English Lead Practitioner - Colchester, Essex

Are you a collaborative and ambitious professional who thrives in a supportive, values-driven community? Are you passionate about ensuring that every young person is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to fulfil their full potential?

We are proud to offer an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking secondary academy that is deeply committed to providing an ordered, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating learning environment. Our ethos is rooted in respect, aspiration, and high expectations for all, and we believe that exceptional teaching is the most powerful driver of student success.

As part of a strategic investment in teaching and learning, we are delighted to announce the creation of a new Lead Practitioner: English role. This position represents a significant opportunity for an experienced and highly effective English specialist to play a central role in shaping pedagogy, developing staff expertise, and raising standards across the faculty and the wider school.

The successful candidate will join the school's wider Teaching and Learning leadership team, working closely with senior leaders to ensure that research-informed, high-impact classroom practice is embedded consistently. Through this work, the postholder will directly influence both student outcomes and the professional growth of colleagues.

This post is offered on a full-time basis (100% FTE), though part-time working may be considered for the right candidate.

The Role

As a Lead Practitioner, you will combine a reduced teaching timetable with a set of strategic leadership responsibilities focused on improving the quality of teaching and learning. This is a role for an expert classroom practitioner who remains passionate about teaching, while also possessing the credibility, vision, and interpersonal skills required to lead others effectively.

Key areas of responsibility include:

Pedagogical Leadership

• Modelling consistently outstanding, evidence-informed classroom practice.

• Supporting the design, implementation, and refinement of high-quality schemes of learning that align with the academy's curriculum intent and assessment principles.

• Championing inclusive teaching strategies that support all learners, including disadvantaged students and those with additional needs.

Research and Evidence-Informed Practice

• Engaging critically with current educational research and external evidence to inform faculty policy and practice.

• Leading developments in key areas such as curriculum sequencing, assessment for learning, literacy, and the purposeful use of technology.

• Supporting colleagues to translate research into practical, impactful classroom strategies.

Quality Assurance and School Improvement

• Working in close partnership with the Senior Leadership Team to monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching and learning.

• Contributing to structured lesson observations, work scrutiny, learning walks, and data analysis.

• Using evidence gathered to inform targeted professional development and continuous improvement planning.

What We're Looking For

We are seeking a committed and highly skilled professional who combines exceptional subject and classroom expertise with the strategic mindset required to drive faculty-wide improvement.

The successful candidate will:

• Hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

• Have a proven track record of securing strong GCSE outcomes in English.

• Be an outstanding practitioner currently working in a secondary school setting.

Professional Expertise and Leadership

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to lead, influence, and quality assure systems that secure the very best outcomes for students and staff alike. In particular, we are looking for evidence of:

Strategic Use of Data

• Confident use of national, local, and internal data to identify priorities, evaluate impact, and raise student achievement.

• The ability to support colleagues in understanding and using data effectively to inform teaching and intervention.

Staff Development and Coaching

• Significant experience of coaching, mentoring, and supporting colleagues to refine and develop their professional practice.

• A strong commitment to high-quality professional learning and a track record of contributing to whole-school or faculty CPD.

Change Management and Collaboration

• The ability to form, motivate, and lead high-performing teams.

• Experience of managing change sensitively and effectively, maintaining high expectations while fostering trust and inclusivity.

• A commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of leadership and practice.

Operational Excellence

• Strong organisational and planning skills, with the ability to prioritise, delegate, and manage time and resources effectively.

• A professional, reflective approach and a commitment to continuous improvement.

For full details of the role and responsibilities, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.

Why Choose Our Trust?

We believe that investing in our people is essential to improving outcomes for young people. We are committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, professional trust, and ambition, where staff are supported to grow and succeed.

Professional Development

• A robust and high-quality CPD programme designed to support career progression at every stage.

• Extensive opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across the Trust, sharing best practice and building strong professional networks.

Employee Benefits

• A competitive salary and access to an excellent pension scheme.

• A Health Cash Plan and Employee Assistance Programme to support your well-being.

• Access to a range of benefits including a Cycle to Work scheme, discounted gym memberships, cinema tickets, and eligibility for a Blue Light Card.