Trainee Teacher of French and Spanish

Trainee Teacher of French and Spanish
Application Pack

Knowing every child, nurturing potential

About us

Gosfield School was established at Cut Hedge Park in 1929 when the daughter
of  the  textile  manufacturer,  George  Courtauld    purchased  the  land  and
buildings  from  the  executors  of  her  late    father’s  estate.    Constance  Cicely
Courtauld started a Senior Boy’s Boarding School the same year,  with pupils
relocating  from  Leigh  Hall  School  in  Southend.  In  1944,  Cicely  gifted  the
School  and  estate  to  Headmaster  John  Turner  who  continued  the  work
started by  Cicely. In 1967, the School became a charitable trust and in 1986,
the School became co-educational. A Prep School was opened in 1989 and we
welcomed  our  first  Sixth  Form  pupils  in  1994.  In  2006,  Gosfield  School  Ltd
purchased the freehold of the  estate and buildings from the Turner family. In
2015, we opened Meadow Court, a purpose built Prep School, which is home
to a Nursery, Reception Class up to Year 5, within the grounds of our 110 acre
estate.  We  continue  to  develop  and  upgrade  our  infrastructure,  we  opened
our  Forest  School  and  Cricket  Pavilion  in  May  2017.  Our  Cricket  Academy
welcomed  its  first  Scholars  in  Summer  2018,  we  opened  our  new  Design
Technology  workshop  in  January  2019  and  undertook  the  design  led
redecoration  of  the  Manor  House.  The  construction  of  our  new  Performing
Arts  Centre  has  recently  been  completed.  We  are    committed  to  the
development  of  our  young  people  in  an  environment  where  all  pupils  feel
valued  and  are  able  to  achieve  excellence  in  all  aspects  of  life.  We  have
non-academic  entry  criteria  and  consistently  achieve  outstanding  outcomes
when  compared  to  Schools  with  academic  entry  criteria.  Cicely’s  founding
principles for the School were to create a family environment in which young
people would flourish and we remain faithful to those principles today.

Knowing every child, nurturing potential

Our Principal

Mr Rod Jackson Mr Jackson became Principal of Gosfield
in  September  2021.  He  has  a  wealth  of
School
experience, having spent more than 30 years working in
Independent Schools in Africa, Australia and the United
Kingdom.  He  is  a  passionate  promoter  of  an  entirely
in  which  a  rigorous
holistic  approach  to
learning,
approach  to  academic  education,  an  outstanding
programme  of  extracurricular  opportunities,  alongside
excellent  pastoral  care  and  personal  development
combine to create a world class educational experience
for each child. Mr Jackson believes that it is essential not
only that we educate  our  students to be global citizens
but that we ensure they have the skills and the desire to
change the world for the better, as future leaders.

Before  joining  Gosfield,  Mr  Jackson  served  as  Head  of
The International Community School in Marylebone and
prior  to  that  he  was  Head  of  Secondary  at  The  King
Alfred  School  in  Hampstead,  earlier  leadership  roles
include  Head  of  Classics  at  Cranleigh  School  and  Senior
Housemaster  at  Aldenham  School.  Mr  Jackson  holds  a
BA  (Hons)  degree  in  Classics  from  the  University  of
Adelaide and a MEd from the University of Cambridge.

Knowing every child, nurturing potential

The Modern Foreign Languages Department at Gosfield School
The Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Department is a dynamic and forward-thinking team committed to
fostering linguistic confidence, cultural curiosity, and global awareness. As a core part of the school’s
academic provision, the department plays a central role in preparing pupils to thrive in an increasingly
interconnected world.

Languages are typically offered from the early years through to GCSE and A Level with a strong tradition of
excellent outcomes and high uptake at examination level. The curriculum is ambitious and carefully
sequenced, developing secure foundations in grammar, vocabulary, and phonics, while promoting
authentic communication and a deep understanding of the cultures and societies of the countries where
the languages are spoken.

Teaching within the department is characterised by high expectations, academic rigour, and an engaging,
interactive approach. Lessons are conducted primarily in the target language, encouraging immersion and
fluency. Staff make effective use of technology, enrichment activities and co-curricular opportunities—
including trips abroad and cultural events—to bring language learning to life beyond the classroom.

The department benefits from small class sizes, enabling teachers to provide personalised support and
stretch.   Collaboration is central to its ethos: colleagues share resources, contribute to curriculum
development, and engage in ongoing professional development to ensure that teaching remains innovative
and research-informed.

Pupils are encouraged not only to achieve excellent examination results, but also to develop resilience,
independence, and a genuine enthusiasm for languages. The department takes pride in nurturing confident
communicators who appreciate linguistic diversity and are well equipped for further study and global
careers.

The successful candidate will join a supportive and collegial team, contributing to the continued
development of a thriving and ambitious Modern Foreign Languages provision within the school.

Full Time Trainee Teacher of French and Spanish (one year contract)
We are now seeking an outstanding full time Trainee Teacher of French and Spanish (one year contract).

