Founding Teacher of English

SPGS International School (Singapore)

An exceptional opportunity to establish English at a new international school, bringing the educational philosophy and academic ambition of one of the world's most successful schools to Singapore.

SPGS International School (Singapore) is seeking an outstanding and intellectually ambitious Founding Teacher of English to join our dynamic founding team and play a defining role in establishing English Language and Literature at the heart of our academic programme.

Rooted in the 120-year heritage of St Paul's Girls' School in London, consistently recognised as one of the UK's most academically successful schools, SPGS International brings an extraordinary educational tradition to Singapore. Our ambition is to create something genuinely special: a school where intellectual curiosity, academic excellence, creativity and individuality flourish together, and where young people are encouraged to think independently, question confidently and discover the joy of learning.

This is a rare opportunity for an exceptional English teacher to shape a department from its very beginnings. With our Senior School initially serving students in Years 7 to 9, the successful candidate will take the lead in establishing the curriculum, literary culture and teaching approaches that will underpin English throughout the school. As the school grows, they will play a central role in developing an academically ambitious programme through IGCSE, where all students will be expected to study both English Language and English Literature, and ultimately into a rich and challenging A Level pathway.

We are looking for a teacher with a genuine love of literature, language and the power of the written and spoken word. Someone who can inspire young people to read widely, think critically, write with precision and imagination, and engage confidently with ideas that challenge and extend their understanding of the world. We want our students to encounter great literature, develop an appreciation of language in all its forms, and discover the pleasure of reading, writing and discussion as intellectual pursuits in their own right.

Our approach to education places particular emphasis on intellectual independence, scholarship and the confidence to question established ideas. In English, this means creating classrooms alive with discussion, interpretation and debate, where students are encouraged to develop their own perspectives, articulate their thinking and engage thoughtfully with the ideas of others. We believe that exceptional English teaching should develop not only accomplished readers and writers, but articulate, imaginative and independent thinkers.

An important dimension of this role will be working closely with our English as an Additional Language (EAL) colleagues to ensure that students from diverse linguistic backgrounds are supported to flourish within an ambitious English curriculum. We are committed to maintaining high academic expectations while recognising that students arrive with different experiences of the English language. The successful candidate will help establish an inclusive approach in which language development and academic challenge go hand in hand, enabling every student to participate confidently and meaningfully in the intellectual life of the school.

The successful candidate will have considerable scope to influence the direction of English at SPGS International. From curriculum design and the selection of literary texts to the development of debating, creative writing, theatre, public speaking and wider literary enrichment, this appointment offers the freedom to establish a distinctive and exciting subject culture. As the department expands, there will be opportunities to contribute to its continued development, working alongside talented colleagues who share a commitment to exceptional teaching and learning.

Above all, we are seeking someone who is excited by the opportunity to build. Someone who combines outstanding subject knowledge and high academic expectations with warmth, creativity and a genuine enthusiasm for working with young people. We want a colleague who will enjoy the energy and collaboration of a founding school, who is willing to contribute beyond the classroom, and who recognises the extraordinary privilege of helping to establish an institution with such a distinguished educational heritage.

For the right candidate, this is far more than a teaching appointment. It is an opportunity to establish a subject and to shape a literary and intellectual culture.

We warmly welcome applications from exceptional English teachers who share our educational philosophy and are excited by the opportunity to contribute to the founding of SPGS International School (Singapore).

For more information on the job description, please visit: https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/schrole_32b14b5e-a2cc-4d40-91d9-745be603e910

Safeguarding Statement

SPGS International School (Singapore) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to appropriate safeguarding checks, including satisfactory references and relevant background screening.