Vacancies

Current Vacancies

Lead Practitioner – Modern Foreign Languages

Whickham School is seeking to recruit an engaging and inspirational Lead Practitioner for Modern Foreign Languages. Our MFL & Social Sciences Faculty consists of 10 staff: a Faculty Leader, a Deputy Faculty Leader, a Programme Leader of Social Sciences and a team of very experienced teachers. Modern Languages are valued at Whickham School and the number of pupils continuing their MFL studies to GCSE level is well above the national average. Outcomes in languages have been consistently strong over a number of years.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an enthusiastic and committed individual to make a difference to the lives of young people. We place a strong emphasis on pastoral work and the role of a tutor, and use a restorative approach in supporting pupils. The school is heavily oversubscribed and results are consistently above local and national averages (progress 8 in 24/25 was +0.26). 

Our vision for all our pupils is that they are valued and inspired to be the best that they can be. We seek to develop the following 4 qualities in our pupils:

• Aspiration – Whickham students set aspirational goals that are ambitious and without limitation.
• Respect – Without compromise, Whickham students demonstrate respect for themselves, others and their environment.
• Resilience – Whickham students persevere with challenges especially when faced with setbacks.
• Empathy – Whickham students strive to be kind, caring and and understanding of each other’s feelings and needs.

One of our unique strengths and selling points is our commitment to staff which includes:

• Reduced teaching allocation to allow for each faculty to meet collaboratively for an hour each fortnight in specialist subject teams to support subject specific pedagogy and development
• Access to a range of salary sacrifice schemes 
• Leadership and Teaching & Learning development opportunities
• A supportive environment where work/life balance issues are considered carefully
• An excellent ECT programme which receives very positive feedback from staff and affiliated training providers
• Access to school fitness facilities out of school hours
• Higher priority for admission of children of staff into the school

Specific details and applications for the role and skills and qualities that the successful candidate will need to demonstrate, are available on TES.

We welcome visits by prospective applicants to the school. Please contact Nicola Hill on nhill@whickhamschool.org if you wish to arrange a time to see the school. Applications should be submitted by 9am on 13th March 2025 . 

Examinations and Administration Assistant, Full time, Permanent, Grade D: £24,790 to £25,183 per annum.

This is a new and exciting opportunity for someone who has the ambition to learn and grow with us. We are keen to provide development for the successful candidate to enable them to become a highly effective examinations manager in a large secondary school.

Whickham School is a high performing and over subscribed 11-18 school in Gateshead. Staff and students enjoy working and learning at our school and have created a culture that facilitates high levels of attainment and progress. Student progress is significantly above regional and national averages. The school has built an excellent reputation for the quality of provision for students. The school has made significant progress in becoming a place where students fulfil their potential. We want to recruit a colleague who demonstrates the ambition, drive and commitment to play a significant role in continuing this journey.

We are seeking a detail-oriented and organised individual to join Whickham School as an Examinations and Administrative Assistant. As an integral member of the examinations team, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth and efficient administration of examinations and assessments. Your responsibilities will include coordinating exam schedules, organising examination materials, managing examination venues, and providing support to students and faculty members throughout the examination process. You will be part of the wider administration team, providing administration support and some cover during school holiday periods.

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to work in a vibrant, supportive and inclusive environment where everyone is important to our success.

To retain and recruit the highest calibre staff the school offers a number of enhancements for colleagues. These include:

• High priority for admission of children of staff to the school.
• Access to school fitness facilities, including a gym.
• Access to  salary sacrifice schemes for  electric vehicles and bicycles. 
• Access to a range of training programmes to ensure professional development. 
• A supportive environment where work/life balance issues are considered carefully

Specific details regarding the role, skills and qualities that the successful candidate will need to demonstrate, are available on TES. All applications are to be submitted on TES. Comprehensive information about our school can also be found on our website.

Should you wish to have an informal discussion about the role please contact Steve Haigh (Director of Finance and Operations) Via email: shaigh@whickhamschool.org to arrange a suitable time.

Safeguarding Statement

Whickham School is committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants. Before applying, please review our Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders.

Equal Opportunities

Whickham School is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.

Casual Posts

• From time to time Whickham School needs people to fulfil casual posts such as mini bus driver, invigilator and caretaker duties.
• If you are interested in any of these types of roles and are able to work on an ‘as and when’ basis please complete a Support Staff Application Form
• Please forward your completed application form to  recruitment@whickhamschool.org stating the area of work you are interested in on your email.
• An enhanced disclosure and reference checks will be taken up prior to you being able to carry out any casual work.