Bedlington Academy is seeking to appoint an inspiring and forward-thinking Head of MFL to lead our dedicated and supportive department.
Bedlington Academy is a caring, friendly and inclusive school that is driven by a clear focus on learning and a desire to develop high aspirations in our students. Bedlington Academy is a loyal and close-knit community school where individuality is valued and where tolerance, acceptance and inclusiveness run deep.
We are looking for a highly qualified, ambitious, and motivated leader with a passion for languages and a commitment to academic excellence. The successful candidate will be an outstanding classroom practitioner with high expectations and a proven track record of securing excellent outcomes for students. You will bring energy, vision, and a genuine enthusiasm for teaching and learning, with the determination to lead the MFL department in delivering excellence every day. Please note that our MFL offer at present is focused on Spanish, therefore it is essential that candidates are confident and experienced in teaching Spanish at KS3 and KS4. It is desirable that candidates are able to offer French or an alternative language as a second specialism.
Our vision, along with all schools in the Trust, is that every child experiences excellence every day.
We are committed to:
* A vibrant learning community with enthusiastic and engaging students
* A positive and caring ethos
* An excellent learning environment and resources
* A team of hardworking, dedicated and friendly staff where everyone is valued
* We will offer you:
* National Terms and Conditions of Employment
* Access to Teachers’ Pension
* Up to 1 day paid leave for staff wellbeing
* Lifestyle Savings – range of discounts from top retail brands
* Discounted gym membership
* 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing portal
Th e successful candidate will:
* A degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject area
* Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or an equivalent teaching qualification
* Have a strong track record of teaching Modern Foreign Languages with excellent outcomes
* Demonstrate leadership experience or clear potential to lead a department
* Be committed to raising standards and driving continuous improvement in teaching and learning
* Be confident in managing and developing staff through effective performance management
Job Position: Head of MFL
Responsible to: Assistant Headteacher
Duties and responsibilities:
You will be required to carry out the duties of a school teacher as set out in the current School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document.
In addition to the duties above you will be required to demonstrate the leadership skills specified in the National Standards for Subject Leaders and to undertake the following responsibilities in relation to the post:
Generic Responsibilities:
To undertake an appropriate programme of teaching in accordance with the duties of a standard scale teacher.
To ensure provision of an appropriately broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum for students studying in the curriculum area, in accordance with the aims of the school and the curricular policies determined by the Governing Body, Executive Headteacher and Headteacher of the school.
To act as a Curriculum Lead and be responsible for leading and developing this area.
To develop and enhance the teaching practice of others.
To monitor and support the overall progress and development of students as a manager within the curriculum area and as a Form Tutor.
To play a full part in the life of the school community, to support its distinctive mission and ethos and to encourage staff and students to follow this example.
Strategic:
To coordinate the delivery of the MFL curriculum, resources, schemes of work, marking policies, assessment and teaching strategies in the department.
The day-to-day management, control and operation of the curriculum provision within the department.
To monitor and follow up student progress.
To implement school Policies and Procedures.
To work with colleagues to formulate aims and objectives for the department which have coherence and relevance to the needs of students and to the aims and objectives of the school.
To ensure that the planning activities of the department reflect the needs of the students and the aims and objectives of the school.
To manage the application of ICT in the Curriculum area.
Curriculum:
To ensure the delivery of an appropriate, comprehensive, high quality and cost-effective curriculum programme which complements the school’s strategic objectives.
To keep up to date with national developments in the subject area and teaching practice and methodology.
To actively monitor and respond to curriculum development and initiatives at national, regional and local levels.
To maintain accreditation with the relevant examination and validating bodies.
To promote and develop appropriate extra-curricular and community activities within the department.
Staffing:
To work with Senior Leadership Team to ensure that staff development needs are identified and that appropriate programmes are designed to meet such needs.
To contribute to Personal Development Review and to act as reviewer for a group of staff within the designated department.
To promote teamwork and to motivate staff to ensure effective working relations.
To ensure the effective efficient deployment of classroom support.
To participate in the school’s ITT programme.
Quality Management:
To ensure the effective operation of quality control systems.
To set targets within the department and to work towards their achievement.
To establish common standards of practice within the department and develop the effectiveness of teaching and learning styles in all relevant curriculum areas within the department.
To contribute to the school procedures for lesson observation.
To implement school quality procedures and to ensure adherence to those within the department.
To participate in the monitoring and evaluation of the curriculum area/department in line with agreed school procedures including evaluation against quality standards and performance criteria.
To implement modification and improvement where required within the relevant curriculum area.
To ensure the maintenance of accurate and up-to-date information concerning the relevant curriculum area on the management information system.
To produce reports within the quality assurance cycle.
To identify appropriate courses and coordinate exam entries within the department.
Pastoral Support:
To monitor and support the overall progress and development of students within the curriculum area
To monitor student attendance together with students’ progress ensuring that follow-up procedures are adhered to and that appropriate action is taken where necessary.
To act as Form Tutor and carry out the duties associated with the role as outlined in the generic .
To contribute to SMSC according to the school policy.
To implement the Behaviour Management system in the department so that effective learning can take place.
Other Specific Duties:
To support the school in meeting its legal requirements for worship.
To promote actively the school’s corporate policies.
To continue personal development as agreed.
To actively engage in the staff review and development process.
To undertake any other duty as specified by STPCB not mentioned in the above.
General:
The duties and responsibilities highlighted in this are indicative and may vary over time. Post holders are expected to undertake other duties and responsibilities relevant to the nature, level and extent of the post and the grade has been established on this basis.
Health and Safety:
It is the responsibility of individual employees at every level to take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts at work. This includes co-operating with the Trust and colleagues in complying with health and safety obligations to maintain a safe environment and particularly by reporting promptly and defects, risks or potential hazards. Specifically:
To report any incidents/accidents and near misses to your line manager
To ensure own safety and safety of all others who may be affected by the Trust’s business
Safeguarding:
The Trust has a Child Safeguarding policy and procedure in place and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its students, each student’s welfare is of paramount importance to us, and you are expected to share this commitment. All staff will fully comply with the Trust’s policies and procedures, attend appropriate training, inform the Designated Person of any concerns, record any potential safeguarding incidents appropriately.
Deadline: 23rd September 2025, noon
Interviews taking place week commencing 29th September 2025.
How to apply:
Application packs can be downloaded from our website.
Application forms should be returned to kelly.saunders@bedlingtonacademy.co.uk or by post to Kelly Saunders, Support Services Manager, Bedlington Academy, Palace Road, Bedlington, NE22 7DS. You can, if you wish, submit a covering letter to support your application; please do not submit a CV unless it is to complement your application form.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff to share this commitment. All posts will be subject to receipt of satisfactory enhanced DBS disclosure, medical and reference checks. All pre-employment checks are in line with "Keeping Children Safe in Education” and the Trust’s Safeguarding Policy which is available on our website.