Job Description

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Modern Foreign Languages Department. The successful candidate will be an excellent addition to the department who can support students of all abilities and demonstrate a real enthusiasm for Mandarin.


Reporting to the Head of Mandarin, the Mandarin Language Assistant will work directly with the teachers in the Modern Foreign Languages Department to help develop pupils' communication and understanding of the language.


Main Responsibilities

Please see the full for duties and responsibilities for this role


The Ideal Candidate
The Ideal Candidate


The key duties and responsibilities of the role are as follows:

Help students prepare for oral exams by providing conversational practice with a native level speaker Have knowledge of the course specification and oral assessment format and marking criteria, to be able to fully prepare students for their final exams Assist small groups of students, on their own or with the class teacher, to introduce basic language skills and improve linguistic ability Encourage students to be ambitious and outgoing, and assist in developing abilities to better communicate their own beliefs and view of the world Help students understand different cultures Contribute to cross-curricular work in collaboration with other subject areas Develop lesson plans and extra-curricular activities focused on associated culture Work in accordance with the Department Guidelines for Language Assistants



About the school/organisation

ABOUT FETTES

Fettes College is a leading HMC co-educational boarding and day school close to the heart of Edinburgh. It has a strong tradition of academic, sporting and cultural excellence underpinned by outstanding pastoral care. Fettes opened its doors in 1870 and became fully co-educational in 1980: it is now an independent school of some 785 students. There are 594 students in the Senior School (13-18 years) and 191 students in the Preparatory School (7-13 years). Fettes follows the English curriculum of GCSEs, and the dual pathway of A Levels and IB. Our full-boarding ethos ensures weekends are vibrant and fun.



The academic staff in the Senior School consists of the Head and 91 full-time members of the Common Room. Our Prep School shares the same site and consists of a further 29 full-time teaching staff. Fettes is a collaborative community in which every member is working towards fully realising their potential whilst supporting those around them.


The school stands on a stunning and secure 100-acre site, but still within walking distance of Edinburgh's city centre. The historic main building holds the Chapel, Library, the English, Classics and History Departments as well as the Medical Centre and two boarding houses. A large purpose-built teaching block (the Spens Building) houses Art, Modern Languages, Mathematics, Economics, Geography and Music. The Theatre, Science Laboratories and Dining Hall are adjacent. The Preparatory School and seven further boarding houses (including a purpose-built co-educational U6th House) are also on the campus. Our sports facilities (including extensive playing fields, two all-weather pitches and a private Health Club) are excellent.


We have a commitment to build even more ground-breaking facilities, including a Wellbeing Centre and construction of new Science and Innovation buildings.


As well as our teaching staff we employ over 220 Operational Staff across the many departments, including Estates, Security, Housekeeping, Finance, Admissions and Marketing with a pervading sense of community amongst staff, students and parents alike.

OUR VISION

We have created and developed a bold new vision for Fettes, one which focuses on what we believe Fettesians should aspire to be, the skills they will need in life and the impact we want them to make in the world.


We have called this vision Fettes Moving Forward: A place to live. A place to learn. A place to grow. You can find out more about the vision - and how it shapes and informs Fettes' future at www.fettes.com/vision


Please also watch (with sound on) our film below - Ode to Place - which complements the vision and captures the ethos of Fettes College and what a Fettes education means.

THE AIMS OF THE COLLEGE

Fettes College will ensure that our students:

Feel valued and respected as individuals Receive the highest possible quality of education, engaging them in rigorous and relevant opportunities in a dynamic curriculum that creates lifelong learners Feel safe, have a sense of personal worth, are thoughtful and considerate of the needs of others, while possessing a willingness to take on responsibility Are encouraged to stretch and challenge themselves Develop a sense of self-confidence, integrity, emotional resilience, loyalty, good manners, leadership skills and teamwork Value a sense of community Are surrounded by inspirational caring staff Feel represented and are provided with equal opportunities regardless of gender, identity, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity or religion.
"Our Students will leave the school knowing themselves, looking out for others, capable of thinking critically and ready to make a positive mark on their rapidly changing world. They will be bold and visionary yet compassionate; they will possess a global perspective and be ready to embrace the opportunities of the future" Helen Harrison, Head




Package Description

Conditions of the Appointment

The appointment will date from January 2026 or sooner, depending on availability The role is a part time maternity cover (approximately 17 hours per week) and is for the period covering the first week in February 2026 to early March 2027 Salary will be in keeping with the rate set by the British Council for Language Assistants Employment will be subject to one month's notice on either side All applicants must be eligible to work in the UK A formal offer of employment is subject to a PVG check * Other details and conditions of service will be discussed at interview