Modern Languages Assistant (French)
Part time (approximately 4 days per week), term time
Starting September 2026
Executive Summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic and conscientious part-time Modern Languages Assistant for French to provide teaching support and administrative assistance in our Modern Languages Faculty from September 2026.
The successful applicant will speak French to native speaker level, preferably with a teaching qualification and relevant experience.
Familiarity with AQA/Edexcel examination boards would be an advantage.
Modern Languages at Headington Rye
The Modern Languages Faculty at Headington Rye Oxford is successful and dynamic with a significant proportion of A Level students going on to study languages at university, including Oxbridge. In 2025, 63% of students gained A*/A at French A Level and 80 per cent achieved Grade 7-9 at GCSE.
Core languages at Headington Rye are French, German and Spanish up to A Level and Italian to GCSE.
All pupils at Year 7 spend a year studying French, German, Spanish or Italian before choosing a second language through years 8 and 9, with the option of taking one or more to GCSE.
Native-speaker specialist language assistants offer conversation lessons to pupils from Year 11, ensuring a high standard in their oral examinations.
We run a wide range of enrichment activities, including our Languages Ambassadors scheme, visits and exchanges, as well as cross-curricular events with other departments in school.
The Modern Languages faculty has a suite of seven dedicated modern teaching rooms in the main School building, and smaller rooms for speaking lessons. Tablets are issued to all pupils in years 7-11 for use in lessons.
The drive, dedication and enthusiasm of the Modern Languages department ensures its success and popularity, and we look forward to welcoming a new member into our friendly and innovative team of linguists.
Role Description
This is a part-time (approximately 4 days per week), term-time role starting in September 2026
Key Responsibilities
- improve pupils’ oral skills and confidence by communicating in French up to A Level
- assist with administrative tasks as required
- assist classroom teachers in developing pupils’ oral skills and prepare pupils for oral examinations in Year 11 and Sixth Form
- provide teaching that is not exclusively based on oral practice for small groups of bilingual students and prepare them for relevant examinations as needed
- run a languages club
- organise a timetable of oral lessons and plan and prepare lessons for pairs or small groups
- research, resource and understand the issues arising from the topics and literary texts taught in the department
- be responsible for consulting schemes of work and to liaise with classroom teachers
Person Specification
Qualifications and Experience
Essential
- French to native speaker level
Desirable
- teaching qualification
- experience teaching French
- familiarity with AQA/Edexcel examination boards
Personal Attributes and Skills
- excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- ability to motivate and enthuse others
- adaptability and show good judgement
- have a positive manner and a sense of humour
- sympathy with the values and ethos of the School
Terms of Appointment
Type of Contract
Part time (approximately 4 days per week), permanent, term time starting in September 2026.
Benefits
Pension
Contributory membership of the School’s Support Staff Pension Scheme with a School contribution of up to 9.95 per cent upon successful completion of six months’ service.
Fee remission
In accordance with the School’s policy, which may be subject to change, up to 50 per cent fee remission for pupils attending Headington Rye Oxford and up to 20 per cent fee remission for boys attending Magdalen College School (under a reciprocal agreement) and subject to the terms of their policy. Fee remission is calculated on the number of weeks and hours worked and is pro rata for part-time staff who work at least 50 per cent of a normal working week.
Salary
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Additional Benefits
All staff have access to a broad programme of wellbeing activities. The programme currently includes access to the School’s gym and swimming pool, weekly Step and Tone, Spinning and Zumba classes and regular staff social activities such as Book Club and Staff Choir. Staff also benefit from free access to the Employee Assistance Programme, a free, confidential helpline that offers advice on a range of issues. Free restricted parking is available for all staff on site.
Appointment Process and How To Apply
Applicants should submit an application form and a covering letter detailing their skills and experience to recruitment@headingtonschool.com
- Applications will only be accepted from candidates completing the application form in full. CVs will not be accepted in substitution for completed application forms. However, they may be sent in addition to the application form.
- We will seek references on shortlisted candidates and will approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifications, before the interview. References will ask about your suitability to work with children.
- If you are invited to interview you will receive notification outlining the interview process and guidance regarding the documentation you are required to provide.
Closing Date: Please apply immediately
Applications are reviewed and shortlisted on a rolling basis and we reserve the right to interview, appoint and close adverts early depending on the volume of applications we receive. We therefore encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment as once we have closed a vacancy you will be unable to submit your application form.
All appointments are subject to satisfactory completion of all employment checks, ie references, Disclosure and Barring Service, medical questionnaire, Right to Work in the UK.
Headington Rye Oxford is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and DBS and barred lists checks. The School expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
