Head of MFL Portuguese

ROLE SUMMARY:

King’s College School, Cascais, a distinguished member of the Inspired Education Group, is seeking an experienced and dynamic Head of Modern Foreign Languages (Portuguese) to lead our Portuguese language department. Our school offers the Cambridge International curriculum, including IGCSEs, and is set to introduce the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in 2026. We are committed to fostering academic excellence and holistic development in a vibrant, multicultural environment. This role presents an exciting opportunity to shape the future of our Portuguese language program and inspire the next generation of linguists.

In addition to your interest in this role, you might also be interested in our annual in-person global career event, taking place in London on Saturday 18th January 2025. This school and up to 35 other schools from across the UK and international Inspired Education network will be attending and looking to speak to people seeking a new teaching role from August 2025. For more information and to register your interest in the event, please click here: https://jobs.inspirededu.com/job-invite/3761/

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leadership and Management: Lead the Portuguese language department, overseeing curriculum development, teaching standards, and resource allocation to ensure high-quality education.
• Curriculum Development: Design and implement a comprehensive Portuguese language curriculum aligned with Cambridge International and forthcoming IB standards, fostering linguistic proficiency and cultural awareness.
• Teaching Excellence: Deliver engaging and challenging Portuguese lessons to students from Years 7 to 13, ensuring excellence in academic outcomes across all levels, including Sixth Form.
• Assessment and Evaluation: Develop and administer assessments that accurately measure student progress, providing constructive feedback to support individual learning needs and preparing students for top examination performance.
• Professional Development: Mentor and support Portuguese language teachers, facilitating professional growth and promoting best practices within the department.
• Collaboration: Work closely with colleagues across departments to promote interdisciplinary learning and contribute to the school’s academic initiatives.
• Student Engagement: Encourage student participation in extracurricular activities related to Portuguese language and culture, such as language clubs, competitions, and cultural events.
• Quality Assurance: Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the Portuguese language curriculum and teaching methods, implementing improvements as necessary to maintain the highest standards.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE:

• Educational Background: A degree in Portuguese Language and Literature or a related field, with a strong academic track record (e.g., First or Upper Second Class Honours) and a recognized teaching qualification.
• Proven Academic Excellence: Experience teaching Portuguese at GCSE and IB (or equivalent, such as A Levels), with a history of securing top academic outcomes, including high proportions of students achieving top grades.
• Analytical Insight: The ability to articulate what drives excellent progress and performance in Portuguese examination specifications, providing a clear vision for academic success.
• Experience in Academic Environments: A minimum of 2 years’ teaching experience in a fast-paced, academically ambitious school, including teaching Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13).
• Leadership Skills: Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a department, with strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Innovative Teaching: A passion for teaching and the ability to inspire students through creative and engaging lessons.
• Assessment Expertise: Experience in developing and implementing effective assessment strategies to monitor and enhance student learning.
• Commitment to Growth: A proactive approach to personal and professional development, staying updated on advancements in Portuguese language education.
• Collaborative Mindset: A collaborative approach to working with colleagues, students, and the wider school community.
• Cultural Awareness: An appreciation for working in a multicultural environment and the ability to connect with students from diverse backgrounds.

SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT

Inspired Education Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practices and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.