Teacher of English – September 2025

The English Department at Epsom College is a vibrant, collaborative and academically ambitious team, pooling our passion for language and literature and sharp intellectual insights into a curriculum that aims to challenge and enrich our students.

Pupils begin their journey through English in the Lower School, where they develop their foundational communication skills, studying a range of poetry, prose and drama texts. As they move into the M4 (Year 9), students start to hone their skills in preparation for GCSE, taking on more challenging texts and pushing their personal, critical engagement with literature. We place great emphasis on students crafting and improving work; both the Romeo & Juliet coursework unit and the M4 Poetry Project encourages students to carefully consider their interpretation of literature, and to work towards true mastery of writing.

In Years 10-11, we guide around 180 pupils each year through the Pearson Edexcel iGCSE English Language and English Literature courses. These enable students to encounter a wide range of texts from across the globe, as well as continuing to improve their writing skills across fiction, non-fiction, and literary analysis. We believe our curriculum engenders not only an intellectual understanding of language and literature, but an intense enjoyment of it as well. Students leave the course well-equipped to communicate effectively in an ever-evolving world.

A healthy number of our pupils – between 20 to 40 each year – go on to take our English Literature A Level course, which is also officiated by Pearson Edexcel, making it a natural progression from the iGCSE curriculum. In this course, pupils gain both breadth and depth in their understanding of English Literature, studying texts from Renaissance drama to postmodern poetry. Teachers are afforded a great deal of freedom in their choice of set texts, enabling them to share novels, poems and plays which they are both passionate and knowledgeable about.

All students in the Sixth Form also take a ‘Core Curriculum’ subject in addition to their A-levels, for which the English Department offers a course in advanced writing and argumentation with the AP English Language and Composition course, as well as preparing students for the English Speaking Board’s Advanced Certificate in Spoken English. This is a popular choice of complementary course for many pupils who wish to continue practising their communication skills, preparing them for the world of work.

The English Department is committed to developing all pupils’ ability to express their ideas with confidence and many pupils participate in The Junior and Senior Dodd Public Speaking Competitions which are highly regarded. College teams have won rounds of the English Speaking Union and Rotary Public Speaking Competitions; the Senior Debating team has progressed to the Finals of the Cambridge Union Debating Competition and the Junior Debaters have debated in the Oxford Union.

Fortunately, the department is now located in a new building with light and airy classrooms, complete with ceiling-mounted projectors that link to staff 1-2-1 devices. Innovative seating arrangements are designed to maximise the collaborative nature of English lessons, and encourage teachers to eschew the traditional lecture format in favour of a lesson style that is more engaging and dynamic.

The department currently comprises ten teachers, including the Head of Department, and works closely with the Teacher in Charge of English as an Additional Language as well as the school’s Librarian, who is invaluable in supporting staff and students with resources and research skills. The College has an excellent library and an experienced and enthusiastic Librarian who is active in arranging visiting authors to work with many year groups. We have lately enjoyed talks and workshops by Daljit Nagra, Mary Lawson, Francesca Beard and David Walliams.

Finally, the department runs a rich programme of trips, as well as hosting many theatre and film showing in its state-of-the-art Lecture Theatre. We are currently in the process of organising a Sixth Form trip to Rome, to track the final, fatal tour of John Keats.

• To encourage a genuine enjoyment of and appreciation for literature based on informed personal responses.
• To enable pupils to become discerning readers and critics, capable of responding with insight and perceptive judgement to a wide range of texts.  
• To enable pupils to listen attentively and to speak with confidence in a wide variety of circumstances. 
• To foster the ability to read accurately and fluently, and to evaluate a wide range of texts critically.
• To develop pupils’ ability to write clearly and accurately, using vocabulary precisely, and structuring sentences, paragraphs and whole texts effectively.
• To develop pupils’ personal, social, cultural and historical awareness and understanding through their study of literature. 

• The department has been at the forefront of developing new uses of technology in the classroom and pioneering approaches to assessment and feedback.
• As a core subject, in which the development of literacy skills is paramount to pupils’ success, English has a unique position within the school to take centre stage in pushing forward the wider aims of the College.
• There is a purposeful atmosphere of collaboration in the department in which all colleagues work together and support each other to review and refine schemes of work and teaching practices.
• As a department, we pride ourselves on the wealth of opportunities that we provide for our pupils, both inside and outside the classroom, from 1-2-1 support and activity sessions to arranging a wealth of visiting speakers, workshops, theatre trips and lecture days for all year groups.

