Teacher of Classics (one-term cover)

Overview

Required for: January 2026

Location: Dean\’s Yard – Westminster School

Contract: full-time or part-time. Part-time candidates must be able to commit to 0.75 of the timetable, taking place across Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturday mornings.

Salary: Westminster School has its own salary scale, and new members of staff are placed at a point relevant to their qualifications and experience. Details of salary will be discussed at interview with those candidates who are short-listed.

The deadline for applications is midday on Wednesday 1st October 2025. Interviews will take place w/c 6th October 2025.

We are looking for a well-qualified Classics graduate who will be able to teach throughout the School at all ages and ability levels. They need to be able to teach Latin and Greek language and literature, ideally up to A level with expert knowledge and insight and to inspire in the pupils a lively enthusiasm for the cultural riches of Classical antiquity. A readiness to teach Latin or Greek prose composition would be advantageous. If the successful candidate is not available to teach a full timetable over the whole School week (Monday-Saturday morning); there is scope to negotiate a part-time (0.75) timetable over 4.5 days. Prior teaching experience is highly desirable, but we welcome candidates who are new to teaching. We have previously employed both qualified and unqualified teachers, and there is a great deal of support within the department for people at the beginning of their teaching career. The Head of Department will provide detailed schemes of work and specific guidance, and will offer support at all stages.

If you would like to discuss this post informally, please contact the Head of Classics, Mrs Rachel Collier, Rachel.collier@westminster.org.uk.

Classics at Westminster

Classics is thriving at Westminster, both in the classroom and via its rich and extensive co-curricular contribution. The department comprises six full-time colleagues in total and has an enthusiastic, dedicated and supportive atmosphere. We have a strong commitment to rigorous and stretching language teaching: at all levels the pupils learn to translate into the target language, and all Upper School pupils study prose composition. Our schemes of work take the pupils far outside and beyond the linguistic and literary prescriptions of the public examinations (OCR), roving across the gamut of the Classical disciplines. Our focus on high standards of teaching and learning leads our pupils to exceptional results at GCSE, A level and university entrance.

Currently all pupils study Latin in Year 9 and the majority also study Greek; in subsequent years both subjects are optional. Typically each year about 50 pupils sit GCSE Latin, about 25 GCSE Greek. In the Upper School, about 25 pupils per year group study Latin, about 8 Greek; typically around 10 pupils per year secure places to study Classics at the most prestigious universities.

Opportunities abound for visits to the world-class museums, universities and theatre on our doorstep in central London, as well as for cross-disciplinary initiatives with other departments and trips further afield and abroad. Other Classical co-curricular activities include in-house theatrical productions, publication of an annual magazine, our hosting of an annual London-area Classical reading competition, and pupil-led lunchtime talks.

The Teacher of Classics reports to the Head of Classics. All Teachers are responsible to the Deputy Head (Academic) on academic matters, to the Under Master on matters of discipline, pastoral, welfare and safeguarding, and ultimately to the Head Master.

Teaching and Learning

The Teacher of Classics is expected to:

• Plan, prepare, teach and evaluate lessons, activities and learning and teaching strategies in line with Schemes of Work.
• Apply, where appropriate, technology capability to enhance learning and teaching.
• Provide a safe, secure and stimulating environment in which consideration is given to the individual development of all pupils.
• Differentiate learning and teaching and associated resources in a manner that challenges and interests the pupils and is appropriate to their needs and skill levels.
• Apply any recommendations and guidance for pupils with specific learning or welfare needs or disabilities, as directed by the Director of Teaching and Learning/SENCO, or on the pupil’s personalised learning plan.
• Contribute to and maintain consistency with internal and relevant external marking schedules and moderation procedures.
• Engage pupils fully in the assessment and self-evaluation process.
• Carry out a range of formative assessments of pupils’ attainment to acknowledge and inform progress.
• Record and report on pupil progress and achievements in accordance with the School’s requirements, including formal reporting points such as parents’ evenings and written reports.

All teachers at the School are expected to:

• Promote and support the School’s Aims and Vision and School Development Plan.
• Adhere to and support the School’s policies and procedures.
• Accept responsibility for the welfare and care of all pupils, at all times.
• Undertake break and supervisory duties as designated by Senior Management
• Cover classes for absent colleagues as directed by Senior Management.
• Attend staff meetings, parents’ evenings and other meetings and school events, such as the Carol Service and school concerts, outside normal hours.
• Attend relevant school trips, normally including one residential visit per year.
• Undertake any other duties or tasks as the Head Master, the Under Master or the Governing Body may reasonably require.
• Engage positively in and contribute to INSET activities offered by the School.
• Be involved in new initiatives within the School as part of ongoing professional development.
• Take an active interest in maintaining subject knowledge, learning networks and current educational research.
• Respect all members of the school community, irrespective of position, gender, age, ethnic background or any other protected characteristic.
• Pastoral care and pupil management.
• Put pupils at the centre of everything you do, taking a pastoral interest in pupils around the School, so that they feel valued and cared for.
• Monitor the welfare of class pupils, providing guidance, advice and support, and fostering self-esteem.
• Motivate pupils through rewards opportunities.
• Actively maintain the high standards of behaviour and uniform of pupils in the classroom and in all school locations and activities.
• Write and maintain relevant records for individual pupil files and writing reports.
• Communicate, respond to and consult with parents on a regular basis maintaining records, as appropriate.
• Communicate and consult with other departments or members of staff to implement recommendations, policies or guidance.