Head of Modern Foreign Languages

HEAD OF MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES    FROM SEPTEMBER 2026Appointment ofCONTENTS3Our Mission Statement andVision1Headmaster’s Introduction7About Ratcliffe College6The Benefits4-5Academic ExcellenceThe Vacancy910-12How to apply / Ratcliffe Terms13-14 Job Description and PersonSpecificationI wish you all the very best of luck with your application. Yours sincerely, Kind regards,Mr J. P. Reddin,Headmaster.Welcome to Ratcliffe College. I am delighted that you are considering applying for a role at our wonderful school. First andforemost, Ratcliffe College is a fantastic place to work. We are blessed with a beautiful physicalenvironment set in almost 200 acres of rolling Leicestershire countryside. Our staff, teaching andnon-teaching, work in harness, daily, to provide a safe, secure, and nurturing environment for thechildren and young people to enjoy. Our collegiality is built on the foundations of the College’sCatholic faith, which welcomes everyone with the same universality of warmth and respect,embracing difference and cultivating an authentic community which values everyone equally. As a Catholic School with a proud Rosminian heritage which has endured since our Foundationin 1847, our aim is to help young people to achieve their greatest potential, guide theirintellectual growth, nurture their God-given talents, and inspire them to live in service to others.Together, we aim to develop honest, confident, responsible, and compassionate members ofsociety, based on the educational values of Blessed Antonio Rosmini, inspired by our schoolmotto, Legis Plenitudo Charitas’ or Love is the fulfilment of the Law. At Ratcliffe College, Christ is very much at the centre of all that we do. So, if our Missionresonates, and you believe you can be happy and thrive here, I encourage you to apply andjoin our team of staff as we fulfil our Mission.HEADMASTER’S INTRODUCTION12“Learning and Growing in theLight of the Gospel.”With Christ at the centre of our learning we: Help young people to achieve their greatestpotential.Guide their intellectual growth, nurture theirGod-given talents, and inspire them to live inservice to others.Aim to develop honest, confident, responsible andcompassionate members of society, based on theeducational values of Blessed Antonio Rosmini. Our core Rosminian values: 1. Legis Plenitudo Charitas: Love is the Fulfilment ofthe Law. Our community recognises each individual as a uniquepart of God’s creation, nurtures in each a sense ofdignity and self-worth, and fosters supportive andcaring relationships. 2. Rosminian Education pursues the perfection ofboth human nature and the human person. Our students’ intellect and talents are formed by abroad and balanced curriculum, responsive to andsupportive of students’ needs and aspirations. Ourstudents’ moral integrity is developed through theteaching, celebration and the living of Christian faith.3. Intellectual integrity leads us to the Truth. God is the source of all truth. Our staff are encouragedto foster intellectual curiosity, honesty and achievementin their students and within themselves. OUR VISIONTo be a leading independent day and boardingschool, which is financially secure. OURMISSIONSTATEMENTSCAN THE CODE 3-YEAR STRATEGYDEVELOPMENT PLAN 2025-2028.34Ratcliffe College is an Outstanding Roman Catholic,co-educational, day and boarding school for studentsaged between 3 and 18 years, founded in 1847 bythe Institute of Charity (known as the Rosminians). Whilst Ratcliffe operates as a Catholic school, children arewelcomed from other denominations and faiths whoseparents feel they can share in, and benefit from, the ethosand environment of the College. The majority of students atRatcliffe are day students drawn from the local catchmentarea of Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. The Senior Leadership Team comprises:Headmaster        Mr J Reddin, BSc, MSc, NPQH Senior Deputy Head        Mr K Ryce, BA, MScDeputy Head Pastoral        Mr J Rainer, BA, MADirector of Safeguarding       Mr J MastertonAssistant Head Academic        Ms J Davis, BA, MScAssistant Head, Head of Sixth Form        Mr B Harrison, BAHead of Preparatory School        Mrs S Boccaccini, BSc, MEdDeputy Head of Preparatory School        Mrs M Markham, BMusDirector of Finance and Operations       Mr C Bellamy, HNDBoarding CommunityRatcliffe benefits from a vibrant, warm and welcoming boarding community that has long been part of the School's history. Allstudents are encouraged to participate in boarding during their years at school – as full, weekly, part-time or occasionalboarders. Its close-knit community of friends and teachers’ is a supportive environment where our young