The successful applicant for this post will be expected to:

• Teach a standard timetable allocation (currently full time 21 lessons of 50 minutes over a six-day timetable) or part time allocation;
• Contribute to the successful teaching of the subject in years 7 to 13, adapting and reassessing lesson plans to meet specific student needs, liaising with the Academic Support Department as necessary;
• Be responsible for the processes of assessment, recording and reporting for the pupils in their charge;
• Assess pupils’ work frequently in line with Departmental and school policy and use the results to inform future planning, teaching and curricular development;
• Be familiar with school assessment and reporting procedures and prepare and present informative, helpful and accurate reports to parents both in writing and at parent consultation evenings;
• Enhance the quality of teaching and learning in the Department and wider College through sharing resources and good practice, lesson observation, collaborative teaching, mentoring and active participation in continuing professional development;
• Consolidate and extend learning, encouraging pupils to take responsibility for their own learning;
• Set high expectations for all pupils to deepen their knowledge and understanding and to maximise their achievement;
• Use positive management of behaviour in an environment of mutual respect that allows pupils to feel safe and secure and promotes their self-esteem;
• Make a positive contribution to the efficient running of the Department, including setting and marking examinations, writing Schemes of Work, attending departmental meetings, and undertaking administrative and other tasks as delegated by the Head of Department;
• Play an active role in the co-curricular life of the Department, including contributing to support sessions, extension programmes, competitions, trips, open days, prep school events, and so on;
• As requested by the Assistant Head: Total Curriculum, contribute fully to the school wide co-curricular programme outside of purely academic areas, across all three terms and the six day working week.  This could include assisting with coaching and running a sport team, training with the Combined Cadet Force or DofE programmes, delivering high quality and innovative activities across a range of age groups, assisting with whole school events and contributing to the Total Curriculum in whatever way is best required by the College;
• Work as a tutor in either the Lower School, or in a day or boarding house as requested by the Deputy Head: Pastoral & DSL;
• Adhere to, and promote, all College policies and procedures;
• Undertake any other reasonable task as directed by the Head, Deputy Head Academic or Head of Department.

This job description is indicative of the expected duties and responsibilities of a teacher at Epsom College.  Given the dynamic and evolving nature of teaching and learning this job description is fluid and would expect to alter as the College’s teaching and learning strategy and academic developments evolve.

Epsom College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.

Essential

• Possess an excellent degree in English or related subject;
• Demonstrate the ability to teach GCSE and A Level;
• Demonstrate an innovative and imaginative approach to teaching and learning, showing the capability to deliver inspirational and informative lessons to a variety of age ranges and abilities;
• Display a willingness to be involved in all aspects of departmental development, be a dedicated team-player who strives for excellence and leads by example;
• Be able to demonstrate a positive and authoritative rapport with all pupils, showing excellent and effective classroom management skills;
• An understanding and appreciation of safeguarding protocols;
• Show excellent communication skills to enable effective dialogue with pupils, parents, staff and visitors;
• Be organised and self-motivated, with a proven record for meeting targets and deadlines;
• Have a sharp and progressive vision of the subject and of teaching and learning in a successful and dynamic school;
• Display an ability to perform well and remain professional whilst under pressure, be tactful and discreet, whilst mindful of observing Safeguarding and professional standards
• Be committed to boarding school life and willing to engage in a range of co-curricular activities
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to personal continuous professional development

Display a smart and professional appearance, representing the College in a positive manner.

Desirable

• Provide evidence of an impressive track record of GCSE and A Level results;
• Ability and willingness to teach a second subject.

In order to arrive at a decision, the selection panel may enhance the desirable criteria and we reserve the right to appoint at any time during the recruitment process.

The College has its own salary scale, and offers a generous fee remission for the sons and daughters of staff along with other benefits including private health care plan and fitness centre membership and accommodation may be available.

In compliance with statutory safer recruitment regulations, the offer of the role would be made subject to receipt of references, proof of relevant qualifications, Teaching Regulation Agency and other relevant checks for teaching positions in the UK, obtaining a letter of professional standing from the professional regulating authority for teachers who have worked outside the UK where appropriate, a check of online search engines and websites of publicly available information that does not identify the candidate as potentially unsuitable to work within a school setting, sighting of birth certificate, Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check, an overseas check, if appropriate, and pre-placement medical assessment that are all satisfactory to Epsom College.  Proof of entitlement to work within the United Kingdom will be required. Prior to interview, an online search of internet search engines, websites and other publicly available and publicly accessible platforms to ascertain applicant’s suitability to work within a school environment will be undertaken on applicants that have been shortlisted.  

All employees are required to ensure that all duties and responsibilities are discharged in accordance with the College’s Health and Safety Policy.  They should take reasonable care for their own Health and Safety and that of others who may be affected by what they do or do not do.  Staff should correctly use work items provided by the College, including personal protective equipment in accordance with training and instruction.   

Anyone wishing to discuss these details further may contact Rebecca Brown, Deputy Head: Academic, Rebecca.Brown@epsomcollege.org.uk or Ben Campbell Acting Head of Department, Benjamin.campbell@epsomcollege.org.uk 

Applications will be assessed upon receipt and interviews may be arranged over the Easter holiday period to assist with notice period of successful applicant(s).

In compliance with Statutory Safer Recruitment Regulations, candidates are asked to complete an online Application Form available from our website www.epsomcollege.org.uk along with a letter of application and submit these as soon as possible.  Applications will be assessed in order of receipt and interviews and subsequent offer may occur at any stage after applications are received. We therefore invite interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.  

Closing Date 11^th April 2025.

Applications will be assessed upon receipt and interviews and appointments may take place before the closing date.

Please contact Vikki Stroud, Recruitment and HR Manager, with any queries regarding the application process on 01372 821000 vikki.stroud@epsomcollege.org.uk