French Language Assistant

About the Post

We are looking to appoint a well-qualified and enthusiastic native speaker of French to support students in their Frenchspeaking skills. The role will be a fixed term contract of about 22 hours per fortnight from 16 September 2024 until 16 May2025. However, actual hours will be confirmed in September once A Level student numbers are finalised.The team members you will be joining are dedicated and strive for excellence for all students at Redmaids’ High. We have ahighly inclusive culture, and it is important that any applicant shares our vision that all students can be successfulregardless of background or need.

We are looking for someone with the following attributes: excellent communication skills; able to build strong relationshipswith pupils and staff; flexible, self-motivated and enthusiastic; and able to work collaboratively as part of a team.

About the School

Occupying a spacious, green and open site near to Bristol city centre, Redmaids’ High School is the oldest Girls’ School in Britain with a history that dates back to 1634. Formed out of a merger between the Red Maids School and Redland HighSchool in 2016, we are proud to be one of the leading independent day schools in the Southwest.Staff and governors of the school are united in their vision of an ambitious and caring education, which helps each student

fulfil their aspirations. We are committed to playing a proactive role in encouraging students to define and shape not only the paths they will take but the wider world around them beyond their time with us. High standards of personal achievement are nurtured as part of a warm and supportive community where equal emphasis is placed on independence and co-operation. Students relish the chance to consider how their individual ambitions can be realised through effective collaboration, as well as throwing themselves into a diverse range of opportunities across the school.Staff development is an important part of our approach, providing staff with the best possible platform to demonstrate their subject passion and expertise. Inspiring students by communicating our own love of subject to them is a key part of our approach, reinforced through educational research and a collaborative environment. Technology plays an important part in the life of the school, with all students and staff having their own iPads. This has allowed us to develop a range of approaches to better work and communicate with students in all areas of the school, as well as developing the foundations for theirengagement with the changing world around us.

All members of the community are involved in the vibrant extra-curricular life of the school. Whether supporting our superbmusic, dance and drama productions, leading academic clubs and societies or participating in trips, there is much to enjoy for staff and students alike in the world beyond the classroom walls. We are fortunate to have superb facilities available across the school site; our Sixth Form centre is a world-class space, while the main hall provides an outstanding venue for productions and concerts and is a beacon for performing arts across Bristol.

Redmaids’ High is an inclusive environment and is continuing to take steps to enhance and improve our diversity and equality of opportunities. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and would strongly encourage you to apply for our vacancies if you are from a marginalized or underrepresented group.

Mission Statement

Redmaids’ High School is an inclusive community, based on happiness, aspiration and support for others.

Our statement is supported by our values, which outline the core aspects that will help us fulfil our mission.

These are:

• To know and understand each individual student.
• To help students to understand themselves and their strengths.
• To inspire students to forge a future of lifelong learning, in all its guises.

Our mission and values are simple, and deliberately so. We are proud of the achievements and destinations for all of our students, and this is the result of the hard work by all members of the community to ensure that students feel known and valued for who they are, as well as inspired about what they can be. We want all students to leave with the strong

sense that they can make a difference in their world, whatever they go on to do. A students definition of success is their own, but what we instill in them is a feeling that their sights should never be lowered by external forces.

Key Responsibilities

Under the direction of: Head of French

All language assistants at Redmaids’ High are responsible for:

• Providing regular feedback to students, in-line with the school and department marking and feedback policies;
• Assisting teaching staff in the development of learning strategies by the preparation of resources and maintaining a safe
• and suitable learning environment;
• Liaising with class staff with regard to progress, problems and work of the individual student;
• Helping maintain, monitor and develop resources;
• Delivering specific programmes of support to individuals.

Person Specification

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following skills and competencies:

• The ability to help students to prepare for the speaking test at GCSE by conducting conversation lessons in small groups, in line with the AQA specification.
• The ability to work with Sixth Form students individually to prepare for the speaking part of A Level and IB. Have a clear understanding of the requirements of each speaking examination, with appropriate guidance from the Head of French.
• Be up to date with current affairs and news in France and the French-speaking world.
• Provide extra support for students as required and run a weekly French clinic.
• Work with other language assistants to produce suitable displays for the MFL department.
• Support the teaching of French by finding and collating interesting authentic language resources. Help out with departmental work as necessary and as directed by the Head of French.
• Be willing to assist teachers on excursions where appropriate.
• Monitor attendance at oral classes, reporting absences to the Head of French.
• Liaise with the Head of French about students’ progress and effort.
• Safeguard and promote the welfare of all students in and visiting the school.
• Carry out any other reasonable duties associated with the role as requested by the Head.

Role Information

Payscale: Support payscale: Pt 26

Pay: c£7,895, dependent on confirmed hours of work; paid in eight equal instalments between October 2024 and May 2025

Hours: Anticipated 22 hours per fortnight (to be confirmed in September 2024)

Fee Discount: All roles at Redmaids' High School are accompanied by a generous parent discount on fees for staff whose