Required for: 19th April 2027 

Location: Chapter House, 22 Chapter Street - Westminster Under School 

Contract: full-time, temporary (fixed-term contract for one term to cover a sabbatical)

Salary: Westminster School has its own salary scale, and new members of staff are placed at a point relevant to their qualifications and experience. Details of salary will be discussed at interview with those candidates who are shortlisted. 

The deadline for applications is midday on Wednesday 7th October 2026. Interviews will take place in-person w/c 12th October 2026.

We are seeking a full-time, temporary French Teacher, from 19th April 2027. The role is full-time for one term only to cover a sabbatical. Applications are encouraged from both the maintained sector and the independent sector. The successful candidate should be able to teach French at all levels – from beginners in Reception through to Scholarship level at Year 8, though we recognise candidates might not have experience in teaching all these year groups at the point of application. Candidates should be equally confident in teaching native or near-native speakers. 

A willingness to engage in the cultural aspects of France and the French language is essential. In addition, the successful applicant will be willing to participate fully in the various extra-curricular activities – both academic and cultural – on offer within the French department and throughout the school. As examples, the French department organises a French breakfast for the Junior pupils, attends a French workshop to the BFI Southbank centre with the Year 5 classes, the French Library is becoming established, the Eurovision House competition is one of the many highlights at school and there is a pupil-led French magazine.

Pupils attend a trip in Normandy once every two years at the beginning of the October half-term break. A willingness to be involved in whole-school extra-curricular activities is also expected to some degree, whether that be leading teams, assisting with the Games’ programme, or being involved in Music, Art or Drama programmes. 

The Department 
The department currently comprises four members of staff in total (three full-time teachers) in which the Head of French coordinates policy across all the years. There is a strong and broad-based interest in French throughout the school, and the department enjoys a high profile. It has its own brand-new area within the school which are all well-resourced - rooms are equipped with computers and interactive whiteboard, and iPads for pupils are available.  

All pupils in the school study French - in Reception and then from Years 3 to Year 8. The department has an excellent record of success in preparing candidates for examination routes including scholarships for Westminster, Eton and other academic senior Schools.  

The position of the school in central London offers our pupils unrivalled opportunities for visits to theatres, museums and concerts relating to the art, music, theatre, cinema and history of countries whose languages are being studied, French included. 

The Teacher of French will be line managed by the Head of French. 

Teaching and Learning aspects of the role: 

• Plan, prepare, teach and evaluate lessons, activities and learning and teaching strategies in line with Schemes of Work located on our Intranet. Lessons taught should aim to be of the very highest standard. 
• Provide a safe, secure and stimulating environment in which consideration is given to the individual development of all pupils. 
• Differentiate learning and teaching and associated resources in a manner that challenges and interests the pupils and is appropriate to their needs and skill levels. 
• Apply any recommendations and guidance for pupils with specific learning or welfare needs or disabilities, as directed by the Head of Learning Development, or on the pupil’s personalised learning plan. 
• Apply, where appropriate, technology to enhance learning and teaching. 
• Contribute to and maintain consistency with, internal and relevant external marking schedules and moderation procedures. 
• Engage pupils fully in the assessment and self-evaluation process.  
• Carry out a range of formative assessments of pupils’ attainment to acknowledge and inform progress. 
• Record and report on pupil progress and achievements in accordance with the School’s requirements, including formal reporting points such as parents’ evenings and written reports.

Pastoral Care and Pupil Management  

• Put pupils at the centre of everything you do, taking a pastoral interest in pupils around the school, so that they feel valued and cared for.  
• Take the role of Form Tutor or Form Support Tutor within a year group. 
• Monitor the welfare of class pupils, providing guidance, advice and support, and fostering self-esteem.  
• Motivate pupils through praise, while being firm but fair. 
• Actively maintain the high standards of behaviour and uniform of pupils in the classroom and in all school locations and activities.  
• Write and maintain relevant records for individual pupil files and writing reports.  
• Communicate, respond to and consult with parents on a regular basis maintaining records, as appropriate. 
• Communicate and consult with other departments or members of staff to implement recommendations, policies or guidance.  

