Key Role Information

Salary
£32,916 - £51,047
Job type
Full Time
Contract type
Permanent
Closing
11/05/2026 09:00
Interview
To Be Confirmed
Contract term
AYR - All year round
Pay grade
MPS/UPS
Department
English
Key stage
Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4
Hours per week
32.50
Weeks per year
52.143
Visa sponsorship
No

Your Role

Principal: Ms J Schofield | Required: September 2026 | Fast Track Lead Practitioner for English | MPS/UPS, Actual Salary £32,916 - £51,047 with a TLR3C payment of £3,477



The Discovery Academy is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic Fast Track Lead Practitioner for English to join our strong team of highly motivated professionals who work collaboratively to raise standards and expectations at all levels throughout Key Stages 3 and 4. This role is for teachers who are just completing their ECT period, show exceptional performance and want a fast track into leadership through our Fast Track programme.


At the heart of everything we do is an unremitting desire for our students to become successful and responsible young people who make a positive contribution to our academy and the wider community. To do this, we need the very best people, who we will support to be outstanding practitioners. Do you want to be a part of this success? If you do, we would love to receive your application.


The ability to converse at ease with members of the public, including staff and students in accurate spoken English is essential for the post, therefore postholders must be able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English.

 

Our Purpose

At the Discovery Academy our purpose is that we are committed to "delivering ambitious, high-quality teaching and learning every lesson, every day that allows every student to achieve success". As an Academy we have created a culture around our core values of Pride, Respect and Commitment to ensure high expectations, positive relationships, and support for all students. We believe having high expectations of behaviour and attitudes enables teachers to teach and students to develop in a caring, supportive environment.

 

Why Discovery?

The Discovery Academy is one of the largest Academies in Stoke-on-Trent. It boasts a £21 million building with world class facilities, including extensive sport and recreation areas. The building design has a faculty-based organisation in which subject areas are co-located to foster collaboration and project-based learning opportunities. There are an extensive range of vocational and academic facilities across the Academy.

 

The Academy is part of the Alpha Academies Trust which is located in Stoke-on-Trent and consists of two Secondary Academies, four Primary Academies and a Central Team. Alpha Academies Trust has been established to create a network of Primary and Secondary Academies in North Staffordshire. Our purpose is to deliver a first-class education for every child that overcomes inequality. This means that we recruit outstanding staff and make their professional development a number one priority.

 

The Benefits of Working for Our Trust

The Trust offers a benefits package which includes a local government pension scheme, membership of the Teachers' Pension Scheme, discounted gym membership for on-site gyms and a 25% discount at Nuffield Health Stoke Fitness & Wellbeing Gym, free on-site parking, subsidised meals and a Cyclescheme. We also offer an Employee Assistance Programme through Life and Progress including counselling services to ensure that our staff are looked after and supported.

 

Alpha Academies are committed to staff development and all staff are encouraged to be members of the Chartered College of Teaching. This is financed by the Trust and colleagues are encouraged to access their resources and embark upon their qualifications.

 

We’re Disability Confident!

Alpha Academies Trust is a Disability Confident Employer which means that it has made commitments to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities. Should you require any reasonable adjustments during any point of the application process, please contact our Trust HR Team at recruitment@alphaacademiestrust.co.uk to discuss.

 

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

The Alpha Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all its employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced check by the Disclosure and Barring Service, as well as an online social media check along with other stringent vetting and induction processes.

 

How to Apply

We want people who are prepared to make a difference to a child’s life and inspire others.

 

We want a community that thrives on Ambition, Respect and Belonging.

 

If you have these qualities and want to be part of our team, please come and join us. To apply, simply click on the 'Apply Now' button located at the top of this page, directing you to the Alpha Academies Trust vacancy portal.

 

If you're already registered, please log in to submit your application. New users can register using the sign-up option and proceed to submit their application. Should you need any further information regarding your application please contact our Trust HR Team by email at recruitment@alphaacademiestrust.co.uk

 

Visits to our Academy are warmly welcomed, please contact the Academy to arrange a mutually convenient appointment. 

 

 

Closing Date for this Post: Monday 11th May 2026 at 9:00am

Interview Date: To be confirmed.

Qualifications

Degree or equivalentessential
Qualified Teacher Statusessential
Recent and relevant personal and professional developmentessential
Completion of Early Career Teacher Training essential

Skills

Abilities, Skills and Knowledge

Improve the effectiveness of teaching & learning within the faculty such that all learners achieve or exceed their full potential.essential
Ability to command respect from students, staff, parents and be a positive presence in the Academyessential
Ability to manage change; support, and increasingly lead innovations and meet challenges successfully.essential
Good Interpersonal and communication skillsessential
Ability to articulate passion for teaching and learningessential
Ensure that excellent and innovative practices become widespread across the department and increasingly across the Academy essential
Ability to support and lead on quality staff development leading to personal and professional progression. essential
Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to promote effective practices. essential
Improve assessment practices such that you improve the quality of teaching within your area(s) of responsibility. essential
Ability to assist in the development of effective policies and practices in the pursuit of excellence in educational standards and quality. essential
Strong negotiating and influencing skills. essential

Experience/Knowledge

Strong evidence of strong teaching and taking on CPD strategies given by Academy or other meansessential
Recent and relevant personal and professional development and evidence of independent research that can be evidenced in own teaching practice and maybe shared in department or beyondessential
Accurate assessment and evaluation of own teaching practice of attainment, progress and areas for development that secure improvements. essential
Experience in developing effective working relationships in a department and across an Academyessential
The ability to understand, analyse and make effective use of a wide range of data.essential
Openness to challenge, risk-taking and creative ideasessential
A well-developed philosophy of high aspirations and expectations for every student to receive a good education and achieve high standards. essential
Experience of developing individualised learning in students and staff using the full range of resources to support it. essential
Demonstrate an impact on learning which impacts positively on student performance. essential
Demonstrate a positive impact on teaching, learning and standards. essential
A track record as an effective and efficient subject teacher of students of all abilities.essential

Personal Attributes

An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English.essential
Awareness and sensitivity with regard to equal opportunities and race equality.essential
A willingness to undertake appropriate training.essential
A team player.essential
Resilient when working under pressure.essential
Pragmatic and proactive.essential
Dynamic and positive.essential

Qualifications

Degree or equivalent qualification. essential

About Us

Discovery Academy

Recruitment

recruitment@alphaacademiestrust.co.uk

Discovery Drive
Bentilee
Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire
ST2 0GA

Safeguarding Information

The Alpha Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all its employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced check by the Disclosure and Barring Service, as well as an online social media check along with other stringent vetting and induction processes. Please note, references will be sought for all shortlisted candidates prior to the interview.


Please note, in order to comply with Safer Recruitment guidelines, we are unable to accept CV’s. You must include all details within your profile and personal statement.