UWCSEA has a vacancy for August 2025 at its Dover Campus for a new position: K-12 Head of English as an Additional Language (EAL). The successful candidate will lead the development and implementation of a coherent campus-wide direction for EAL as part of the student support team in line with College strategy.
The K-12 Head of EAL will also hold responsibility for leading and teaching EAL in High School (grades 9-12). Our High School EAL programme consists of dedicated EAL classes that incorporate studies in English language and some literature. In grades 9-10 we offer two courses in EAL and English for academic purposes), and prepare students for enrolment in either English B or English A in the IB Diploma from Grade 11. In Grades 11-12 our EAL learners follow the IB Diploma English B course, at Higher level.
Main Responsibilities
- Lead the EAL team on Dover campus with special responsibility for the High School team
- Line manage the Heads of EAL (note that the Heads of EAL will also liaise closely with and report to the Principal in their school)
- Represent the EAL team at Campus and College leadership meetings and contribute to strategic planning and decision-making on issues relating to EAL within a tiered support system
- Build a shared vision for EAL as part of the Student Support team (together with Learning Support and Counselling) that is aligned to College Strategy
- Coordinate long-term planning and implementation, review and development of EAL provision to ensure an aligned, coherent approach e.g. smooth transitions of students across schools (recognising that practices will need to be contextualised by school in order to be developmentally appropriate)
- Liaise with other K-12 and school leaders in student-support related areas (e.g. Counselling, Learning Support, Head of Multilingualism)
- Collect and analyse data to inform decision-making for EAL provision at a campus level
- Lead appropriate professional learning opportunities for EAL (supporting language learners is a responsibility of all teachers not just the EAL team)
- Develop and sustain effective relationships with other stakeholders (including admissions, boarding, English A)
- Reach out pro-actively to collaborate with East colleagues and other schools as appropriate
- Develop relationships with parents through proactive communication e.g. plan and present workshops for parents
- Provide consultation and support to maximise opportunities for students with English language learning needs to access our learning programme
Expectations and Standards
Person Specifications
- Previous teaching and leadership experience in a High or Secondary context, an extensive background in EAL, related disciplines and a recognized teaching qualification or certification are expected.
- A passion for working with young adolescents, with an understanding of the unique developmental needs of 14 - 18 year olds
- Experience and knowledge of the EAL needs of students K-12 (especially within a tiered system of support,) is an advantage
- Experience leading EAL within a large educational setting and interest in curriculum development for EAL
- Able to lead small groups and whole school or campus meetings
- Strong interpersonal, collaboration and coaching skills
- A track record of influential impact on colleagues (ie building capacity in others) outside the EAL department will be a significant advantage
- Teachers should be willing and eager to participate in the five key elements of a UWCSEA education: Academics; Activities; Outdoor Education; Personal and Social Education and Service.
- Academic expectations include enthusiastic participation in Professional Learning
- Pastoral expectations include the leadership of a mentor group, unless the teacher is exempted due to other responsibilities.
- On average the College expects a yearly contribution of two sessions per week in each season to Activities and/or Service.
- The College expects that teachers will participate enthusiastically in the curricular Outdoor Education experiences which are relevant to their students and will also occasionally volunteer for holiday Outdoor Education trips.
- A commitment to diversity and inclusion is essential alongside a willingness to adapt and develop pedagogy to meet the needs of our learners.
Applications
The UWC Mission is to make education a force to unite people, nations and culture for peace and a sustainable future. We are committed to creating a community in which all members feel safe and secure, and know that their authentic selves and individual differences are accepted with respect and care. At UWCSEA, we acknowledge that diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) is an ongoing and evolving process and strive to create and sustain a sense of belonging for all members of our community, past, present and future. All qualified applicants, including those who identify as a part of marginalized group(s) and individuals with (dis)abilities are all encouraged to apply. Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all the students in our care and expects all applicants to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices and all appointments are subject to interview, satisfactory references, identity and criminal record checks.