All teachers and other staff are expected to: 

• Promote and support the School’s Aims and Vision and School Development Plan.  
• Adhere to and support the School’s policies and procedures. 
• Accept responsibility for the welfare and care of all pupils, at all times. 
• Undertake break and supervisory duties as designated by the Senior Management Team. 
• Cover classes for absent colleagues as directed by Senior Management Team. 
• Attend staff meetings, parents’ evenings and other meetings and school events, such as the Carol Service and school concerts, outside normal hours. 
• Attend relevant school trips, normally including one residential visit per year. 
• Undertake any other duties or tasks as the Master, the Deputy Master or the Governing Body may reasonably require. 
• Engage positively in and contribute to INSET activities offered by the School.  
• Be involved in new initiatives within the School as part of ongoing professional development. 
• Take an active interest in maintaining subject knowledge, learning networks and current educational research. 

For this role, we can only accept candidates who already hold the legal right to work in the UK and if successful will need to provide evidence at interview. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorships for international applicants, or candidates currently working in the UK on a sponsored visa as we are unable to assist with renewal upon expiry.

Equal Opportunities
We are an equal opportunities employer. We therefore encourage candidates to apply irrespective of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion and belief, gender identity, sex or sexual orientation.

Safeguarding and Child Protection
Westminster Under School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Working at Westminster Under School

Westminster Under School is a busy, purposeful and vibrant place to be and an excellent workplace. The community is made up of around 292 pupils, 43 teaching staff and 50 support staff.

Westminster Under School is a friendly and welcoming place to work. There is a real sense of community here and staff members quickly become part of the rhythm of life, both inside and outside the classroom. Social events are regular and varied, with plenty of opportunity to socialise outside working hours. Support staff as much as teaching staff are encouraged to embrace the School’s day-to-day activities, whether that be attending a concert or a sports fixture.

At Westminster we will always select the best candidate for every position. We do know, however, that we can only truly choose the best person on every occasion if a broad and diverse pool of candidates see the job advertised and are encouraged to apply.

As such, we continue to work on how our job roles are encountered, and particularly welcome applications from groups who have traditionally been underrepresented here.

Westminster Under School is for everyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic. We hope you are encouraged to apply.

The School

Westminster Under School is a happy, ambitious, nurturing and inspiring world-class preparatory education for seven to 13 year olds. Pupils who love to learn are offered a supportive, dynamic and inspirational environment to fuel their curiosity. 

Located in the heart of London, the School overlooks the beautiful school playing fields in Vincent Square and is just a few moments’ walk from Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. It is closely connected to Westminster School; in 1943, Westminster expanded its educational scope by forming the Under School, and the two schools share the same Governing Body and the same ethos of a liberal education. 

Westminster Under School's curriculum is broad and diverse, aiming to foster a sense of wonder and inquisitiveness in children and encourage independent thought. The teaching programme goes above and beyond the National Curriculum and teachers are not tightly bound by syllabus. Pupils are taught a wide range of subjects by expert teachers who embrace opportunities for growth and promote diverse thinking, and who encourage them to ask questions about the world around them. 

While the School's standard of our education is of the highest quality, the School’s focus is not only on academic achievement. Westminster pupils receive a full and rounded education that includes sport, the arts and many opportunities to engage in community outreach; pupils frequently take part in concerts, plays and in both internal and external competitions, and the School hosts festivals and events throughout the year. Like its older counterpart, Westminster Under School is fully committed to each pupil’s spiritual, moral, emotional and physical development and wellbeing – with a particular emphasis on drawing out individual talent wherever it lies – and to prepare young people for fulfilled private and public lives.

From September 2026, Westminster Under School will have opened its brand new pre-prep for girls and boys at 4+ and girls will have joined boys in Years 3 and 7, at the 7+ and 11+ entry points. By 2030, with the introduction of girls into Year 9 at Westminster School in 2028, all year groups across the two schools, from ages four to 18, will be fully co-educational, reflecting the School’s dedication to inclusivity and excellence. 

Downloads

• WUS Teacher of French (one-term sabbatical cover) - person specification PDF Document