Committed Head of Whole School Modern Foreign Languages: Primary and Secondary leader who is 14 years qualified, UK trained with 8 years of KHDA, BSO and GEMS Review Inspection experience in Dubai. I am proficient in teaching Spanish to KS5 and French to KS3 and have taught both AQA and Edexcel exam boards throughout my career and have an excellent track record of results.
Accredited StepLab Coach
Additional Language Facilitator (GCSE Persian, Russian, Modern Greek, Italian, Turkish and Urdu)
Designer of MFL spiral curriculum underpinned by the Science of Learning and Teaching Principles.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
11
11
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Whole School Leader of Modern Foreign Languages
GEMS Wellington Academy Al Khail
Dubai
09.2017 - 01.2025
My role includes, but is not limited to the following:
Strategic vision and leadership of the Modern Foreign Languages Faculty.
To represent the faculty in the context of whole-school needs at Middle/Senior Leadership level.
Teaching and Learning
To lead and secure high standards of teaching and learning across the whole Modern Foreign Languages curriculum embedding The Science of Learning and Teaching Principles to achieve Outstanding outcomes.
To keep up to date with national and developments in the curriculum and in pedagogy, and to lead new curriculum initiatives.
Developing an effective coherent spiral curriculum offer for each key stage that has effective transition throughout.
Strategic Lead on the tracking of progress for students at all key stages.
Assessment
To prepare and implement a policy on assessment and feedback consistent with the school policy and to ensure the keeping of accurate records on each student.
To lead and manage the team, marking and moderation of coursework/controlled assessment in accordance with Examination Board regulations, and to maintain accreditation with the relevant examination and validating bodies.
Take the lead in the quality assurance/ IQA’s working with the key stage leads within Modern Foreign Languages.
To ensure that staff use data provided by the school to effectively inform planning, teaching, assessment and the setting of subject specific targets identifying barriers to learning and implementing strategies to support improvement.
To ensure that internal examinations and test papers adequately and fairly reflect appropriate units of study and enable formative, as well as summative assessment of academic progress.
Overarching responsibility for the outcomes of students within Modern Foreign Languages at each key stage.
To play a full part in the life of the school community, to support its mission of Limitless Learning and ethos and to encourage and ensure staff and students follow this example.
To promote teamwork and develop effective working relationships across all staff in all key stages.
To ensure that the MFL department is a happy department and staff are proud to be part of the team.
Head of Spanish
Rainhill High School
Liverpool
09.2012 - 07.2017
It was my responsibility to maximise achievement for every student, to develop a broad and innovative curriculum whilst keeping in line with curriculum changes
To lead by example; being responsible for assessment and examinations
I also organised trips to Spain
Operations Manager
The Luxury Property Show Ltd
Liverpool
09.2008 - 06.2011
I was tasked with delivering flawless Operational Management for both Luxury Property shows in Earls Court and Olympia, London; an international property event attracting exhibitors from around the globe and 3000 visitors annually
I managed the company’s accounts, was the key contact for exhibitors, liaised with other partner companies and managed both external contractors and team staff
Spanish Tutor
Academy International
Liverpool
06.2008 - 06.2011
Tutoring children [aged 3-17 years] both individually, and in a group setting for AQA and Edexcel exam boards.
I also tutored 2 adults who wanted to learn conversational Spanish.
Education
BA - International Business Studies and Spanish
Liverpool John Moores University
09.2004 - 06.2008
A2 - SPANISH, French, Geography, Biology
Broughton Hall High School
Liverpool, United Kingdom
09.2002 - 07.2004
GCSE - Spanish, Dual Science, French, Food Technology, Religious Education, English Literature, Mathematics, Geography, English Language
Broughton Hall High School
Liverpool, United Kingdom
09.1997 - 07.2002
PGCE - Spanish with French
Liverpool Hope University
09.2011 - 06.2012
References
My most recent reference is available upon request.
Mrs. Gemma Thornley, Previous Principal & Line Manager (4yrs at Gems Wellington Academy International Academy), The Arbour School Dubai, gthornley@thearbourschool.ae (2020-2024)
Mr. Douglas Pettitt, Previous Secondary Principal & Line Manager [3yrs at Gems Wellington Academy], Deira International School, Dubai, Dpettitt@disdubai.ae (2017-2020)
Mrs. Diana Shakeshaft, Head of Department, St Wilfrids High School, Blackburn, BB2 2JR, diales@btinternet.com (2012-2017)
Timeline
Whole School Leader of Modern Foreign Languages
GEMS Wellington Academy Al Khail
09.2017 - 01.2025
Head of Spanish
Rainhill High School
09.2012 - 07.2017
PGCE - Spanish with French
Liverpool Hope University
09.2011 - 06.2012
Operations Manager
The Luxury Property Show Ltd
09.2008 - 06.2011
Spanish Tutor
Academy International
06.2008 - 06.2011
BA - International Business Studies and Spanish
Liverpool John Moores University
09.2004 - 06.2008
A2 - SPANISH, French, Geography, Biology
Broughton Hall High School
09.2002 - 07.2004
GCSE - Spanish, Dual Science, French, Food Technology, Religious Education, English Literature, Mathematics, Geography, English Language
Academic Secretary & PA to the Secondary Principal at Gems Wellington Academy Al KhailAcademic Secretary & PA to the Secondary Principal at Gems Wellington Academy Al Khail