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- Tasks: Lead and inspire the Modern Languages department at a top girls' boarding school.
- Company: Wycombe Abbey, a prestigious full-boarding school for girls.
- Benefits: Generous pension scheme, fee remission, free meals, and access to sports facilities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of students in a vibrant, multicultural environment.
- Qualifications: Strong teaching experience and leadership skills in modern languages.
- Other info: Join a supportive community focused on innovation and staff wellbeing.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Are you ready to step up to the ultimate challenge to be Head of Modern Languages at the nation’s top girls’ boarding school? This is an exciting opportunity for a strong and inspirational teacher to take on a significant leadership and management role as Head of Modern Languages. The Head of Modern Languages will have overall responsibility for leading and managing the department, ensuring that all subjects are taught in an interesting and challenging manner to realise each pupil’s potential.
The Modern Languages Department is a busy department with a vibrant mélange of native, bilingual, trilingual and fluent speakers of a vast array of languages. Multiculturalism defines this eclectic department, and a stroll through the corridors will treat your ear to snippets of conversations in a whole range of languages from Arabic to Italian to Russian and Urdu.
Wycombe Abbey is a world-class full-boarding school for girls, located on a beautiful site in the centre of High Wycombe. With its distinctive heritage, magnificent 170-acre campus and impressive resources, the School provides an outstanding education for 650 pupils aged 11-18. We have been at the forefront of girls’ boarding education for over 125 years. Superb academic outcomes are the School’s hallmark and pupils regularly secure places at the most prestigious universities across the globe. Known for its world-class education, Wycombe Abbey encourages curiosity, innovation, leadership and delight in learning among its pupils.
The School benefits from easy access to London (24 minutes to Marylebone), the Chiltern Hills and attractive towns such as Marlow, Henley-on-Thames and Beaconsfield. Heathrow is also just 20 miles away plus good transport links to other London airports. Wycombe Abbey has its own salary scale which compares favourably with other independent schools and is well above that of the maintained sector.
The successful candidate will teach a reduced timetable to reflect the Head of Department responsibilities. Benefits of working at Wycombe Abbey include:
- Enrolment in the School’s generous pension scheme.
- Fee school remission at Wycombe Abbey and selected prep schools.
- Free parking.
- Free meals.
- Free use of the Sports Centre.
- Free eye tests.
- Access to the Employee Assistance Programme.
To apply, please complete an application form and submit this, together with a covering letter, to the Headmistress, Mrs J Duncan by selecting “Apply for this job”. Should you have any questions then please do not hesitate to contact the HR Team on 01494 895575 or hr@wycombeabbey.com.
Closing date for applications: 1 March 2026
Interview date: 9 March 2026
We reserve the right to appoint to this position before the closing date, should we receive a high volume of suitable early applications. Wycombe Abbey is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check. It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity with children.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore all applicants are required to declare:
- All unspent convictions and conditional cautions.
- All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020).
Further information regarding filtered convictions, please refer to Filtering Guidance by the Ministry of Justice and Nacro Guidance. We are an equal opportunities employer. Registered Charity No. 310638. Wycombe Abbey is a Disability Confident Committed Employer.
About the School: Wycombe Abbey is an exceptional place for our pupils to learn and our staff to work. Working here you will be part of a world class school and community of 420 staff and 650 pupils. We are committed to encouraging curiosity, bold ideas, innovation, leadership and delight in learning – not just in the pupils, but in our staff body too, both teaching and support staff. We are looking for people who can bring new ideas, a passion for their area of expertise, skills and enthusiasm that will enrich our community as well as encourage our pupils to do their best.
Life at Wycombe Abbey goes beyond the job title. We encourage staff to be fully involved in School life and offer a rewarding working environment, generous employee benefits package, continuous professional development and an emphasis on staff wellbeing throughout your time with us. Whether you are a member of the teaching staff, House staff or support staff, you will be part of the whole team at Wycombe Abbey. Everyone at School plays their part in inspiring our pupils to strive for ambitious goals and to recognise that they can make a positive difference in the world, now and in the future.
Head of Modern Languages in High Wycombe employer: The Independent Schools Council
Contact Detail:
The Independent Schools Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Modern Languages in High Wycombe
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former staff at Wycombe Abbey through LinkedIn or alumni groups. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the school's ethos and values. Show us how your teaching style aligns with their commitment to curiosity and innovation. Bring examples of how you've inspired students in the past!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just focus on your qualifications; highlight your passion for languages and multiculturalism. Share stories that showcase your experience with diverse student backgrounds and how you’ve made learning engaging for all.
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Wycombe Abbey community. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Modern Languages in High Wycombe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for modern languages shine through! We want to see how your love for teaching and languages can inspire our pupils. Share personal anecdotes or experiences that highlight your passion.
Tailor Your Cover Letter: Make sure your cover letter is tailored specifically to the Head of Modern Languages role. Highlight your leadership experience and how you plan to manage a diverse department. We’re looking for someone who can bring fresh ideas to the table!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and vision for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the position. Plus, it shows you’re tech-savvy, which is a bonus in today’s digital world!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Independent Schools Council
✨Know Your Languages
Brush up on the languages you’ll be overseeing. Be ready to discuss your experience with different languages and how you can inspire students from diverse backgrounds. Show that you understand the multicultural environment of the department.
✨Leadership Style Matters
Think about your leadership approach and how it aligns with the school's values. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team or managed a classroom, especially in a diverse setting. Highlight your ability to foster collaboration and innovation.
✨Engage with the School's Vision
Familiarise yourself with Wycombe Abbey’s ethos and educational philosophy. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to their mission of encouraging curiosity and delight in learning. Show enthusiasm for being part of a world-class educational community.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
Have a list of insightful questions ready to ask during the interview. This could include inquiries about the department's current projects, challenges they face, or how they measure success. It shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
