Head of English

Lodge Park Academy is looking for a Head of English (with additional whole school role for the right candidate.)

Do you want to be part of a team who are committed to working together to deliver opportunities for all no matter what background? Do you want to work at a school that has ‘high expectations of what pupils can achieve’ and school where pupils are, ‘polite and respectful and try hard in lessons.’

Ofsted November 2023

About the role

You will provide strong and purposeful leadership for the English department, demonstrating the highest ambitions for learning and rigorously instilling high expectations across the department. You will be expected to support and challenge staff to raise the standards of learning and the achievement of all students. This may be your first leadership role, or you may have already been a second in the English department or a Keystage lead for example. We will provide full training. What is essential  is that you are an excellent teacher who has the energy, drive and passion to change the lives of young people.

About us

We have a strong sense of purpose and are fervently committed to the achievement of every individual. We aim to provide a high-quality education in a safe, happy, caring and focused environment. We encourage all students to embody our values of ambition and aspiration, courage and resilience and gratitude and respect.  We are intent on developing a love of learning amongst our students, offering them a broad and balanced curriculum, enhanced by a range of enrichment activities designed to support their personal growth. We encourage all students to take responsibility for their own learning.

We are ambitious for every child, no matter what their background, prior attainment or needs. We are very proud of our community and believe we offer something exciting for those who join us. We have the privilege of working in a stimulating and dynamic school that engenders a culture that genuinely cherishes individuality, aims to instil creativity and independence. Underpinned by our values, we are student focused and we believe that there are no limits for outstanding learning and outstanding achievement.  We have high expectations of our students and staff, high aspirations for them and demonstrate complete belief in them all.

The town of Corby in situated in the north of the county and is close to the market towns of Stamford, Uppingham, Oakham and Market Harborough.  There are good transport links to the southeast and the city of Leicester is only a 35 minute drive.

We require, for a September 2024 start, an enthusiastic and highly committed person who will be an excellent teacher and leader of English.

Who we are looking for:   A leader who …

• Has the capacity to generate energy and enthusiasm for learning
• Will be able to raise achievement through motivating, challenging and inspiring our students;
• Will be be a reflective and resilient practitioner
• Will have a commitment to inclusion;
• Will develop an effective team;
• Will help foster a culture of high expectations and achievement within the department;
• Will have a commitment to the school’s ethos and vision
• Will be able to establish strong relationships with students and staff
• Will model professional standards across all areas of work.

Our schools work as a team and achieve great things through these partnerships. Our subject specialists, our trust-wide intranet, a common curriculum and our online learning resources all help us share knowledge and expertise simplifying work processes allowing staff to focus on high quality teaching.

We value our staff highly, and take work/life balance seriously; we realise a happy staff is an effective staff. The leadership of the Academy is determined to create an environment where teachers can carry out their core role of delivering excellent lessons.  We have a clear and simple behaviour policy that is easy to administer.  If action is needed beyond the basic classroom routines the pastoral and senior teams take the burden away from the teachers, conducting detentions, following up and dealing with parents on your behalf.

In addition to this, teachers are trusted to be professionals and as such we have:

• No unannounced observations
• No lesson grading
• Meeting and INSET day time for joint team planning

Continuing Professional Development and Support

We aim to bring out the best in you as well as in our students and we understand the importance of quality CPD. Lodge Park offers a range of development opportunities, with both internal and external providers for staff at different stages in their career.  We are responsive to staff needs supporting them with training and development so that they can deliver excellent teaching.

Being part of the David Ross Education Trust enables us to collaborate with a range of staff from across the trust both Primary and Secondary as well as accessing CPD from HMIs and Ofsted trained staff.  We are always keen in developing all our staff in which ever career direction they wish to go.

Ours is a warm and compassionate community where students explore their creativity and discover their passions working alongside staff who are committed to enriching the lives of their students. We really believe that we are starting to do something really special for our students.

Salary & Benefits

• L6-10 £53,380- £58,958 FTE per annum
• Access to Local Government Pension Scheme
• Regional networks of Trust colleagues and access to key leaders in Education
• Commitment to employee Health and Wellbeing including dedicated Employee Assistance Programme
• Awards and Recognition Scheme
• Flexible working patterns
• Benefits Platform
  • discounts on car leasing
  • holiday discounts
  • cinema tickets
  • restaurant booking discounts
  • Cycle to Work Scheme

About The David Ross Education Trust

The David Ross Education Trust (DRET) mission is to give every child attending one of our schools a world-class education.

Broadening the horizons of young people by inspiring students to become their confident, academic best via an education that creates academically gifted, confident, well-rounded young people in the classroom, in the workplace and in their communities.

Whatever your role you will contribute towards creating a rich and exciting learning environment that also offers our students an unrivalled package of sporting and cultural enrichment.

Our aim is to be the country’s top-performing Multi-Academy Trust (MAT).  Recognised as a nationwide system leader, the Trust runs 34 schools between London and Yorkshire, ranging from small rural primaries to much larger secondary schools in urban areas. We have an all through school in London based on the Olympic Park as well as a special school in Lincolnshire which caters for pupils aged 2-19 who have a diverse range of special educational needs.

We are incredibly lucky to be able to work alongside outstanding organisations and individuals who are happy to share their expertise and skills in supporting the David Ross Foundation’s vision to give children better life chances through access to the best education and support we can give them.

Apply now

To complete our on-line application form, please click ‘here’

Early applications are advised.  We receive high numbers of applications for our roles and therefore have to close the vacancy prior to the closing date in order to review candidates’ details against our job criteria before shortlisting or re-opening the vacancy.

The David Ross Education Trust is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.

It is our objective to ensure that job applicants and staff are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential. We do not discriminate against any applicants on the basis of any protected characteristics.

The David Ross Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo vetting appropriate to the post, including a social media presence check and Enhanced DBS check. The successful applicant will be expected to adhere to all safeguarding, welfare and health and safety policies and procedures of the Trust.