Subject to eligibility, successful applicants may be able to access a tax-free bursary of £20,000, or a
scholarship of £22,000 (French, German or Spanish only) through the British Council, as well as a tuition fee
and maintenance loan to help fund teacher training.

The successful candidate will be an outstanding trainee classroom practitioner with the ability to inspire a
love of languages and foster high academic achievement.

You will work towards your PGCE qualification and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and will gain the skills,
knowledge and practical training needed for a successful career in language education.

You will need a good honours degree or a recognised equivalent qualification together with a high level of
fluency in at least one modern language.

Knowing every child, nurturing potential

 Full Time Trainee Teacher of French and Spanish - One year Contract

Personal Qualities

· A genuine passion for languages and cultural education
· High expectations of pupils’ achievement and behaviour
· Commitment to academic excellence and intellectual curiosity
· Ability to motivate and inspire pupils of all abilities
· Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
· Willingness to contribute fully to the wider life of the school
· Collaborative, reflective, and open to professional growth
· Professional integrity, discretion, and commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of
children
· Willingness to contribute to pastoral care and form tutoring.
· Interest in leading or supporting overseas trips and exchange programmes

The successful candidate will demonstrate warmth, enthusiasm, and a commitment to fostering
confident, culturally aware linguists who are well prepared for further study and global citizenship.

Trainee Teacher of French and Spanish

You will play a key role in delivering high-quality teaching and fostering a love of French and Spanish
across the school.

In addition to carrying out the duties outlined in the School’s classroom teacher job description, you will
be responsible to the Head of Modern Foreign Languages and will undertake the following
responsibilities:

1.  Teaching and Learning

· Teach French and Spanish across the age and ability range, including GCSE and A Level (where
appropriate).
· Plan and deliver engaging, well-structured lessons that promote curiosity, intellectual rigour and
academic excellence.
· Demonstrate strong subject knowledge and enthusiasm for French and Spanish.
· Use a range of effective teaching strategies to meet the needs of all pupils, including those who are Able,
Gifted and Talented and those with additional learning needs.
· Set high expectations for behaviour, effort and achievement in line with the school’s ethos.
· Prepare pupils effectively for internal assessments and public examinations.
· Contribute to the development and sharing of high-quality teaching resources and schemes of work.
· Be responsible for health and safety in their lessons and produce risk assessments for them.

Knowing every child, nurturing potential

2. Curriculum Contribution

· Support the implementation of a coherent and ambitious French and Spanish curriculum.
· Contribute to the ongoing review and development of schemes of work and teaching materials.
· Ensure that pupils develop knowledge, skills and understanding progressively and at an appropriate
pace.
· Promote practical work and investigative science as central to effective French and Spanish teaching.
· Contribute to cross-curricular initiatives and enrichment activities where appropriate.

3. Assessment and Monitoring

· Assess, record and report on pupil progress in accordance with departmental and whole-school policies.
· Provide timely, constructive feedback that supports pupil progress and independence.
· Monitor pupil performance and identify underachievement, implementing appropriate interventions in
consultation with the Head of Modern Foreign Languages and pastoral staff.
· Use assessment data to inform planning and support continuous improvement.

4. Pastoral Responsibilities

•  Act as a Form Tutor if required, supporting pupils’ academic and personal development.
•  Promote high standards of behaviour in accordance with the school’s Code of Conduct.
•  Support pupils’ spiritual, moral and personal development.
•  Maintain accurate records of attendance and punctuality.
•  Work collaboratively with colleagues and parents to support pupil wellbeing and achievement.

5. Enrichment and Wider Contribution

•  Contribute to the wider life of the school, including co-curricular activities and enrichment

opportunities such as language initiatives or clubs.

•  Support educational visits, lectures and other activities that enhance pupils’ learning experiences.
•  Attend parents’ evenings, information events and school functions as required.

6. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

•  Promote equality of opportunity and an inclusive classroom environment.
•  Ensure all pupils have access to a broad and balanced modern foreign languages education, regardless

of background or ability.

•  Contribute to the development of inclusive teaching materials and practices.

7. Professional Development

•  Engage actively in professional development and appraisal processes.
•  Reflect on and develop teaching practice in line with departmental and whole-school priorities.
•  Contribute positively to departmental meetings and collaborative planning.

Knowing every child, nurturing potential

Note: The duties and responsibilities of this post may vary from time to time according to the changing
needs of the school. This job description may be reviewed at the reasonable discretion of the Principal in
the light of those changing requirements and in consultation with the postholder.   In any event the Prin-
cipal reserves the right to review and amend the job description.

How to apply

Download an Application Form from our website [www.gosfieldschool.org.uk] and send
together with a covering letter to Mrs Sara Bowles, EA to the Principal:
Sara.Bowles@gosfieldschool.org.uk
Deadline for applications: noon Monday 16th March 2026
Interviews: w/c Monday 16th March / Monday 23rd March 2026
Start Date:  1 September 2026

*Please Note to avoid disappointment applicants are encouraged to apply prior to the
deadline as we reserve the right to consider applications as they are received and to ap-
point prior to the deadline.

Knowing every child, nurturing potential