Harrow School - Post Graduate Assistant Teacher of French and Spanish

Location: North West London
School: Harrow School
Type: Full-time | Fixed Term
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Summary

The School seeks to appoint a Post-Graduate Assistant Teacher of French and Spanish from September 2026

Detail

An opportunity has arisen at Harrow for a Post Graduate Assistant Teacher (PGAT) of French and Spanish from September 2026.

The post comes with a generous package, including:

- Rent-free accommodation provided on the Hill;
- Health cover provided free of charge for you and at a reduced rate for any members of your immediate family that you may wish to add;
- All meals are provided free of charge during term time.

PGAT appointments are fixed term contracts and are typically for one academic year, with the possibility of the contract being renewed for a second year. PGATs teach a reduced timetable, typically including no more than 20 timetabled lessons of 40 minute duration per week, and assist in departments more generally in ways appropriate to their experience and ability. The School provides training in skills both related to teaching and transferable to other professions. The role of PGAT will allow those interested in pursuing a career in teaching to gain directly relevant experience and training, and those more likely to move into another profession beyond the end of their time at Harrow to acquire skills beneficial for their future careers in other areas, including banking, consultancy and the law.

The Modern Languages department is one of the largest departments in the School with good results achieved in all languages at all levels. The principal languages taught are French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Russian and Spanish, all to A Level. There are currently 31 members of staff: seventeen teach on the timetable, and eleven teach off the timetable. In addition, we have a French, German and Spanish language assistant, some of whom also offer off -timetable lessons. In addition to our principal languages, we teach: Arabic, Cantonese, Modern Greek, Hindi, Farsi, Swedish and Polish.

All boys start out with two languages in their first year at Harrow. At least one modern language is compulsory for all boys to GCSE with a good number of boys studying two or even more. There are approximately 160 boys in a year group, and usually some 60 -70 boys pursue a modern language in the Sixth Form. Boys are prepared for the Edexcel GCSE and A level qualifications. Some languages also offer trips and exchanges.

All members of the department are housed in the purpose -built Modern Languages Schools, where classrooms are equipped with smart boards or projectors that work with Microsoft Surface devices, which are issued to all members of staff and boys across the School. Much of the lesson material is on OneNote and Teams, and teachers use a variety of online resources to support teaching and learning. There is a Modern Languages staffroom with full photocopying facilities. It is a place where members of staff like to unwind and have a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit.

Members of the department are encouraged to use their own initiative in terms of teaching style and methodology, whilst following general guidelines that require grammatical and academic rigour as well as oral proficiency

Please note that applications will be considered as they are received. The School reserves the right to appoint at any time in the process.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are values that are important to us at Harrow. We believe in diversity of thought and actively welcome everyone regardless of their background to bring their valuable and relevant skills to our community.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All successful applicants must be willing to undergo enhanced child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with any past employer and the Disclosure and Barring Service. It is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.