Hurstpierpoint College - Teacher of A Level French (Part-Time or Full-Time)

Summary

We are delighted to announce an exciting opportunity for an outstanding Teacher of A Level French to join our vibrant and successful Modern Languages team. We are able to offer this role on either a part-time or full-time basis. The role is available from January 2027, or earlier by negotiation.

Detail

We are delighted to announce an exciting opportunity for an outstanding Teacher of A Level French to join our vibrant and successful Modern Languages team. We are able to offer this role on either a part-time or full-time basis, and would welcome applications from experienced teachers as well as talented and ambitious ECTs. If you are a recent French graduate looking to begin a career in teaching, we'd also be keen to speak with you.

The role is available from January 2027, or earlier by negotiation.

Hurst is one of Britain's leading independent schools, offering a vibrant and supportive environment for both pupils and staff. With almost 1,300 pupils across our Senior and Prep Schools, we combine academic ambition with a strong sense of community and a rich co-curricular programme.

Hurst is a place of genuine momentum. From the classroom to the sports field, and the theatre to the boarding house, life here is rich, varied, and relentlessly rewarding.

Ours is a community that sets its sights on excellence - not as a destination, but as a daily habit. The people who thrive here are those who bring the same ambition, resilience, and commitment that we ask of our pupils.

We don't just teach; we coach, mentor, direct, lead, and inspire, often all in the same day! The role you play here extends far beyond your core responsibilities, and that's precisely what makes it so fulfilling. If you're someone who is energised by variety, motivated by challenge, and genuinely excited by the opportunity to shape young people both inside and outside the classroom then you'll feel right at home.

You'll enjoy working in a stunning rural setting while remaining well-connected. We're just 20 minutes from the city and beaches of Brighton & Hove, and London is under an hour away by train. We also offer a vast range of staff benefits, including free onsite accommodation, free meals during term time, use of our exceptional sports facilities, access to wellbeing initiatives, and extensive opportunities for professional development.

This isn't just a job. It's a commitment to something bigger. For the right person, there is nowhere more exciting to be.

The French Department is located in a modern, purpose-built classroom block and is a well-staffed department, including a foreign language assistant who provides speaking sessions to pupils in the Fifth Form, Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth.

French is a popular subject at GCSE, with a number of pupils choosing to continue their study of the language to A Level. We follow the Edexcel iGCSE and have achieved an average of 75% 7-9 grades at GCSE in recent years. In the Prep School, the vast majority of pupils study both French and Spanish, and in the Senior School all pupils choose to study one or two languages from French and Spanish.

Our main aim is to ensure that pupils can understand spoken and written language and express themselves confidently, both orally and in writing. We focus on both form and fluency, so that pupils understand meaning, can communicate meaning, and understand the grammatical systems of the French language. Much of our teaching is conducted in French, with English used for the explanation of grammar points and for clarification. Alongside traditional textbooks, we make considerable use of interactive online audio and video resources, including Languagenut.com, together with authentic materials from other sources, particularly at A Level.

Our schemes of work at KS3 and into KS4 are built around Gianfranco Conti's MARSEARS pedagogical approach to language learning, and staff have the opportunity for internal and external CPD in this method of teaching. The Department also aims to provide annual trips for pupils in Years 10 to 13, promoting and consolidating language learning and fostering a love of French culture and history.

We aim to broaden pupils' knowledge of literary and political culture through activities such as film modules in Years 9 and 11, Sixth Form film nights, food festivals, podcasts, and celebratory French restaurant trips for Year 13, alongside the study of seminal French texts and films. The Department aims to engender an enthusiasm for languages that encourages pupils to achieve the highest levels of academic success, while giving them important transferable skills.

The successful candidate will have experience of teaching French at A Level, with a proven track record of success, or will be able to demonstrate the potential to do so. They will be fluent in French, proactive, organised, and will place the needs of young people at the forefront of everything they do.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in French, Modern Languages, or a closely related subject.
• Qualified Teacher Status desirable.
• Fluency in French, both spoken and written.
• Proven success of teaching French to A Level, or clear potential to do so.
• Proven track record of excellence in an education setting.
• Strong evidence of continuous professional development.

• A highly competitive salary and benefits, including membership of The Teachers' Pension Scheme, pro-rated for part-time appointments.
• Free dining and refreshment facilities during term time.
• Remission of fees in line with the School Fees Discount Policy.
• An engaging and collaborative environment with excellent facilities and an enviable stock of the latest equipment available.
• A chance to shape the talent of engaged students who are genuinely interested in the subject, including opportunities to immerse students in Co-Curricular experiences.
• Extensive professional development programmes, together with career opportunities across the College and Hurst Education Trust.

And a host of other excellent benefits.

Hurstpierpoint College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.