Head of MFL - French and Spanish
Job description
Original text imported from Reed
Head of Modern Foreign Languages
(French and Spanish)
Start date: September 2026
We are seeking to appoint an ambitious, inspirational and highly effective Head of Modern Foreign Languages to lead and develop our successful MFL department from September. The ideal candidate will be a specialist in French and Spanish, with the passion, subject expertise and leadership skills to drive high standards of teaching and learning across the curriculum.
The Role
As Head of MFL, you will:
· Lead, manage and develop the MFL department, promoting a love of languages and cultures
· Teach French and Spanish across Key Stages (including examination classes)
· Drive curriculum development and ensure strong progress and outcomes for all students
· Support and develop colleagues through coaching, mentoring and high-quality CPD
· Monitor and evaluate teaching, learning and assessment within the department
· Contribute to the wider life of the school and uphold its values and ethos
The Successful Candidate Will:
· Be a qualified teacher (QTS) with strong subject knowledge in French and Spanish
· Have successful experience teaching MFL at secondary level
· Demonstrate proven or emerging leadership skills
· Be passionate about languages and committed to inclusive, high-quality education
· Have excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills
· Be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people
We Offer:
· A supportive and collaborative working environment
· Motivated students who are keen to learn languages
· Opportunities for professional development and career progression
· Competitive salary in line with experience (TLR available)
How to Apply
To apply, please send your CV to
Key skills
AI-extracted from the job advert
Application advice
5 AI-generated recommendations to maximise your chances.
⭐ Highlight your QTS qualification and French/Spanish subject specialisms at the top as these are essential requirements
📊 Quantify your MFL teaching impact: 'Led department of 4 teachers, improving GCSE pass rates by 23%'
🌐 Emphasise any Key Stage 3-5 experience and examination class results you've achieved
🎯 Showcase leadership experience through CPD delivery, mentoring colleagues, or department initiatives
🤝 Demonstrate your commitment to inclusive education and safeguarding through specific examples
Suggested CV bullets
3 bullets our AI drafted for this specific advert, mirroring its ATS keywords.
Add these 3 bullets under your most recent experience:
- •Led MFL department of 5 teachers, improving GCSE French pass rates from 67% to 84% over 2 academic years
- •Developed Key Stage 3 Spanish curriculum incorporating cultural projects, increasing student uptake to GCSE by 35%
- •Delivered CPD sessions on assessment strategies to 12 colleagues, resulting in improved A-Level outcomes across 3 language subjects
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Letter preview — tailored to Prospero Teaching
Dear Hiring Manager,
Prospero Teaching's commitment to developing successful MFL provision aligns perfectly with my passion for French and Spanish education — which is why I am applying for the Head of Modern Foreign Languages position starting September 2026. My QTS qualification combined with extensive secondary MFL teaching experience positions me to lead curriculum development and drive examination outcomes across Key Stages 3-5.
My background in leading language departments and delivering high-quality CPD will enable me to mentor colleagues whilst maintaining the inclusive, high-standard education your school values. I am particularly drawn to the opportunity to promote cultural awareness alongside linguistic competency.
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Interview questions
10 questions generated from this advert.
Technical
- ›How would you develop the French and Spanish curriculum to ensure progression from Key Stage 3 to A-Level?
- ›What strategies would you use to improve speaking confidence in modern foreign languages?
- ›How do you assess language skills across the four key areas: listening, speaking, reading and writing?
- ›What role does cultural awareness play in your MFL teaching approach?
- ›How would you use technology to enhance language learning in your department?
Behavioural
- ›Describe a time when you had to motivate reluctant language learners. What approach did you take?
- ›Tell me about a situation where you had to implement a significant change in your department. How did you manage it?
- ›Give an example of how you've supported a colleague's professional development through mentoring or coaching.
- ›Describe a challenging parent or student situation you've handled. What was your approach?
- ›Tell me about a time when you had to balance competing priorities as a department leader. How did you manage this?
STAR answer examples
Model answers using the Situation-Task-Action-Result framework. Adapt to your own experience.
Describe a time when you had to motivate reluctant language learners. What approach did you take?
Tell me about a situation where you had to implement a significant change in your department. How did you manage it?