prohibited List checks, right to work verification, qualification checks, and reference checks. All staff are expected to share this commitment and uphold the highest professional standards.
Apply Now
If you are a passionate and qualified MFL specialist looking for a long-term Programme Leader role in Manchester, we would love to hear from you. Apply today with Smile Education or send your CV to (url removed). We are committed to safeguarding children. Each applicant will be expected to undertake compliance checks including Prohibited list, Barred list, DBS and Qualifications.
MFL Programme Leader in Middleton employer: Smile Education Recruitment
Smile Education is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and values-driven environment for MFL specialists in Manchester. With a commitment to high teaching standards and student outcomes, employees benefit from leadership opportunities, dedicated support from experienced consultants, and the chance to build strong relationships within the local educational community. This long-term role not only fosters professional growth but also allows educators to make a meaningful impact on students' language skills and cultural understanding.
Contact Details:
Smile Education Recruitment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land MFL Programme Leader in Middleton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the education sector, attend local job fairs, and join online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about opportunities before they even hit the job boards.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the school and its values. Tailor your responses to show how your teaching philosophy aligns with their mission. We want to see you shine, so practice common interview questions and have examples ready that showcase your leadership and teaching skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It keeps you on their radar and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing that MFL Programme Leader role. We’re all about making connections, and applying directly can help us match you with the right opportunities faster!
We think you need these skills to ace MFL Programme Leader in Middleton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the MFL Programme Leader role. Highlight your teaching experience, leadership roles, and any curriculum development work you've done. We want to see how you can contribute to our values-led school!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about teaching MFL and how your approach aligns with our high expectations for teaching and learning. Be genuine and let your personality come through – we love a bit of character!
Showcase Your Pedagogical Skills:In your application, emphasise your strong subject knowledge and effective teaching strategies. Share examples of how you've supported student progress and created inclusive learning environments. We’re keen to see how you can uphold excellent standards in pedagogy!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re proactive – a quality we value highly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Smile Education Recruitment
✨Know Your Subject Inside Out
As an MFL Programme Leader, it's crucial to demonstrate strong subject knowledge. Brush up on the latest curriculum changes and be ready to discuss how you would deliver engaging lessons across KS3 and KS4. Think about specific examples of successful lessons you've taught and how they contributed to student outcomes.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires confident leadership within the MFL department. Prepare to share your experiences in leading teams or initiatives. Think about how you've supported staff development or contributed to strategic planning in previous roles, and be ready to discuss your approach to fostering a positive team environment.
✨Emphasise Your Adaptability
Schools are looking for someone who can quickly integrate into their community. Be prepared to talk about how you've adapted to new environments in the past. Highlight your proactive approach to addressing departmental needs and how you’ve successfully managed classroom behaviour while maintaining high standards.
✨Connect with the School's Values
Research the school’s ethos and values before your interview. Be ready to explain how your teaching philosophy aligns with theirs. Discuss how you create inclusive learning environments and support students of varying abilities, including those with SEND, to ensure everyone achieves strong outcomes in MFL.