people thrive. Our boarding community comprises students from both the UK and overseas, including those who join through our partnership withthe Academy at Leicester City Football Club.The College also offers several short-term international boarding programmes throughout the year, including 3–4 immersion tasterexperiences and an annual International Summer School, all delivered by Ratcliffe staff.Boarders benefit from a strong pastoral framework. Each student is supported by a Form Tutor who monitors their academicprogress and personal development, alongside the care and guidance provided by a dedicated and experienced boardingteam.ABOUT RATCLIFFE COLLEGE 4Ratcliffe College Preparatory School Ratcliffe College Preparatory School is a thriving andnurturing environment where children aged 3 to 11 areencouraged to develop a lifelong love of learning. As part ofthe wider Ratcliffe College community, the Prep Schoolbenefits from outstanding facilities, a beautiful campussetting, and access to specialist teaching, ensuring aseamless educational journey from Early Years through toSenior School.Ratcliffe College Preparatory School provides a rich, well-rounded educational experience that nurtures each child’sunique talents and potential. Our dedicated staff arecommitted to delivering a broad, balanced, and ambitiouscurriculum that supports academic excellence while nurturingcreativity, confidence, and character. Alongside coresubjects, pupils enjoy a wide range of specialist-led lessonsincluding Music, French, Spanish, Latin, Drama, PhysicalEducation and Games. Small class sizes and a strong sense of community allow usto truly know each child and support their individual strengthsand needs. An extensive co-curricular programme, regular trips, andenrichment opportunities further enhance pupils' experiences,helping to develop well-rounded individuals prepared forthe next stage of their education. The Preparatory School isan exciting and rewarding place to work. Staff are valuedmembers of a collaborative and forward-thinking team,playing an active role in shaping the character and culture ofthe school.5Ratcliffe students enjoy an excellent all-roundbalanced education, underpinned by theCollege’s core Rosminian Catholic ethos. While students at Ratcliffe have a broad range ofability, academic success is strongly encouraged,valued and recognised; indeed, the greatlyimproved academic standards in recent years haveproved popular both with parents and prospectiveparents, as reflected in the numbers of studentsapplying to join the College.Ratcliffe College has repeatedly ranked in thetop 10% nationally for value added results at A Level.A Level results achieved in 2025: 45% of A Level grades A*/A 71% grade B or above. Ten percent of students achieved A*/A*/Aor better. One in four students achieved A Level orBTEC grades equivalent to A/A/A orhigher.Over 90% of students typically achieve their firstchoice pathway for life after School. This includesstudents taking up places at Oxford, Cambridge,and other highly selective Russell Group universities;for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science; andat universities abroad.. ACADEMICEXCELLENCERatcliffe College has been judged ‘Excellent’ in all areas (ISI Inspection, 2022).Read the full Inspection Report here.6THE BENEFITS OFWORKING ATRATCLIFFE COLLEGETPS or Defined ContributionsPension SchemeFree parking on-siteFree lunch and refreshments Professional Developmental opportunities Sport and LeisureFree use of the on-site gym        (at specified times)Leicestershire County Cricket Clubfamily tickets (limited)Staff WellbeingStaff Wellbeing Committee     Free staff social events                        Access to on-site Medical CareRatcliffe College CommunityCommittee Access to the School CounsellorSCAN THE CODE VIRTUAL CAMPUSTOUR.7HEAD OF MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES We are seeking to appoint an experienced, enthusiastic and well-qualified teacher to lead and manage a strong team inthe Languages Department.  Ratcliffe College is a Catholic co-educational, day and boarding school with 930 students aged between 3 and 18 years.The majority of students are of above average ability. Each year the value added data is outstanding and approximately48% of all GCSE grades are at Grade 7 and above; the vast majority of sixth formers proceed to Russell Groupuniversities.. The Languages Department is housed in its own block. All teachers including part time staff have their own classrooms.There is also a languages tutorial room. Students in key stages currently work from the Edexcel Pearson textbooks: Studio, Stimmt and Viva, supported by ActiveLearn online digital platform. Students in Key Stage 4 use the new Pearson French, German and Spanish courses alignedto the 2026 specification, supported by the Active Hub online platform. At Key Stage 5, students work from materialsdeveloped by staff as well as using the Hodder Boost online textbooks. The college ôsubscribes to a number of additionalonline resources, including A tantôt and Frenchteacher.net. French and Spanish are taught by Senior School Staff in Year 6, and the Head of Department oversees the transition intothe Senior School.  