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- Tasks: Lead and inspire the Modern Languages department at a prestigious girls' school.
- Company: Wycombe Abbey is a world-class boarding school for girls, fostering excellence in education.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, parking, sports facilities, and generous pension schemes.
- Why this job: Join a vibrant, multicultural environment that values innovation and staff wellbeing.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and a passion for teaching modern languages are essential.
- Other info: This role includes a probationary period and requires an enhanced DBS check.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The following content displays a map of the jobs location – High Wycombe
This is a full-time, permanent contract. The first six months will be a probationary period.
Location: High Wycombe
Closing Date: 16/03/2025
Job Category: Teaching
Region / Division: Wycombe Abbey
Department: Modern Languages
Job Introduction
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.
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.
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 see the job profile document for full information about this role. To apply, please complete an application form and submit this, together with a covering letter, to the Headmistress, Mrs J Duncan. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HR Team on 01494 895575 or
Closing date for applications: Sunday 16 March 2025
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.
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).
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.
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.
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Head of Modern Languages employer: WYCOMBE ABBEY
Contact Detail:
WYCOMBE ABBEY Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Modern Languages
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the unique multicultural environment at Wycombe Abbey. Highlight your experience in managing diverse language programs and how you can contribute to this vibrant department.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by discussing any previous roles where you successfully led a team or department. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you inspired and motivated your colleagues.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the latest trends in language education and be ready to discuss innovative teaching methods that could enhance the curriculum at Wycombe Abbey. This will demonstrate your commitment to providing an outstanding education.
✨Tip Number 4
Engage with the school's community by attending events or connecting with current staff on social media. This will give you insights into the school culture and help you tailor your approach during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Modern Languages
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take time to thoroughly read the job description for the Head of Modern Languages position. Understand the responsibilities and expectations, especially regarding leadership and management within a multicultural environment.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should reflect your passion for teaching modern languages and your vision for leading the department. Highlight your relevant experience, teaching philosophy, and how you plan to inspire both students and staff.
Complete the Application Form Carefully: Fill out the application form with attention to detail. Ensure that all sections are completed accurately and that your qualifications and experiences align with the requirements of the role.
Prepare for the DBS Check: Be ready to declare any unspent convictions or cautions as required by the school. Familiarize yourself with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 to ensure compliance during the application process.
How to prepare for a job interview at WYCOMBE ABBEY
✨Show Your Passion for Languages
As the Head of Modern Languages, it's crucial to convey your enthusiasm for teaching and learning languages. Share personal experiences that highlight your love for languages and how it has shaped your teaching philosophy.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you plan to manage a diverse department. Provide examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, especially in multicultural settings.
✨Engage with Multiculturalism
Given the vibrant mix of languages and cultures at Wycombe Abbey, be ready to discuss how you would foster an inclusive environment. Share strategies for engaging students from various linguistic backgrounds and promoting cultural appreciation.
✨Highlight Innovative Teaching Methods
Discuss innovative and effective teaching methods you have used or plan to implement. Be prepared to explain how these methods can enhance student engagement and learning outcomes in a modern languages context.
