Westminster School - German Language Assistant

South West London
Westminster School
Part-time

Summary

We are currently seeking to fill the position of German Language Assistant.

Detail

Required for: September 2025, though we are willing to consider candidates who can start in October 2025

Location: Dean's Yard - Great School

Contract: part-time, term-time only, permanent

Hours of work: 0.4 FTE of the timetable, details of which will be discussed at interview

Salary: The salary for this role is £16,494.60 per annum based on 0.4 FTE of the timetable. The role is term-time only.

The deadline for applications is 09:00 on Monday 24th March 2025. Interviews will take place in-person on Friday 28th March 2025.

The Modern Languages Department at Westminster strives to be the very best in England. We pride ourselves not just in our high levels of participation and excellent outcomes, but in our ethos and approach: this is a Department in which pupils feel supported, valued and challenged. Through our teaching, pupils learn to communicate in a new language, but they also value the opportunities to learn about cultures and identities beyond our shores, and learn to see the world through new eyes.

All pupils study French to IGCSE level, and have a good linguistic grounding thanks to this. They also learn Latin at least until the end of Year 9. The majority of pupils pick a second modern language from Year 10 – either German, Mandarin, Russian or Spanish. In these languages, we offer an accelerated 2-year (I)GCSE course. Languages remain popular in Key Stage 5: in a typical year, around 60 pupils take at least one language as an A-level subject. We have an excellent track record of preparing significant numbers of pupils for undergraduate study in Modern Languages at top universities in the UK and abroad.

Trips and visits abroad are an important part of our job, and typically we run expeditions to France, Germany, Spain and the Baltic. The Department is home to a number of language-related pupil-led societies, covering French, German, Spanish, Slavic Languages, multilingual debating and linguistics. We encourage our pupils to participate in a full range of competitions, from the UK Linguistics Olympiad to various essay, public speaking and creative translation competitions which take place throughout the year.

About the Role

The successful candidate will be a passionate linguist and ambassador for the German language. Pupils hugely appreciate the time they spend with our Language Assistants, and they recognise the unique contribution that these colleagues make. We expect all Language Assistants to be fluent and highly literate speakers of their language. The German Assistant will teach KS4 pupils in small groups, and KS5 pupils 1:1, in pairs or in small groups.

The successful candidate will focus on pupils’ oral proficiency and work nearly exclusively in the target language. They will be patient and encouraging of our pupils, and seek to enamour our learners of German language and Germanophone culture. In the Lower School (Years 9 to 11), the emphasis is on developing confidence and fluency, whereas in the Upper School (Years 12 and 13) we aim for our pupils to become more convincing, independent and creative users of the language. In both cases, the successful candidate will work together with the class teacher to ensure that oral lessons complement the overall curriculum and teaching approach.

The successful candidate will also show a willingness to be involved in the wider life of the department, such as supporting the running of Societies and events. The Language Assistant is not, however, required to write reports or attend Parents Evenings.

Line Manager

The German Assistant reports to the Head of German and on some occasions to the Head of Modern Languages. All academic staff 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

Help ensure the quality of teaching and learning is consistently excellent across the School, through stimulating and challenging oral lessons in German
Plan, prepare, teach and evaluate oral sessions in line with the Schemes of Work. For German specifically, this will include small-group lessons of 20 mins each during lesson time for Year 11, 12 and 13 and/or 1:1 or 1:2 lessons of 15-20 mins each during lunchtime, pupils’ free periods or before/after school for pupils in Years 12 and 13, in addition to the above

Provide a safe, secure and stimulating environment in which consideration is given to the individual development of all pupils
Identify and make use of culturally relevant and linguistically appropriate stimulus materials
Adapt sessions in a manner that challenges and interests the pupils and is appropriate to their needs and proficiency levels
Apply any recommendations and guidance for pupils with specific learning or welfare needs or disabilities, as directed by the Head of Learning Development, or by the pupil’s personalised learning plan
Give supportive advice and guidance to pupils on how to develop their oral proficiency by identifying areas of pronunciation, grammar, idiom or vocabulary which they can improve
Encourage pupils to take responsibility for their progress by maintaining high expectations of punctuality, attendance and learning behaviours
Apply, where appropriate, appropriate technological tools and apps to enhance learning and teaching
Preparation of thematic materials for A-level candidates to aid revision

Pastoral Care and Pupil Management

Put pupils at the centre of all teaching and learning, taking a pastoral interest in pupils around the School, so that they feel valued and cared for
Foster pupils’ self-esteem in their oral lessons
Motivate pupils through praise, while being firm but fair in expectations
Actively maintain the high standards of behaviour and uniform of pupils in the classroom and in all school locations and activities
Communicate and consult with other departments or members of staff to implement recommendations, policies or guidance as needed

All teaching colleagues are expected to:

Promote and support the School’s Aims and Vision and the 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
Attend relevant training and INSET days
Take an active interest in maintaining subject knowledge