Head of MFL

Head of MFL

Start date: September 2024

Location: Ark Alexandra,Hastings, East Sussex

Salary: Ark Outside London Leadership Pay Scale, points 5 – 9: GBP52,842 to GBP58,330 + up to GBP5k relocation package

Hours: Full–time

Contract: Permanent

Closing date: 9.00am on22 March 2024

The school reserves the right to withdraw this advert if a suitable candidate is appointed before the closing date. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early for this role to avoid disappointment.

We are excited to welcome applicants for this rare leadership opportunity to join our successful languages department at our dynamic school in Hastings on a permanent contract. The successful applicant will be joining a supportive and friendly team, made up of French and Spanish teachers. The department has high expectations of achievement, and the GCSE results are amongst the highest in the academy.

We are seeking a passionate leader who can articulate a love of languages and be able to communicate effectively with students of all abilities. We have a strong focus on language learning as we recognise the importance of MFL in preparing students for a globally interconnected world.

As Head of MFL, the successful candidate will be responsible for leading our dedicated team of MFL teachers, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and high academic standards. The role will involve developing and implementing an engaging MFL curriculum, overseeing assessment and progress tracking, and providing guidance and support to colleagues within the department.

For more information please read the job description and person specification in the pack available for download.

We're looking for an individual who:

• Can lead by example, through outstanding practice and professionalism
• Cares about students, their learning, and their futures
• Has motivation to continually improve standards and achieve excellence
• Is driven to make a difference, to overcome barriers, to be relentless in enabling all students to make exceptional progress
• Is committed to their own personal development and to collaborative, consultative working

Our School:

Ark Alexandra is a two–campus secondary academy with a Sixth Form provision in Hastings, East Sussex and is the largest secondary with 6 th form in the Ark network. A popular school, we have grown to have over 1,600 students this year. We work across a split site which brings with it unique opportunities for growth and development. At our most recent Ofsted inspection in September 2021, Leadership & Management, Behaviour & Attitudes, Personal Development and Sixth Form were all judged to be Good.

Ark Alexandra works closely with our feeder primary schools, Ark Blacklands, Ark Little Ridge and Ark Castledown, all of which have exceptional leadership graded as Outstanding by Ofsted.

As a Church of England school, our values of faith, excellence and kindness underpin our ethos, culture and behaviour. We have an inclusive admissions policy that welcomes, without preference, students of all faith and none. Our vision is to create a truly great school for the young people in Hastings. We believe that everyone deserves to be accepted, included, and empowered to live a purposeful and fulfilling life.

What we offer:

• Salary higher than the national pay scales
• Twice as many training days as standard and network–wide events with Ark colleagues, held by the best minds in education
• Weekly staff training designed to meet the needs of the school
• Coaching for every teacher
• Protected co–planning time
• Access to the high–quality, professional development, including nationally recognised qualifications such as the NPQML and NPQSL
• Opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across the network

At Ark Alexandra in Hastings, we are committed to helping staff with relocation. In addition to offering up to GBP5,000 we can help you make a smooth transition into our school and sea–side community. We recognise the challenges of moving to a new area, and as such we offer:

• Information on local housing options, and connections to good property agents
• Advise on school enrolment for staff members' children
• Additionally, we foster a welcoming environment by connecting new employees with existing staff members who can offer guidance on settling into the community of Hastings

The school's commitment to supporting the relocation process reflects our dedication to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment for all staff members.

How to apply:

Please click 'apply' on the website you are visiting to complete an online application form.

Please note: we are unable to accept applications via CV. We will also be reviewing applications on an on–going basis and this advert may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. Early application is strongly encouraged. You will be able to pause, save and log back in to complete your application up until the vacancy closes.

If you're interested in further information about our school, please visit our website or to find out more about Ark Schools, please read Why Join an Ark School? from available for download from the application website.

To arrange an informal conversation about the role or an informal visit, please contact HR on

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non–disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment – this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark's safer recruitment process, please click this link .