Further Particulars for Head of English Bloxham School
Further Particulars for Head of English – Bloxham School
The Post
We are looking for a well qualified leader with drive and vision to guide this department of five experienced teachers of English.
The Department
The Department comprises five specialist staff undertaking teaching over the full range of ages from 11 to 18. At present, about 18 sixth formers take A Level English in each year of the sixth form, following the specification of the WJEC board. We broadly follow the National Curriculum up to Year 11. All pupils take IGCSE English Language (Edexcel) and the majority of students also follow Edxecel’s IGCSE English Literature course. Excellent support is offered by the Head of Learning Support to those with specific learning difficulties, and about half a dozen able dyslexics in each year-group up to GCSE follow a dyslexia course instead of taking French lessons. Help is also offered in this way by two EFL teachers to those for whom English is a second language and the HoD will also offer a structured revision programme in the Lent term for IGCSE students.
The department is housed in the Great Hall block, and is well resourced. All staff at Bloxham are issued with a PC laptop, as are all pupils as they reach Year 9, which offers wireless access to the School’s network. This gives internet and email access throughout the school. PCs are regularly used to receive and send work to pupils via the Intranet. All classrooms are also equipped with smart projectors, and there is an ample budget for replenishing or updating existing teaching and literary stock. All students in years 7 - 11 are provided with ‘Holiday Readers’, texts which stretch and enhance their study in lessons. We work closely with the Librarian and are playing a key role in the development of a new Literacy policy. We take frequent parties to see live theatre in Stratford, Oxford, Coventry and London. There are annual competitions to foster interest and expertise in public speaking and reading, and lessons are offered by a visiting teacher to those wishing to undertake LAMDA exams in Speech and Drama. The Department is currently developing a new Creative Writing magazine and we take part in the annual KidsLit Quiz in Oxford. The Debating Club is also a popular part of the life of the school.
A willingness to play a full part, both curricular and extra-curricular, in the life of a boarding school is essential. Salary will be on the Bloxham scale according to the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant.
- Generous remuneration will be offered. There is a fee discount for the children of members of the Common Room.
- Housing may be available.
- Interviews will take place at the school on Wednesday25th March 2015when candidates will be required to take a classroom lesson.
At the interviews on 25thMarch, the candidates will meet the Headmaster, Deputy Head Pastoral, Deputy Head Curriculum, Chaplain, the Director of Studies and the English department staff.
Applications, including a completed application form and the names and addresses of two referees, should be sent to The Headmaster, Bloxham School, Banbury, Oxon OX15 4PE. The closing date for applications is 3pm,Wednesday 18th March 2015
Please note that applicants who do not fill in an application form will not be considered for the post.
The School
Bloxham is an independent, coeducational, boarding school founded in 1860, with 420 pupils of whom 140 are currently in the 6th Form. Bloxham School is a member of the Woodard Corporation, one of the few national organisations of schools that contain both independent and maintained schools. The staff pupil ratio is approximately 1:8.5 and academic standards are high. The normal ages for entry are 11, 13 and 16 and there are scholarships and bursaries available at all entry points.
Bloxham School stands in a very attractive North Oxfordshire village above the Cherwell Valley, about three miles from Banbury and the M40, and 25 miles from Oxford. The school estate consists of about 60 acres and there are many fine buildings. The school has outstanding facilities that enable it to offer a wide variety of sporting and other activities. Over £8 million has been spent in recent years on the building of a new Technology Centre, Business Studies Suite, and the refurbishment of the boarding facilities, Dining Hall and Kitchens. The most recent major project was the new Library, which opened in April 2006 and other recent developments have included: a second Astroturf hockey pitch, 2 new squash courts, Music and Art Schools have both been significantly expanded and the Great Hall modernised as a performing arts centre. We are also in the second year of a new and exciting system of assessments and reporting.
There is a lively, friendly and forward-looking Common Room and most members live either on campus or in the village of Bloxham and participate fully in the busy life of a boarding school. Staff are welcomed into the sports organisation and they also assist with a wide variety of other activities (academic, intellectual, cultural, outdoor and sporting). Each teacher is provided with a laptop computer. The boarding houses and Lower School operate a tutoring system and nearly all members of staff participate, each tutoring about twelve pupils. The life of the Chapel is an integral part of a Woodard School and teachers offer valuable leadership and support in this area as well.
Further details of the school may be found on our website: which has an integral E-prospectus.