What skills and experience we're looking for Creating opportunities for students to develop a love of the English language lies at the heart of the English Faculty. With a team of ten skilled subject specialists at different stages of their careers, we combine experience, energy and ambition to deliver a rich and intellectually rigorous curriculum. We are passionate about storytelling in all its forms and are relentless in our drive to develop confident,articulate and critically engaged young people. The English Faculty is a high-performing and strategically led department with a clear vision for excellence. We are ambitious for our students and for one another, and we take pride in our strong professional culture. Collaboration is central to our success: staff work closely together to refine curriculum design, share bestpractice and continuously strengthen teaching and learning. The department plays a significant role in whole-school development, particularly in driving literacy across the curriculum, and enjoys a strong voice within the wider leadership of the school. There is both capacity and appetite for continued growth,innovation and sustained impact under the leadership of the successful candidate. We are a well-resourced department, with dedicated specialist teaching rooms andadditional workspace that supports professional collaboration and curriculum development. Students in Years 7–10 receive four one-hour lessons per week, with five in Year 11. Our carefully sequenced five-year curriculum ensures breadth, depth and clear progression across genres, timeperiods and forms. Students encounter Shakespeare in each year group, study novels and poetry from a wide range of eras, explore pre-20th century literature and develop an extensive repertoire of fiction and non-fiction writing. At Key Stage 4, students follow the AQA specifications for GCSE English Language and English Literature. Outcomes are consistently strong, reflecting high expectations, expert teaching and a shared commitment to securing success for every student. Many of our students continue their study of English at sixth-form college and beyond. Enrichment is a cornerstone of our provision and a visible strength of the faculty. We offer a broad extra-curricular programme, including clubs such as Word Wizards, Reading Club and Creative Writing, which foster enthusiasm and stretch our most passionate learners. Theatre visits and live performance experiences form an integral part of our cultural offer, alongside National Theatre Live screenings hosted in school. We promote reading beyond the classroom through initiatives such as The Big Book Quiz, our Reading Programme, and the celebration of World Book Day. Students are given opportunities to publish their writing and to develop their oracy through events including our annual Spelling Bee and Speaker of the Year competitions. These experiences reflect our belief that English extends far beyond examination specifications and plays a transformative role in students’ personal development. The strength of the faculty’s leadership and the progress of students were recognised in our most recent Ofsted inspection. We are a reflective,forward-thinkingand ambitious team, determined to secure thevery bestoutcomes and experiences for every student, and excited by the opportunity for a new Director of English to build on our strong foundations and shape the next phase of our development. LEAD PRACTITIONER: ENGLISH 1. INTRODUCTION MAIN PURPOSE • Under the reasonable direction of the Headteacher, carry out the professional duties of a school teacher as set out in the current School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD). • Implement and deliver an appropriately broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum for students and support a designated curriculum area as appropriate. • Monitor and support the overall progress and development of students as a teacher/ Form Tutor • Facilitate and encourage a learning experience which provides students with the opportunity to achieve their individual potential. • Contribute to raising standards of student attainment. • Share and support the school’s responsibility to provide and monitor opportunities for personal and academic growth. Line Management Reporting to - Head of Department Responsible for - No line manager responsibility Liaising With Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team, teachers and support staff, LA representatives, external agencies and parents. Salary Scale Lead Practitioner Pay Scale (L2) Working Time Full time as specified within the STPCD DBS Disclosure Level Enhanced 2. TEACHING 2.1 Teach, students according to their educational needs, including the setting and marking of work to be carried out by the student in school and elsewhere. 2.2 Assess, record and report on the attendance, progress, development and attainment of students and to keep such records as are required. 2.3 Provide, or contribute to, oral and written assessments, reports and references relating to individual students and groups of students. 2.4 Ensure that ICT, Literacy, Numeracy and school subject specialism(s) are reflected in the teaching/learning experience of students 2.5 Undertake a designated programme of teaching. 2.6 Ensure a high quality learning experience for students which meets internal and external quality standards. 2.7 Prepare and update subject materials. 2.8 Use a variety of delivery methods which will stimulate learning appropriate to student needs and demands of the syllabus. 2.9 Maintain discipline in accordance with the school’s procedures, and to encourage good practice with regard to punctuality, behaviour, standards of work and homework. 2.10 Undertake assessment of students as requested by external examination bodies, departmental and school procedures. 2.11 Mark, grade and give written/verbal and diagnostic feedback as required. 2.12 Some teaching outside the English Department may be required. 3. STRATEGIC/ OPERATIONAL PLANNING 3.1 Assist in the development of appropriate syllabuses, resources, schemes of work, marking policies and teaching strategies in the curriculum area and department. 3.2 Contribute to the curriculum area and department’s development plan and its implementation. 3.3 Plan and prepare courses and lessons. 3.4 Contribute to the whole school’s planning activities. 4. CURRICULUM PROVISION 4.1 Assist the Director of English and the Deputy Head Teaching & Learning, to ensure that the curriculum area provides a range of teaching which complements the school’s strategic objectives. 5. CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT 5.1 Assist in the process of curriculum development and change so as to ensure the continued relevance to the needs of students, examining and awarding bodies and the school’s mission and strategic objectives. 6. STAFFING 6.1 Take part in the school’s staff development programme by participating in arrangements for further training and professional development. 6.2 Continue own professional development in the relevant areas including subject knowledge and teaching methods. 6.3 Engage actively in the performance management review process. 6.4 Ensure the effective/efficient deployment of classroom support 6.5 Work as a member of a designated team and to contribute positively to effective working relations within the school. 