TWYCROSS HOUSE SCHOOL
Post of Teacher of Classics (to cover Maternity Leave)
The School
Twycross House School is a mixed independent day school with some 380 pupils aged from 8 – 18. It is housed in a listed building and various outbuildings dating back to 1703, set in ten acres of grounds on the village green. The feel of an old country house is preserved and fosters the warm family atmosphere which characterises the school's pastoral care. All adults in the school are charged with looking out for the children's welfare and seeing that high standards of behaviour and courtesy are maintained, so that our children grow into confident and considerate young people.
Applicants sit an entrance examination supported by an interview and reference from their previous school. An academic education of high standard is provided leading to GCSE,
A-level and university entrance. The school has an outstanding record of achievement in public examinations and in placing 6th formers at top universities.
The curriculum includes English, mathematics (with further mathematics), physics, chemistry, biology, electronics, French, German, Spanish, Latin, Greek, classical civilisation, history, geography, religious studies, economics, art, music, drama, ICT, computing studies and PE/games. The maximum class size is 20, but examination sets are kept much smaller than this; indeed, we will run a GCSE or A-level class for a single person if need arises. The children are taught by subject specialists throughout the school, with French and separate laboratory-based sciences from age 8. They are carefully monitored and offered learning support, general mentoring or extension work as required.
Sport plays an important part in the life of the school, with football, Ultimate (frisbee) and basketball being particular strengths; facilities include a sports hall, swimming-pool, outdoor pitches and courts. All pupils are encouraged to participate in dramatic and musical activities, as well as clubs and activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh's award. The school runs field-trips and summer visits to sites of interest in Greece and other European countries. All the children help to organise charity events and have raised well over £50,000for a number of charities in the past 7 years alone.
Twycross House Pre-prep School (The Hollies) is on the other side of the village green and caters for children from 4 to 8 years of age. It is in joint ownership with Twycross House School and most children from The Hollies pass through to the main school.
See the school website for further details:
Classics at Twycross House
Latin is taught as a compulsory subject from Form 5 – S3 (Years 6-9), using ‘Minimus’ followed by the Cambridge Latin Course as class text books. After this it becomes an option at both GCSE and GCE, with the possibility of taking GCSE as a timetabled oran extra-curricular subject. Classical Greek can be taken ab initio as a GCSE option with the possibility of carrying on to A-level. Classical Civilisation is available as an A-level subject. The OCR specifications are used throughout.
The classical subjects are valued highly at the school. In addition to the full-time head of department, thereare currently two full-time and three part-time specialists teaching the three subjects.
About one-third of the S4 (Year 10) students regularly opt for Latin, with smaller numbers for Greek; all three subjects are well represented at A-level and a steady number go on to study classics at university.
Job Description
The specific responsibilities are:
- to demonstrate a sound knowledge and understanding of classics;
- to demonstrate great enthusiasm for the subject and promote it throughout the school;
- to teach throughout the age range 10 - 18 as required within the department;
- to ensure thorough assessment of pupils’ progress by setting and marking regular tasks and tests;
- to report to parents, both verbally and in writing, as required within the reporting system of Twycross House School;
- to assist in the development of internal examination papers and schemes of work;
- to assist in the management and development of resources within the department.
All full-time teachers at the school take on the role of form-tutor and contribute to the delivery of the PSHE curriculum.
Personal Specification
Essential:
- an honours degree in classics and appropriate teaching experience;
- an interest in and enthusiasm for classics;
- ability to teach classics at any level required;
- ability and willingness to contribute to the school’s pastoral programme;
- self-motivation and initiative;
- flexibility and adaptability;
- reliability and punctuality;
- a strong work ethic;
- attention to detail;
- strong communication skills;
- to be a good ‘team-player’;
- an ability to form constructive and appropriate relationships with colleagues, pupils and their parents;
- to be a positive role model for inspiring pupils to achieve the highest standards;
- to be an ambassador for the school at all times.
Desirable:
- ability and willingness to contribute to the school’s extra-curricular programme;
- a sense of humour.
Summary of General Terms & Conditions
Post: Teacher of Classics
Hours: During the school terms, all school hours while the school is in session; and at any other times (including during school holidays, at weekends and before/after school) as may be deemed necessary in the reasonable opinion of the Headmaster for the proper performance of the employee’s duties.
Salary: Subject to negotiation depending on experience. Paid monthly in arrears not later than the last working day of the month and reviewed annually on 1st September.
Probation period: Six months.
Holidays: All school holidays in accordance with the published dates of term. Public and Bank Holidays occurring during term-time may be working days.
Pension: Service is pensionable under the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.
Retirement: The post currently has no retirement age but the Headmaster reserves the right to set a retirement age at any time in accordance with the law applicable at the time.
Sick pay: As teachers in the maintained sector.
Notice: The appointment may be terminated in writing by either party, giving due notice as stipulated in the contract of employment.
Application Process
Please send the completed application form and a covering letter summarising your suitability for the post and the qualities/experience you can bring to it. These should be sent to Mr S. D. Assinder (Headmaster), Twycross House School, Twycross, Atherstone, Warks, CV9 3PL.
Interviews will be arranged for a mutually convenient date.
This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Please note that current or previous employers will be contacted as part of the verification process and that the successful applicant will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check.
This school’s recruitment policy is in line with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and the DBS Code of Practice.
In addition to the candidates’ ability to perform the duties of the post, the interview will explore issues relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children: motivation to work with young people, ability to form appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with young people, emotional resilience in working with challenging behaviours, and attitudes to the use of authority and maintaining discipline.
Enclosures:
Application form
The school’s aims and ethos
GCSE/GCE examination results for the past two years
1