Job Description

The WHSB German Department aims to provide outstanding teaching in what is the most-widely spoken native language in Europe, while instilling an appreciation for the rich cultural heritage and diversity within the German speaking countries. German is a well-established subject at this School and has been taught at Westcliff High School for Boys (WHSB) for over 50 years. We have achieved consistently good results in GCSE and Advanced Level. German remains a very popular choice for our pupils.

The Department offers a variety of additional clubs which pupils can attend, aimed at supporting those in need or extending the knowledge of the most able. We have a particularly effective mentoring scheme, in which Years 9, 10 and 11 pupils mentor those in the Lower School. Sixth Form students of German offer conversation practice to GCSE pupils of all abilities. Pupils participate in various competitions, such as the Spelling Bee, the Anthea Bell Prize, Mother Tongue, Other Tongue and whole school competitions organised by our Language Leaders in Years 10 and 11. Further to this, we organise a range of activities for Enrichment Days and the European Day of Languages.

Accommodation and Facilities
The German Department is well-equipped, and we work with textbooks and online resources. Pupils are also offered the opportunity to buy a grammar workbook which accompanies the textbook. The Modern Foreign Language Department is based in six spacious classrooms (one of which is a fully equipped language laboratory). There are whiteboards, projectors and speakers in all classrooms. All staff are trained in the use of the language laboratory to enable them to use it effectively to support Teaching & Learning.

Curriculum
The curriculum incorporates contexts familiar to pupils in their everyday lives and teaches them the vocabulary that they need to communicate with young German people of their own age on topics that interest them. They are introduced to the everyday life and the culture of Germany and other German-speaking countries, encouraging intercultural understanding. At the same time, we ensure pupils are taught language learning skills and strategies that they need to become independent language learners.

In Years 7 - 9 and at GCSE, we use STIMMT (Pearson). Teachers are also able to use Active Teach, which provides an easy-to-use and exciting technology, designed to add dynamism and engagement to whole-class teaching. From Year 7 onwards, we use a range of extra materials and assessments to introduce, consolidate and extend pupils' understanding of the GCSE 9-1 specification.

The AQA GCSE 9-1 Curriculum builds upon the work that has been completed in Years 7-9, both consolidating as well as extending it in order to enable pupils to achieve the very highest grades.

The majority of the course is covered in Year 10 and the aim is to finish the course content by the February of Year 11, allowing sufficient time for revision in preparation for the public examination.

For Advanced Level, we are using the new AQA approved German course book (Hodder Education) and a range of stimulating online resources and authentic material. A Level students in the past have had the opportunity to undertake a work experience placement as part of our Exchange.

Examination Results
The GCSE and A Level results in German have been consistently above the national average.

Job Purpose:

The teacher is required to carry out the general professional duties of a school teacher under the reasonable direction of the Head of Department and Headmaster and to perform such particular duties that from time to time which may reasonably be assigned him/her by the Headmaster. Teachers on the Upper Pay Scale (UPS) will be expected to make broader contribution to the School as a normal part of their work. An ability to teach a second language (Spanish or French) would be an advantage.

Information about the School

Westcliff High School for Boys (WHSB) is an Outstanding Grammar School. We continue to hold dear our values and traditions whilst fostering academic excellence and a dynamism which allow us to provide a twenty-first century world class education.

Our record of success is reflected in our outstanding A Level and GCSE results and we are committed to providing the highest standards in all aspects of our provision for pupils.