Role Overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic, passionate and well-qualified teacher of Classics to lead the Classics department.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has a passion for Classics and teaching.
• Can lead the Classics department including curriculum planning and implementation, assessment design and monitoring, responsibility for external exam entries and mock moderation, organising and leading trips abroad, seeking opportunities for students to participate in external events such as competitions or workshops.
• Is an excellent classroom practitioner (or the potential to be one).
• Has a strong academic background and subject knowledge.
• Has a commitment to professional development and is fully informed of current educational initiatives, especially those relating to Classics.
• Has great communication skills.
• Has exceptional organisation.
• Is committed to the welfare of pupils.
• Has a desire to be involved in the wider life of the school.

Classics Department Information

Classical subjects are enjoyed by many Francis Holland girls and there is a regular uptake of most classical subjects at GCSE and A level. The successful candidate will join a vibrant and exciting department composed of another Teacher of Classics and a Teacher of Classics with History, with further teaching provided by colleagues in other departments when needed.

Latin is a compulsory subject in Years 7-9 and is taught on a lesson allocation of two periods of 35 minutes per week. The school has been using the new Suburani course since 2020, and all classes at KS3 and KS4 now use this course. The department’s commitment to updating and diversifying the curriculum has led to the successful introduction of the Invention of the Barbarian course at A level, and a project in Year 9 which celebrates the diversity of identities present in the ancient Mediterranean. We are firmly committed to the ethos of Latin reading courses which foster an understanding of the civilisation, values and achievements of the Romans, as well as a rigorous, engaging and stimulating approach to the Latin language. The department also runs a weekly KS3 Classics Club to develop interest in the subject in the Lower School.

At GCSE level Latin, Classical Greek and Classical Civilisation are all offered (following the OCR specifications) and the vast majority of pupils achieve between grades 9-7. Currently a good number of Year 9 pupils opt for one or more Classical subjects at GCSE level, with Latin classes averaging at around 5-8 pupils per year, and Classical Civilisation averaging 10-15. GCSE Greek is offered whenever enough pupils sign up for the course, with two pupils in Year 11 and three pupils in Year 10 at present. In the Sixth Form the department offers Latin and Classical Civilisation (also following the OCR specifications). The department teaches Roman City Life and Myth and Religion for GCSE Classical Civilisation and Invention of the Barbarian, World of the Hero (Odyssey) and Love and Relationships for A level Classical Civilisation. At A level last year all pupils achieved grades between A*-C. The department regularly sends pupils to study Classics and its related subjects at top tier universities both in the UK and abroad, with recent destinations including Bristol, Edinburgh, Liverpool, London, Oxford, Naples and the USA.

The Classics Department also has a strong relationship with the Prep School, which is based a 20 minute walk away from the Senior School. The Head of Classics overseas the Classics curriculum at the Prep School where pupils are taught Classics lessons consisting of classical mythology (in Year 4), Classical Greek (in Year 5) and Latin (in Year 6).

The School’s location is a tremendous asset, and pupils readily benefit from ease of access to a range of museums, London theatres and study day venues so an enthusiasm for enriching pupils’ education is important. Recent residential trips have included Rome in 2022 and Crete in 2024, with plans for a visit to the Bay of Naples in October 2025. The expectation is that each member of staff runs at least one major curriculum trip each year, and we would value new ideas to help further support the learning and wider enrichment of our pupils.

Application

Interested candidates are invited to submit an application via My New Term. The closing date for applications is 10:00am on Tuesday 18th March 2025. First stage interviews will be online via Teams on Thursday 20th March. Final stage will take place in person on Monday 24th March. The school reserves the right to appoint at any stage.