French Language Assistant

Location: Cambridge

Salary: £27,963 per annum

Contract: Fixed Term Contract (Until 31st August 2025)

Hours: Term time only (35 weeks per year)

The Perse School is one of the country’s leading independent co-educational days schools for children aged 3-18 who attend their Pelican, Prep or Upper.

The Modern Foreign Languages department comprises a wonderful team of teachers across four main curriculum languages (French, Spanish German, Mandarin) and three extracurricular languages (Italian, Japanese, Arabic).

The Role

The School wishes to appoint an enthusiastic, well-organised and engaging French speaker to assist with inspiring pupils to develop their French language skills for a fixed period until 31st August 2025.

The successful candidate will work to develop students’ spoken French skills and appreciation of Francophone cultures, as well as playing a key role in the preparation for GCSE, A Level and DELF speaking exams.

They are looking for a native speaker or a graduate in French with near-native language skills.

Key Responsibilities

The French Language Assistant is ultimately accountable to the Head through the Assistant Head (Compliance and Inspection), but day to day accountability will be to the Director of Modern Foreign Languages and to the Head of French for the programme of study

• Preparing and delivering activities to small groups of Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11 pupils to help get them ready for the role play, photo cards and conversation sections of the AQA GCSE speaking exam;
• Preparing resources for and teaching speaking lessons to Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth pupils to get them ready for the card section of the AQA A level speaking exam;
• Assisting Upper Sixth pupils with selecting, researching and preparing appropriate topics for their independent Research projects;
• Working with pairs of small groups of DELF A2, B1 and B2 pupils to prepare them for their speaking exams;
• Providing conversation practice with lower school students in small groups, where timetabling permits;
• Co-teaching and, on occasion, leading lessons across the age range;
• Helping all pupils to develop their speaking skills to ensure impressive levels of vocabulary, accurate grammar and correct pronunciation, leading to high levels of fluency, spontaneity and confidence;
• Developing all pupils’ understanding of and interest in Francophone cultures and current affairs;
• Ensuring lessons are tailored to meet pupils’ Special Educational Needs and individual ability level;

Skills and Qualifications

• Degree level (or equivalent) education;
• Native or near-native French speaker;
• High level of written and spoken English;
• Awareness of the GCSE and A Level French speaking exam requirements;
• Extensive knowledge of and interest in Francophone cultures and current affairs
• Genuine passion for working with and teaching young people;
• Demonstrate hight standards of behaviour and is able to model the School values (intellectual curiosity and scholarship, endeavour, breadth and balance, and valuing one another and the environment);
• Proven communication and interpersonal skills;

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for this reputable School, please click apply to be redirected to their website to complete your application.

Closing date: Wednesday 4th September at midday.

Applications will be considered as they are received. The School reserves the right to make an appointment before the closing date.

Interviews: Friday 13th September

The Perse School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including references from previous employers, a Disclosure and Barring Service check at the enhanced level, as well as eligibility to work in the UK (in compliance with UK immigration regulations). All work carried out at the School on a regular basis amounts to regulated activity.  This role is also exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. 

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone's responsibility. The School is committed to acting in the best interests of the child so as to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people. The School requires everyone who comes into contact with children and their families to share this commitment. Interviews will be conducted in person, and they will explore candidates’ suitability to work with children.