Head of Modern Foreign Languages

With the departure of our longstanding Head of Department, this is an outstanding opportunity for an inspirational practitioner to lead our Modern Foreign Languages Department.

The position seeks an inspirational leader and gifted practitioner to develop further the standards and work of a very successful department. The objective will be to continue to raise standards of learning, teaching and outcomes, building with sensitivity and flair on the achievements of an already strong team.

The Glasgow Academy is an ambitious, warm, welcoming, thriving and forward-thinking fully co-educational HMC independent day school of around 1700 pupils aged 3-18. It is highly popular, growing in a planned way over the last 14 years. It consists of the Senior School, of around 850 pupils of 11-18 years of age, and a Preparatory School (which has three sites all of which has a Nursery/Kindergarten). Recruitment at the school is very strong at every age group. We have a long tradition of fostering academic excellence and we are proud of our pupils’ achievements. Results in external examinations are consistently among the best in the country. The Academy topped The Times' league table for national academic rankings in 2024 for all Scottish exam qualifications (National 5/Highers/Advanced Highers). Our pass rate at Higher for 2023/2024 was 96% with 74% of entries awarded A grades. The National 5 A-C pass rate was 99% with the A pass rate at 86%. In S6, the pass rate was 92% for Advanced Higher with 52% of entries awarded grade A. Beyond academic achievement we want all of our pupils to thrive and contribute to a rapidly developing modern world and to do that we must ensure they leave The Academy with a socially conscious, innovative and global outlook. Our aim is that we provide our pupils with rich learning experiences that best prepare them for life after The Academy also places value on the importance of sustainable education for future generations.

The person must be passionate about motivating young people, inspiring excellence, and providing great pastoral care. You will have an enthusiastic "can do, will do" attitude and will instil high standards and high expectations in children, plus the belief that ability is not fixed and that abilities can be developed considerably through sensibly focused endeavour. You will have the confidence to lead - to shape a vision, and to take the team with you, working collaboratively and inspiring continued growth, reflection and improvement. Some experience of leadership and management would be very welcome but is not a pre-requisite for the right candidate. You will care deeply about children’s success and will be skilled at motivating children and colleagues to work to their full potential. Above all, you will work very hard and effectively for the young people and colleagues in your department. A willingness to participate in some aspect of the school’s co-curricular programme, Combined Cadet Force (CCF), or Duke of Edinburgh programme is expected of teaching staff.

The Department consists currently of the Head of Department, with six other teachers. There are also French language specialists in the Prep School, along with a French and a Spanish assistant attached to the Senior School. French is taught from P1 to S6 at our main Kelvinbridge campus and from P1 at our two sites in Milngavie and Newlands. Pupils sit exams at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher in both French and Spanish, and National 5 in Mandarin. All pupils study either French or Spanish or both to National 5, with the exception of a few who choose to study only Latin or Mandarin. The Department runs several highly successful annual trips including to Madrid, Barcelona and Geneva, and have taken pupils to many other French or Spanish speaking locations over recent years. We pride ourselves in making all our children’s learning experience enjoyable, challenging and contemporary, while at the same time producing strong SQA results. To foster a love of languages, we expect the department to run events across the school, and a range of clubs at lunch or after school.

Job Specification for Heads of Department includes responsibilities such as:

• Determine, monitor and review the aims, objectives and targets for the Department to ensure compatibility with those of The Academy.
• Produce and update suitable comprehensive schemes of work, ensuring the use of appropriate methodologies.
• Quality assure the work of the Department, monitoring and evaluating all aspects of its work, focusing especially on learning and teaching.
• Monitor the work and assessment of pupils, ensuring that homework is appropriately set and marked.
• Ensure that all members of the Department are aware of all pupils in their classes who require learning support.
• Contribute to overall curriculum planning, policy making and the ethos of The Academy.
• Implement whole school policies.
• Keep up to date in the subject and educational developments.
• Prepare an annual Quality and Standards report for discussion with the Rector.
• Chair weekly minuted Departmental meetings.
• Work closely with the relevant Prep School Subject Coordinator.
• Act as a role model in delivering inspirational learning and teaching.
• Support staff in ensuring high standards of behaviour.
• Play a major part in the selection and appointment of staff to the Department.
• Induct new staff and ensure they are fully conversant with Academy procedures.
• Encourage the professional development of staff.
• Create a coherently structured Departmental team.
• Formulate a Departmental assessment policy consistent with School procedures.
• Prepare and update regularly a Departmental handbook for staff.
• Compile and manage the Departmental budget in line with The Academy’s objectives.

The appointment is for August 2025 and is a full-time permanent post. All teachers at The Academy must be registered with the General Teaching Council Scotland. The Academy Salary Scale runs in six unequal increments, with placing on the scale according to experience. The salary includes a competitive allowance for Head of Department responsibilities. A very competitive defined contribution pension scheme is also available.

The Glasgow Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and all appointments are subject to membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. It is a legal requirement that all employees must demonstrate that they are entitled to live and work in the UK.

Applications should be made using the official application form and must be submitted by email to recruitment@tga.org.uk by 4pm on Friday 7 March. Interviews will take place shortly afterwards.