The department consists of the Head of Department, Second in Department, four other teachers as well as three languageassistants (French, German and Spanish). The Languages department is a very successful department within the Schooland achieves excellent examination results at GCSE and A level.  The teaching resources include:Large touch screens in each classroomExtensive computer software. Access to school networked computers. Textbooks and reading materials for use at each level. All students study French and Spanish in Year 6 and the majority continue with one language, to the end of Year 8. InYears 9, 10 and 11 students continue with at least one of their chosen modern foreign languages. Lessons involve avariety of listening, speaking, reading and writing tasks, with greater emphasis on listening and speaking in Year 6.At GCSE, the Edexcel syllabus is followed. Students follow the Eduqas syllabus at A Level.  The department organises a variety of visits year on year - recent excursions have included Cologne, Barcelona and Paris. The department places great importance on teamwork with the views and contributions of all members warmly welcomed.There has been a good deal of curriculum development in the department, which is discussed in weekly departmentalmeetings to ensure parity and consistency.There will also be an expectation to become involved in the wider life of the School, with a contribution to duties and co-curricular activities. If appointed to a full time position, you will be responsible for a Tutor group.Professional development is taken seriously at Ratcliffe and members of staff are encouraged to prepare themselves forpromotion at Ratcliffe and elsewhere.  JOB DESCRIPTION1010Job Title:            Head of Department     Responsible to:  Head of DepartmentAccountable to: Senior Deputy HeadTeaching and LearningTo monitor the quality of teaching and learning in the department and to provide advice and support to departmentalmembers.To be familiar with the work being done by members of the department, to visit classrooms and to look at students’ work.To liaise with the SENCo and EAL teacher regarding students with special educational needs.To liaise with Form Tutors, Heads of Year, Housemaster/Housemistress and parents as part of a whole school approach tomaximising student performance.To organise, where appropriate, a programme of educational visits.Strategic direction and development of the subjectTo determine a suitable choice of syllabus appropriate to the needs of students, in consultation with the Senior Deputy Head.To ensure that Schemes of Work exist in all year groups, and that these are regularly reviewed and updated as appropriate. To keep up to date with developments within the subject area and communicate this to departmental staff.To liaise with the appropriate Preparatory School Subject Coordinator so as to ensure continuity and progression within thesubject between the Preparatory School and the Senior School.To produce, monitor and review an annual Departmental Development Plan in consultation with the Senior Deputy Headand Assistant Head Academic.Leading and managing staffTo ensure that teachers working within the Department are aware of and adhere to departmental policy (which reflectsschool policy).To ensure that Schemes of Work are followed by members of the department.To monitor the completion of records on students, e.g. Studies Assessments, exam results, UCAS predictions that are enteredon the Staff Shared Area, and to ensure that deadlines are met.To be involved in the appointment and induction of new staff to the department and to organise a subject mentor for NQTsand PGCE students.     