Head of Modern Foreign Languages

Job Type: Middle Leadership Start Date: September 2026 Salary: Main Scale/Ups + TLR 2B: Apply By: 20/04/2026 by 5pm Interviews: Week commencing 20th April 2026 Thank you for your interest in applying for the role Head of MFL at St Matthew Academy. "Leadership and Management is exceptional. They have high ambition for their pupils and want the best for them. Staff benefit from high-quality professional development, which enables them to continually improve their teaching." (Ofsted Report April 2025) https://www.stmatthewacademy.co.uk/ At St Matthew Academy pupils develop a rich body of knowledge and achieve very highly. As a result, pupils are extremely well prepared for the next stage of their education. Pupils are committed to their learning and take pride in their work. Pupils have highly positive attitudes and behave well in lessons. Are you a passionate, exceptional practitioner looking for a new challenge? Do you want to join an academy with exemplary behaviour, allowing you to focus on celebrating the success of the whole school? Do you want to be part of a dynamic team in exceptional all through academy that is dedicated to providing an exemplary educational experience to all its pupils? If so, then we have the perfect opportunity for you! Our School Pupils receive an exceptional education. This starts in early years, where strong foundations are built, and continues through to the primary and secondary phases. The school takes a nurturing and caring approach, which leads to pupils feeling and being safe and secure. Pupils benefit from an exceptional enrichment offer. The school provides numerous, varied opportunities to nurture, develop, and stretch pupil's talents and interests. The school places a high priority on making sure pupils develop a love of reading. Staff have consistently high expectations of pupils' behaviour and conduct. Pupils behave very well in all phases of their education. Staff benefit from high quality professional development, which enables them to continually improve their teaching. Leadership and management are exceptional. We are heavily oversubscribed all through Academy, with 1072 pupils and we are on our way to becoming a leading educational establishment as we continue to flourish within the St Benedict Catholic Academy Trust. We have been operating to an exemplary level and are committed to providing our pupils with the best possible education. The academy virtues of: Integrity, Courage and Service are the heartbeat of our school, which enables all of our staff and pupils to thrive. Core Responsibilities As the Head of MFL, you will be the driving force behind the department's success. Your leadership will focus on four key areas: 1. Departmental Development: · Foster a collaborative, ambitious and supportive culture within the MFL team.

• To provide professional leadership, direction and management of the MFL curriculum in order to secure high quality teaching, the effective use of resources and improved standards of learning and achievement for all pupils.
• Lead department meetings with a clear focus on pedagogy, pupil outcomes and subject mastery.
• To line-manage teaching and support staff within the MFL department, including involvement in the appraisal process and identifying professional development opportunities.
2. Leading Teaching & Learning (T&L):
• Model exceptional teaching practice within your own classroom.
• Monitor and evaluate T&L across the department through learning walks, book looks and peer observations.
• Drive innovation in the classroom to ensure lessons are engaging, challenging and accessible to all learners. Share practice with partner MFL teachers.
· Lead on enrichment elements of the MFL curriculum - schools trips and visits 3. Curriculum Design & Implementation: · An effective contribution to the co-curricular programme would centre on designing and overseeing a rigorous, carefully sequenced and knowledge-rich Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) curriculum that reflects both national expectations and the distinctive ethos of our academy. · To co-ordinate the MFL curriculum across the school in order to ensure continuity of learning and an appropriate level of challenge for all learners.
• Ensure the curriculum reflects diverse perspectives and equips pupils with critical thinking skills.
• Regularly review curriculum impact and adapt schemes of work to maximize student engagement and success.
4. Tracking Pupil Performance & Data:
• Lead the robust use of assessment data to track pupil progress across all key stages.
• Identify underachieving cohorts or individuals and implement rapid, highly targeted interventions.
· Monitor pupil progress and evaluate progress plans
• Report confidently on departmental performance to SLT, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement.
5. Leading with Our Virtues The successful candidate will embody the St Matthew Academy virtues in their daily leadership:
• Integrity: You will lead transparently, ensuring assessment data is accurate and used ethically to support pupil progress. You will foster a culture of trust and honesty within your team.
• Courage: You will not shy away from challenging conversations, whether addressing underperformance or advocating for innovative curriculum changes. You will bravely champion the Humanities within the wider school.
• Service: You will operate as a servant-leader, deeply committed to the academic and personal growth of our pupils and the professional wellbeing of your staff.
Our Commitment Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to enhanced safeguarding checks, including an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), documentary evidence showing your entitlement to work in the UK and online vetting, in line with safer recruitment practices. How to apply Please complete the application form or request an application pack, please contact HR on hr@stmatthewacademy.co.uk