The role in a nutshell
We are seeking a highly effective and knowledgeable English Lead to provide strategic leadership for English across both phases of our academy. The successful candidate will have a clear vision for literacy progression, ensuring a coherent, challenging, and inclusive English curriculum that meets the needs of all learners from early reading through to GCSE.
They will demonstrate strong subject expertise in reading, writing, and literacy, model excellent classroom practice, and support colleagues through coaching and professional development. The English Lead will use assessment intelligently to monitor standards, drive improvement, and raise attainment, while promoting a love of literature and language across the school. Strong leadership, collaboration, and the ability to inspire both staff and pupils are essential.
The candidate
- Be an experienced and passionate English specialist with strong subject knowledge in reading, writing, and oracy
- Have a clear vision for high-quality literacy education and progression across all phases
- Demonstrate excellent classroom practice and the ability to model and share this effectively with others
- Be skilled in adapting English teaching to meet the needs of pupils with disrupted education, trauma, SEND and SEMH needs, and significantly low prior attainment
- Show a strong commitment to inclusion, removing barriers to learning so that all pupils can access, engage with, and succeed in English
- Use assessment intelligently to monitor progress, identify gaps, and drive improvement
- Have the confidence and credibility to lead, coach, and inspire colleagues through professional development
- Be a collaborative leader with strong communication, organisation, and relationship‑building skills
- Have a genuine passion for literature, language, and fostering a love of reading across the school community
We welcome applications from everyone who believes they meet the expectations of the role regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith, or disability. To ensure that our staff composition is representative of the communities we serve, applications from groups who are currently under-represented in education including people with disabilities and people from minority ethnic backgrounds are particularly encouraged.