Samantha Bower
Donaghadee,Down
Summary
Experienced and enthusiastic teacher with over ten years of experience teaching French, German, Religious Studies, Careers (Years 8–13), and GCSE LLW across a variety of educational settings. Skilled at building positive relationships with pupils, staff, and parents, and experienced in leading school trips and extra-curricular activities, including a girls' football club. Creative in developing engaging departmental resources and committed to professional development, including completing the OLEVI Outstanding Teacher Programme.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Teacher of French, German, RS and LLW
Glenlola Collegiate School
Bangor, Ards and North Down
2025.03 - Current
- Teacher in charge of German. Responsible for examination entries, speaking examination submission, tier entries and resource development.
- Prepared pupils for CCEA GCSE examinations in French, German, Religious Studies and Learning for Life and Work.
- Prepared pupils for, and conducted CCEA GCSE French and German speaking examinations in March 2025 and March 2026.
- Collected, analysed and tracked data on pupil progress, reporting this to parents in parent consultations and written reports.
- Worked within Careers Department to conduct weekly form-time Careers sessions for year 12 and year 11 pupils.
- Form teacher for year 12 class.
Teacher of French
Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College
Bangor, Down
2023.11 - 2024.03
- Prepared and taught lessons to Key Stage 3 French classes.
- Created resources for Department.
- General cover
Teacher of RS and LLW (Maternity Cover)
Glenlola Collegiate School
Bangor, Down
2023.08 - 2023.10
- Prepared pupils for CCEA A-level and GCSE examinations.
- Prepared pupils for CCEA GCSE LLW examinations.
-
Teacher of French and German
Glenlola Collegiate School
Bangor, Down
2022.08 - 2023.06
- Prepared pupils for CCEA GCSE German and French examinations.
- Conducted CCEA GCSE French and German speaking examinations in April 2023.
- Coached U15 football team. Responsible for weekly training sessions and fixtures.
- Collected, analysed and tracked data on student progress. Reported progress in parent consultations and written reports.
-
Second in Modern Foreign Languages Department
Royal Wootton Bassett Academy
Royal Wootton Bassett , Wiltshire
2018.09 - 2022.07
- Prepared pupils for AQA A-level and GCSE German, as well as GCSE French.
- Conducted speaking examinations for AQA A-level and GCSE German, as well as GCSE French.
- Taught Key Stage 3 French, German and Spanish.
- Second in Modern Foreign Languages Department. Responsible for curriculum development, data-analysis, line-management of staff, conducting meetings, mentoring PGCE students and reporting to Senior Management.
- Planned trip to Germany.
- Form-teacher for years 7-9 pupils.
Teacher of French and German (Maternity Cover)
St Laurence School
Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire
2017.09 - 2018.07
- Prepared pupils for AQA GCSE German and French examinations.
- Developed Modern Foreign Languages resources under direction of Head of Department.
- Accompanied pupil ski trip to Italy.
Education
Graduate Diploma - French
University of Dundee
Dundee 2024.09 - 2026.06
Bachelor of Arts - German with Theology
Queen's University Belfast
Belfast 2009.09 - 2013.06
PGCE - Modern Foreign Languages
Bath Spa University
Bath 2014.09 - 2015.06
Skills
- Fluent speaker of German and French with strong grammatical knowledge
- GCSE/A-level curriculum planning and delivery
- Differentiation for SEND and mixed-ability classes
- Effective behaviour management in line with school policy
- Formative and summative assessment for learning
- Confident use of educational technology (eg interactive whiteboards, online platforms)
- Effective communicator
- Team leadership and pupil motivation
Certification
Intermediate Spanish (Level 4) Queen's University Belfast (Autumn 2023)
Irish Football Association: Introduction to Grassroots Football (February 2023)
OLEVI Outstanding Teacher Programme (March- July 2019)
Apple Teacher (June 2022)
Languages
German
Proficient (C2)
French
Proficient (C2)
Spanish
Intermediate (B1)
Additional Experience
- CCEA GCSE French examiner (Summer 2026).
- CCEA GCSE German examiner (Summer 2026).
- Camp Manager and Lead Teacher for International Projects. An English Language summer camp for Romanian and German young people (Summer 2014).
- Course Administrator for Brodie Language Consultants. An English Language Course for a group of teachers from Germany (Autumn 2014 and Summer 2016).
- GCSE German tutor (September 2015- May 2016)
- German Language Assistant with British Council at Gymnasium Barntrup in Nordrhein-Westphalia, Germany. (September 2011- June 2012)
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Teacher of French, German, RS and LLW
Glenlola Collegiate School
2025.03 - Current
Graduate Diploma - French
University of Dundee
2024.09 - 2026.06
Teacher of French
Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College
2023.11 - 2024.03
Teacher of RS and LLW (Maternity Cover)
Glenlola Collegiate School
2023.08 - 2023.10
Teacher of French and German
Glenlola Collegiate School
2022.08 - 2023.06
Second in Modern Foreign Languages Department
Royal Wootton Bassett Academy
2018.09 - 2022.07
Teacher of French and German (Maternity Cover)
St Laurence School
2017.09 - 2018.07
PGCE - Modern Foreign Languages
Bath Spa University
2014.09 - 2015.06
Bachelor of Arts - German with Theology
Queen's University Belfast
2009.09 - 2013.06