Latymer Upper School |

Becoming a Teacher

We are a school that values diversity and individual contribution; supporting and encouraging staff to pursue their interests and achieve their ambitions.

If you have exceptional subject knowledge and are seeking a career in which you too can inspire and enthuse highly academic young people to develop a sense of curiosity and love of learning; why not consider joining us as a teaching apprentice? We are fully committed to supporting and developing you as a new teacher; providing the opportunity to gain QTS via the apprenticeship route alongside hands on practical teaching experience in the classroom.

As a salaried route into teaching, the Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship programme is a nationally-recognised, work-based route into teaching. It is an alternative to a traditional full-time university course, offering a postgraduate-level qualification, no tuition fees, and the opportunity to earn a salary of £35k while you learn.

Professional Support and Career Development

Latymer has a warm, supportive and friendly common room with around 140 full time teachers. The staff are professional, highly qualified, knowledgeable, passionate about their own subjects and understand the importance of the breadth of the educational experience across the school.

Teaching at Latymer involves working daily with pupils who are excited about their learning and who are ready to work collaboratively with their teachers to achieve shared goals. Pupils are quick to share the enthusiasms of their teachers, both academic and through their leadership of broader educational activities throughout the school. Relations between teachers and pupils are excellent, based on a common purpose, friendliness and mutual respect. Pupils and staff enjoy an excellent rapport.

Some of the extensive sources of support that will be available for you to access during your time with us are detailed below:

• We will assign you a subject mentor to develop your pedagogy and provide day to day on the job guidance to help and support your own development.
• You can work with a coach to help improve aspects of your teaching. You will meet with your coach and work on small targets to help you develop and grow as a teacher.
• Teacher Mentors; there to offer help, support and relevant training including new staff induction sessions.
• INSED days at the start of each term with the summer term’s day focused specifically on teaching and learning.
• Extensive apprenticeship programme delivered by e-Qualitas.

The school is dedicated to a policy of professional and career development and invests significant time and resources into making our excellent staff even better; with a coaching approach at the heart of this process. All staff participate in an annual and on-going Professional Review Process. Dedicated protected time is given to every teacher in order to help facilitate ongoing professional development. Teachers at all levels are also given the opportunity to sit on committees and working groups that help develop the policies and future direction of the School.

THE LOWER SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL

The main entry is at 11+ (Year 7). An active, friendly and caring school for pupils with good academic ability, Latymer values independence of thought and academic success within the security of a strong pastoral care system of tutors, Heads of Year and Heads of Division. Year 7-8 pupils study Maths, English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, Geography, RS, Mandarin, Spanish, Latin, Computer Science, Art, Music, Design and Drama as well as PE, Games and PSHE. There is an option scheme in Y9 which allows pupils to specialise to a limited degree by, for instance, opting to study one, two or three modern languages. All pupils also study our innovative Global Goals course. GCSE choice is wide and pupils study 10 GCSEs in addition to our own GCSE equivalent World Perspectives course. Pupils will also produce an independent report on an aspect of a global issue.

THE SIXTH FORM

Middle School pupils move directly into the Sixth Form, and there is an external 16+ entry of 30 – 40 students. The Sixth Form Curriculum is innovative, based around a ‘core’ and a choice of ‘electives’. All Sixth Form students choose to study 3 or 4 A level or Pre-U courses from a curriculum offering over 30 subjects as well as a Knowledge and Research Skills course and a Life Skills course. In addition students choose from a range of over 30 Latymer-designed short ‘Elective courses’ plus the Extended Project, and some AS courses. Classes are small and offer students the opportunity to receive specialised attention. Students are carefully prepared for Higher Education, via a well-resourced Careers Department.

Latymer Upper School aspires to be the school of first choice for the most able girls and boys in West London. The facilities are outstanding, with significant investment in recent years.

To apply, find out more about the school and our attractive staff benefits package, including an onsite gym, free lunch, multi-faith room, library and the possibility of on-site accommodation , please visit our website and view the section “Join our Team”.

Closing date: 9am Wednesday 31 January 2024

We will review applications as they are submitted, therefore suitable candidates may be interviewed before the closing date. We reserve the right to withdraw the position if an early appointment is made, therefore early applications are encouraged.

If you would like to discuss the role further or visit us before making an application, please contact our Director of Teaching and Learning, Yuvraj Nirwal – ymn@latymer-upper.org

Shortlisted applicants will be asked to teach part of a lesson in their chosen subject area and will also have both a subject knowledge based and general interview. If you have never taught in a classroom before we will be happy to provide you with advice and guidance.

FURTHER INFORMATION

This is a fixed term apprentice contract commencing in June 2024.

In order to be eligible for the apprenticeship role you must have completed a Bachelor of Honours degree related to your subject (preferably a 2.1 or above), have GCSEs C(5) or above in English and Maths (or equivalent) and Have been ordinarily resident in the UK for three years.

DIVERSITY

The School is fully committed to the principles of equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion. We have an established and representative staff Equality and Diversity Board to help drive forward positive change. A further Equality and Diversity Committee has recently been formed from our student population.

We are committed to attracting and retaining reflects the diversity of our students and local community. Acknowledging a lack of ethnic diversity within our teaching staff, we particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates for this role. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the School may employ positive action where diverse candidates can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.

SAFEGUARDING

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, online check and two satisfactory references.