Job overview

Join Downe House Muscat as a Teacher of MFL for August 2026 and help shape a vibrant, inspiring learning environment for young minds!

About Cognita:
Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 100+ schools in 16 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 85,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, ‘Thrive in a rapidly evolving world’.

At Cognita, we know every student is unique. We nurture their distinct personalities and strengths. We support them academically, socially, and emotionally, wherever they are in the world, wherever they’re starting from. We protect what’s special about them, while offering them rich knowledge, opportunities, and best practices. And they get to be part of something bigger; ensuring they get an education that’s, quite literally, world class.

About Downe House Muscat: A Premium British International School with Omani Heart:

Downe House Muscat proudly stands as the world’s first authentic international girls’ school established in partnership with a leading all-girls’ school from England. Drawing on over 117 years of world-class British education from Downe House in the UK, we bring a premium British education tailored to the international context of Oman.

We operate as a co-educational school from KG1 to Grade 4, transitioning to an all-girls environment from Grade 5 to Grade 12, ensuring a strong, focused girls’ education in the upper years.

Our mission is to inspire and challenge every student, nurturing confident young women who are ready to make their mark on the world.

What We Offer

• A first-class British education leading to IGCSE, A Level and Omani GED examinations.
• Academic excellence in education, empowering each student to achieve their personal best.
• Outstanding pastoral care supporting personal growth, well-being and character development.
• Broad co-curricular opportunities that enrich learning and foster creativity, leadership and independence.

Everything at Downe House Muscat is designed to encourage intellectual curiosity, nurture individual talents and foster a culture of inclusivity and respect. With a personalised approach, including individualised tutoring and a comprehensive pastoral system, we ensure every student thrives from the moment they join our school.

Our Campus and Facilities

Located in the Al Bandar Masterplan, near Muscat International Airport and key residential areas, our state-of-the-art campus offers exceptional learning facilities, including:

• A STEM Centre and IT labs
• Art and Design studios
• A 400-seat theatre, plus music and drama classrooms
• Dedicated libraries and a central atrium

At Downe House Muscat, we strive to deliver an education that goes beyond academics, fostering intellectual appetite, creativity, confidence and a global mindset. We invite you to join us on this exceptional journey of growth, learning and empowerment.

Role Overview:
Downe House Muscat is seeking to appoint an outstanding Teacher of MFL to join our thriving Language Department. The Teacher of MFL should demonstrate a strong commitment to the academic, personal and social development of students, and communicate effectively with parents, staff and students. The successful candidate will ensure all students make excellent progress and experience MFL as enjoyable, inspiring and appropriately challenging. Any language specialism is considered.

We currently teach Spanish only, though there is considerable interest in French. The teacher will contribute meaningfully to the department’s development, helping shape a forward-looking, innovative programme and supporting the establishment of a vibrant, MFL department from the ground up.

As Downe House Muscat expands its creative curriculum, experience in a range of artistic styles is required and the post holder must be flexible and confident teaching across a range of specialisms.

The role includes teaching IGCSE, A Level, and the Omani GED. No previous experience of the GED is required, as full training will be provided.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed professional who is an excellent communicator and who builds positive, collaborative relationships with students, colleagues, and parents.

Key Responsibilities

School Values and Ethos

• Actively promote the school’s vision through enthusiastic participation in all areas of school life.
• Set consistently high expectations that inspire and motivate students and colleagues.
• Adhere to all school rules, policies, and procedures.
• To ensure that you model the speaking of English when in the presence of pupils and in public areas of the school.
• Contribute to the school’s co-curricular and extra-curricular programmes.

Teaching and Learning

• Teach a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum in line with the robust standards expected at Downe House and aligned with the Downe House Method, contributing to the creation of new schemes of work and resources for a developing department. 
• Plan and deliver engaging, creative lessons that meet the needs of all students, including those with EAL, through effective differentiation, targeted support and strong subject knowledge.
• Contribute positively to the wider school community while maintaining high professional standards.

Professional Standards

• Attend assemblies, meetings, parents’ evenings, and school events.
• Act as an exemplary role model for all students.
• Maintain high standards of professionalism, including punctuality and presentation.
• Reflect on practice to support continuous professional development.
• Build and sustain positive working relationships with colleagues.

Safeguarding

• Comply fully with all safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate a strong personal commitment to student welfare and wellbeing.
• Engage in all safeguarding training as required.

Person Specification

(Essential= E, Desirable=D)

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant subject from a good university.(E)
• Post Graduate Certificate of Education (or equivalent).(E)
• Qualified Teacher Status (E)
• Evidence of further postgraduate study (D)

Skills & Experience

• Minimum of three years’ relevant teaching experience (E)
• Knowledge of the Cambridge Lower Secondary International Curriculum as relevant to your subject. (D)
• Experience teaching IGCSE and/or International A Levels
• Experience working in a UK independent or international school environment (D)
• Experience teaching students with English as an Additional Language (D)

Personal Qualities

• Ability to stretch the most able while supporting all learners (E)
• Passion for inspiring a love of learning (E)
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills (E)
• Confident use of ICT to enhance learning (E)
• Energetic, positive, and solution-focused, with a good sense of humour (E)
• Willingness to contribute beyond the classroom (E)

Our Offer:

The successful candidate will benefit from accommodation allowance, private medical cover, flight allowances, end of service gratuity and an attractive tax-free salary. In addition, there will be a significant commitment to supporting the development and career goals of the successful candidates.

Interviews will take place online/ in person.

The school reserves the right to interview and appoint strong candidates before the official closing date, and therefore we would encourage candidates to apply early in the process.

Thank you for your interest in Downe House Muscat. Due to the large number of applications expected, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Downe House Muscat and Cognita are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expect the same from its employees. All new staff will be subject to detailed and enhanced pre-employment clearance, including identity checks, criminal background checks for all countries lived in, qualification checks, employment checks to include an exploration of any gaps in employment, and satisfactory reference checks for all employment in the last 10 years.