The English Department at the Under School thrives on its collegiate approach, and its staff continually review and discuss the texts that are taught, and reflect on the curriculum, ensuring that the pupils are given ample opportunities to develop their skills in reading, writing, and oracy. Pupils across all year groups enjoy reading and responding to literature written by a range of authors, representing differing periods, cultures, and backgrounds. At break and lunchtimes, the library is full, and pupils find any moment they can throughout the day to read. Alongside the taught literary texts, the department promotes wider reading through its Book Club scheme, in which pupils in each year group read an additional six texts through the course of an academic year, and have half-termly Book Club lessons to discuss each of these texts in small groups.

Annual events in the English Department include charity initiatives, such as the Readathon, at Christmas, which is enjoyed by all pupils, also encouraging them to read a wide variety of books. The department also runs the Reading Competition in the Lent (spring) term, with pupils in all year groups performing a self-selected piece of literature, culminating in a whole-school event enjoyed by all. In recent times, we have alternated the Reading Competition with a new event, the Poetry Slam, in which pupils perform self-penned poets, alongside eminent visiting poets.

The role
We are looking for well-qualified Teacher of English to join the department from September 2025, as full-time maternity cover until July 2026. The Teacher of English will teach weekly timetabled English lessons from Years 5 – 8 and may also be asked to teach another subject for a small proportion of the lessons, e.g. PSHE.

The ideal applicant will have excellent teaching and classroom management, and written and verbal communication skills, and will possess the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team . An infectious enthusiasm, an engaging personality, and a creative approach to the delivery of the curriculum area, are all essential for this role. In addition, the successful applicant must be willing to participate fully in the various extra-curricular activities – both academic and cultural.