French Language Assistant

Brighton College is seeking to appoint a French Language Assistant, to start in August 2025 or January 2026.

French Department:

At Brighton College, French, Spanish, German, Russian and Mandarin are taught to A level within the timetable, alongside Italian and Portuguese as extra-curricular options. Languages are taught in a well-equipped classroom block using a wide variety of physical and web-based resources.

The French Department comprises two full-time and five part-time teaching staff, one of whom is a native speaker, as well as an assistant who provides support to senior pupils. The department’s results in public examinations are exceptional: In 2024, 87% of pupils achieved an A* or A at A-level and 85% of our GCSE pupils achieved an 8 or 9, and 100% a 9-7. French is currently a very popular choice at GCSE and A level.

The department currently offers three annual trips to France which are very popular: a French immersion trip to Nice at Easter for 5th and 6th form pupils; a trip to Lille for junior pupils; and a reading trip to the Provence for the Lower Sixth.

The Role:

The successful candidate’s primary responsibility will be guiding Sixth Form pupils through the A-level Independent Research Project (IRP), giving pupils support in their cultural understanding as well as their spoken French. In addition to overseeing the pupils’ IRP, the successful candidate will support the department in creating authentic resources and displays for all year groups.

They will also be involved in running and administering school trips and running additional classes for native speakers.

All teachers at Brighton College are expected to contribute to the school’s pastoral system, generally as a tutor in one of our 14 houses (of which six are boarding houses and eight are day).

There is also an expectation that all teachers will contribute to the co-curricular life of the school, through the extensive Games programme, and/or through the leadership of one of almost 100 school societies. Candidates are encouraged to point to interests and enthusiasms as part of their application.

Person Specifications

The academic success of Brighton is due to excellent, innovative and well-planned teaching. We are looking for individuals who foster a passion for learning and who can demonstrate an ability, and genuine desire, to develop pupils to their fullest potential.

In this role, language skills in French will obviously be of paramount importance, with native fluency required. The ability to communicate with and inspire teenagers in both English and the target language is also crucial.

Knowledge and understanding of GCSE A-level requirements would be advantageous but is far from necessary, although the ability to learn quickly is.

Those applying for the wider assistant teacher role will also need to demonstrate willingness to support the ambition and values of the school and to be involved in a breadth of College life.

Hours of Work

Monday to Friday, 8:15am to 4:45pm with a 30 minute unpaid lunch break (40 hours per week) during term time (35 weeks).

Additional Saturdays are to be worked for Open Mornings, admissions and weekend duty, as well as attending school trips (two of which fall outside of term time).

Holidays

Holiday entitlement is included in the salary for this role. All holiday is to be taken outside of the working weeks.

Benefits

• Contributory pension scheme with matching contributions from the employer up to 9%, which all eligible employees will be automatically enrolled into within three months of commencement of employment.

• Life Cover is provided whilst working at Brighton College after successfully passing probation period.

• Complimentary lunch is provided.

• Free tickets to the College’s music, dance and drama performances.

• Job specific learning and development programme available to all employees.

• Employee* benefit and rewards platform with a wide range of discounts, employee benefits and wellbeing resources.

Wellbeing

• Subsidised gym membership for the School of Science and Sport is available, which includes access to yoga and Pilates classes and use of the gym and swimming pool.

• Healthy heart checks.

• Generous sickness policy.

• Meditation sessions.

• English Language classes.

• Access to books, magazines and DVDs from the College Library.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• This role will involve daily contact with pupils and you will be engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.
• All staff and volunteers have a responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for who you are responsible and with whom you come into contact.

Senior School Teaching
(Senior School Teaching)

Permanent/Full Time

The salary for this role will be £23,280 per annum.