Teacher of Modern Languages

As one of Scotland’s largest and best performing independent schools, and an innovator in education and educational outreach, we are seeking to recruit a permanent, full-time, enthusiastic and suitably qualified Teacher of Modern Languages to join from August 2025.

Dollar Academy has been a co-educational day and boarding school since its foundation in 1818. Today, it provides an exceptional all-round education to around 1,350 pupils aged 5-18. It’s a fast-paced and exciting place to work. There is always something new on the go; we drive ourselves hard to achieve excellence in all areas for the benefit of our entire community, but especially for our pupils.

The school’s location is undoubtedly one of the most scenic in the country, set against the Ochil Hills and the historic Castle Campbell, but within easy reach of the major towns of the Central Belt and just 40 minutes from Edinburgh Airport. With around 1,350 pupils and 250 staff from Scotland and around the world, the Dollar community is welcoming and vibrant. The whole school sits within a single, stunning 70-acre campus, with excellent facilities for staff and pupils.

The Modern Languages Department comprises ten members of staff; there are also French, German, Spanish, Mandarin and Italian native-speaker Assistants.

Modern Languages are taught from Primary 4 through to Advanced Higher at Form VI (S6). The school operates a diversified language policy which sees pupils study French, German and Spanish from the age of eight, continuing with one of those from Junior 1 (P6) to the end of Form II (S2). They then have the option of adding one of the other languages later on in their school career. Mandarin has established itself as an alternative to European Language from Form I onwards. With few exceptions, pupils continue with the study of their language(s) until National 5, and the uptake at Higher and Advanced Higher is well in excess of national averages.

The successful candidate will be a dual or triple linguist, capable of teaching their specific languages at all levels as from session 2025/26.

The Modern Languages Department is very active in the area of trips, exchanges and contacts with the countries whose languages we teach. In addition, we have sent a number of former pupils on gap years to schools in Germany and Taiwan. A willingness to become involved in such programmes would be expected

LANGUAGES AT DOLLAR

The pattern of language teaching is as follows:

Prep 4 and 5 (Primary 4 and 5)

Foreign Language teaching begins in Prep 4. All pupils learn German, French and Spanish on rotation across the session. Teaching is based on vocabulary and fun interactive activities.

Junior 1 and 2 (Primary 6 and 7)

Foreign Language teaching continues in Junior 1, where there are four classes. Two classes learn French, one learns German and one learns Spanish. Dollar traditionally has a fairly large “new” intake in Junior 2, and to a lesser extent in Form I; pupils who enter the Academy at these stages are allocated to a language group.

Forms I and II (= S1 & S2)

By Secondary stage, the standard pattern is six or seven classes of approximately twenty pupils. Some of these classes learn French, some German, some Spanish. A number of pupils opt at this stage to switch to Mandarin. Pupils are given taster courses to test aptitude and enthusiasm for a second language.

Form III and IV (S3 and S4)

The vast majority of our pupils continue with at least one Modern Language to National 5.

Form V and VI (S5 and S6)

French, German, Spanish and Mandarin are offered at Higher. Advanced Higher in all languages is available in Form VI, as well as beginners' classes in Italian, Spanish and Mandarin.

The overriding aim, within the context of the wider curriculum, is to encourage and enable each pupil to go as far as they can in mastering the language(s) studied. We have over the years produced a good number of very confident and able young linguists, and look to continue and expand on this tradition in the years ahead.

The Academy has a rich co-curricular programme in which all members of staff are expected to participate.

The salary for the post will be in accordance with the SNCT main grade scales with the Dollar enhancement of 10% in addition. It should be noted that the Chartered Teachers pay scale does not apply to teachers employed by the Academy.

Our generous benefits package includes automatic enrolment in the Dollar Academy Teacher’s Pension Scheme; a sector leading defined contributions scheme, substantial reduction in school fees, access to onsite gym, swimming pool and parking, EAP, Cycle to Work and Retailer Discount Scheme.

Candidates should either be registered with the GTC Scotland, or eligible for registration.

The closing date for this role is noon on Monday 17th February 2025.

All appointments are subject to receipt of a satisfactory PVG Scheme Record or Scheme Record Update from Disclosure Scotland.