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- Tasks: Lead and manage the Modern Languages Department, inspiring students to reach their full potential.
- Company: Wycombe Abbey is a prestigious girls' boarding school with a rich heritage and beautiful campus.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, parking, sports center access, and a generous pension scheme.
- Why this job: Join a vibrant multicultural environment and shape the future of young learners in languages.
- Qualifications: Strong teaching experience and leadership skills in modern languages are essential.
- Other info: Applications close on March 16, 2025; early applications may be considered.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Wycombe Abbey has its own pay scale which compares favourably with other independent schools and is well above that of the maintained sector.
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.
Wycombe Abbey has 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.
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 has its own salary scale which compares favourably with other independent schools and is well above that of the maintained sector.
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 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 .
Closing date for applications: Sunday 16 March 2025.
Interview date: Thursday 27 March 2025.
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.
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 Wycombe Abbey's unique educational philosophy and values. Understanding their commitment to multiculturalism and innovative teaching methods will help you align your vision for the Modern Languages Department with theirs.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your leadership experience in managing diverse language programs. Be prepared to discuss specific strategies you've implemented in previous roles that fostered an engaging and challenging learning environment for students.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your ability to inspire curiosity and a love for languages among students. Think of examples where you've successfully motivated pupils to explore new languages or cultures, as this aligns with the school's mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with current or former staff members at Wycombe Abbey if possible. Gaining insights into the school culture and expectations can give you a competitive edge 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 the time to thoroughly read the job description for the Head of Modern Languages position. Understand the responsibilities and expectations, as well as the unique aspects of Wycombe Abbey's educational philosophy.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a tailored cover letter that highlights your relevant experience and passion for modern languages education. Make sure to connect your teaching philosophy with the values of Wycombe Abbey, emphasizing your ability to inspire and lead.
Prepare Your Application Form: Complete the application form carefully, ensuring all sections are filled out accurately. Pay attention to detail and make sure your qualifications and experiences align with the requirements outlined in the job profile.
Highlight Your Multicultural Experience: Given the diverse nature of the Modern Languages Department, emphasize any multicultural experiences or language proficiencies you possess. This will demonstrate your ability to connect with students from various backgrounds and enhance their learning experience.
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 inspire and manage a diverse team of language teachers. Provide examples of past experiences where you've successfully led a team or implemented innovative teaching strategies.
✨Emphasize Multicultural Awareness
Given the vibrant multicultural environment at Wycombe Abbey, be ready to discuss how you would promote inclusivity and celebrate diversity within the Modern Languages Department. Share ideas on how to engage students from various linguistic backgrounds.
✨Prepare for Curriculum Discussions
Familiarize yourself with current trends in language education and be prepared to discuss how you would enhance the curriculum. Think about how you can make language learning engaging and relevant for students aged 11-18.