To identify and develop skills of subject teachers, including recommendations for staff Inset.To participate in the appraisal of teachers within the department, and agreed follow up action.To organise departmental representatives to be allocated to and attend working groups as necessary.To attend Faculty Meetings and Heads of Department Meetings (or send a representative).To ensure that school policies relating to staff and students are implemented in the department.To organise departmental meetings, providing an agenda in advance to subject staff and the Senior DeputyHead and distributing minutes to the same.To report any maintenance or Health and Safety requirements promptly to the Maintenance Team or the EstatesManager or the Bursar, thereby ensuring that within the departmental area, students and staff are able to work ina healthy, safe, clean and tidy environment.To ensure that a suitable departmental Health & Safety Policy exists and is followed by members of thedepartment.To provide the Examinations Officer with all the information required to facilitate the entry and post-results enquiryprocesses.To produce an examination analysis report after each Public Examination session and a full analysis report on thesummer Public Examinations for the Senior Deputy Head.To produce reports for Governors as required.Efficient and effective deployment of staff and resourcesTo allocate students to sets where appropriate and to allocate classes, ensuring that, as far as possible,departmental colleagues have the opportunity to teach a cross section of ages and abilities.To plan, allocate and monitor the departmental budget, including bidding for extra resources for planned futuredevelopments.Areas specific to departmentsIt is recognised that some Heads of Department will have other responsibilities specific to the department, whichshould be included after consultation with the Deputy Head Academic. To undertake any other duties as reasonably requested by the Headmaster EssentialDesirableQualificationsGood Honours GraduateTeaching Qualification (PGCE or equivalent)QTSSkillsAbility to teach French and/or Spanish toKS5. Preference will be given to candidateswho can teach both to KS5.It is essential that candidates can teachboth to at least KS4.Excellent classroom management skillsExcellent interpersonal and communicationskillsAbility to prioritiseGood organisational skillsCompetence in ICTA record of successful teaching or teachingpracticeKnowledge &ExperienceExperience of contributing to thewriting of schemes of workUnderstanding of current good practice inteaching and learning, and monitoring ofddEvidence of, continuing relevantprofessional developmentCommitment to the ethos and aims of theSchoolPersonal qualitiesInitiative and enthusiasmDedication and commitmentAbility to maintain appropriate andsupportive relationships with children andstaffConfidence in public speakingA willingness to be involved in the pastoralcare of studentsAbility and willingness to contribute to, andsupport the School’s co-curricularAbility to work as a team includingwillingness to take part in foreign tripsd/hidbhFlexibilityPERSON SPECIFICATION11Ratcliffe College reserves the right to interviewand appoint ahead of the closing date.INVITED TO INTERVIEW If you do not hear anything further within twoweeks of the closing date, please assume thatyou have not been successful on this occasion.Visit our vacancies page.Please follow the link above to visit the mainvacancies page on our school website. Searchfor the vacancy you wish to apply for,complete the online application form in fulland submit it to us before the closing date. HOW TO APPLYCOMPLETE AN ONLINEAPPLICATION FORM12Salary: Ratcliffe Pay Scale plus Ratcliffe Allowance. The Ratcliffe Allowance is on a sliding scale presently ranging from£1,591 to £10,397, depending on the experience of the teacher (reviewed annually). Child ProtectionRatcliffe College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expectsall staff to share this commitment. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and applicants arerequired to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are “spent” unless they are “protected” underthe DBS filtering rules), in order to assess their suitability to work with children. For further information, please see the Recruitment, Selection and Disclosures Policy andhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-guidance-on-the-rehabilitation-of-offenders-act-1974The College is also registered for the processing of personal data in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.Such checks are required in accordance with the Recruitment, Selection and Disclosures policy and the Data Protectionpolicy. Copies of these policies may be obtained from the Director of Finance and Operations upon request.The appointment is subject to satisfactory:References, of which one must be from a current or most recent employer if not currently in employmentDisclosure and Barring Service check (including children’s barred list check if appropriate)Open source checkProof of identityRight to work checkQualifications checkHealth screeningRATCLIFFE TERMS13Ratcliffe College, Fosse Way, Ratcliffe on the Wreake, Leicester, LE7 4SGwww.ratcliffecollege.comHR: 01509 817089HR@ratcliffecollege.com