7. QUALITY ASSURANCE 7.1 Help to implement school quality procedures and to adhere to those. 7.2 Contribute to the process of monitoring and evaluation of the curriculum area/department in line with agreed school procedures, including evaluation against quality standards and performance criteria. To seek/implement modification and improvement where required. 7.3 Review from time to time methods of teaching and programmes of work. 7.4 Take part, as may be required, in the review, development and management of activities relating to the curriculum, organisation and pastoral functions of the school. 8. MANAGEMENT INFORMATION 8.1 Maintain appropriate records and to provide relevant accurate and up-to-date information for MIS, registers, etc. 8.2 Complete the relevant documentation to assist in the tracking of students. 8.3 Track student progress and use information to inform teaching and learning. 9. COMMUNICATIONS AND LIAISON 9.1 Communicate effectively with the parents of students as appropriate. 9.2 Where appropriate, communicate and co-operate with persons or bodies outside the school. 9.3 Follow agreed policies for communications in the school. 9.4 Take part in liaison activities such as parents’ evenings, review days and liaison events with partner schools. 9.5 Contribute to the development of effective subject links with external agencies. 10. MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES 10.1 Contribute to the process of the ordering and allocation of equipment and materials. 10.2 Assist the Director of English to identify resource needs and to contribute to the efficient/effective use of physical resources. 10.3 Co-operate with other staff to ensure a sharing and effective usage of resources to the benefit of the school, department and the students. 11. PASTORAL SYSTEM 11.1 Be a Form Tutor to an assigned group of students. 11.2 Promote the general progress and well-being of individual students and of the Form Tutor Group as a whole. 11.3 Liaise with Pastoral Leaders to ensure the implementation of the school’s pastoral system 11.4 Register students, accompany them to assemblies, encourage their full attendance at all lessons and their participation in other aspects of school life. 11.5 Evaluate and monitor the progress of students and keep up-to-date student records as may be required. 11.6 Contribute to the preparation of action plans and progress files and other reports. 11.7 Alert the appropriate staff to problems experienced by students and to make recommendations as to how these may be resolved. 11.8 Communicate as appropriate, with the parents of students and with persons or bodies outside the school concerned with the welfare of individual students, after consultation with the appropriate staff. 11.9 Contribute to PSHE, Citizenship and Enterprise according to school policy 11.10 Apply the behaviour management systems so that effective learning can take place. 12. SCHOOL ETHOS 12.1 Play a full part in the life of the school community, supporting its distinctive mission and ethos and encouraging staff and students to follow this example. 12.2 Support the school in meeting its legal requirements for worship. 12.3 Promote actively the school’s corporate policies. 12.4 Comply with the school’s health and safety policy and undertake risk assessments as appropriate. Creating opportunities for students to develop a love of the English language lies at the heart of the English Faculty. With a team of ten skilled subject specialists atdifferent stagesof their careers, we combine experience,energyand ambition to deliver a rich and intellectually rigorous curriculum. We are passionate about storytelling in all its forms and are relentless in our drive to develop confident,articulateand critically engaged young people. The English Faculty is a high-performing and strategically led department witha clear visionfor excellence. We are ambitious for our students and for one another, and we take pride in our strong professional culture. Collaboration is central to our success: staff work closely together to refine curriculum design, share bestpracticeand continuously strengthen teaching and learning. The department plays a significant role in whole-school development, particularly in driving literacy across the curriculum, and enjoys a strong voice within the wider leadership of the school. There is both capacity and appetite for continued growth,innovationand sustained impact under the leadership of the successful candidate. We are a well-resourced department, with dedicated specialist teaching rooms andadditionalworkspace that supports professional collaboration and curriculum development. Students in Years 7–10 receive four one-hour lessons per week, with five in Year 11. Our carefully sequenced five-year curriculum ensures breadth, depth and clearprogression across genres, timeperiodsand forms. StudentsencounterShakespeare in each year group, study novels and poetry from a wide range of eras, explore pre-20th century literature and develop an extensive repertoire of fiction and non-fiction writing. At Key Stage 4, students follow the AQA specifications for GCSE English Language and English Literature. Outcomes are consistently strong, reflectinghigh expectations, expertteachingand a shared commitment to securing success for every student. Many of our students continue their study of English at sixth-form college and beyond. Enrichment is a cornerstone of our provision and a visible strength of the faculty. We offer a broad extra-curricular programme, including clubs such as Word Wizards, Reading Club and Creative Writing, which foster enthusiasm and stretch our most passionate learners. Theatre visits and live performance experiences form an integral part of our cultural offer, alongside National Theatre Live screenings hosted in school. We promote reading beyond the classroom through initiatives such as The Big Book Quiz, our Reading Programme, and the celebration of World Book Day. Students are given opportunities to publish their writing and to develop their oracy through events including our annual Spelling Bee and Speaker of the Year competitions. These experiences reflect our belief that English extends far beyond examination specifications and plays a transformative role in students’ personal development. The strength of the faculty’s leadership and the progress of students were recognised in our most recent Ofsted inspection. We are a reflective,forward-thinkingand ambitious team, determined to secure thevery bestoutcomes and experiences for every student, and excited by the opportunity for a new Director of English to build on our strong foundations and shape the next phase of our development. LEAD PRACTITIONER: ENGLISH 1. INTRODUCTION MAIN PURPOSE • Under the reasonable direction of the Headteacher, carry out the professional duties of a school teacher as set out in the current School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD). • Implement and deliver an appropriately broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum for students and support a designated curriculum area as appropriate. • Monitor and support the overall progress and development of students as a teacher/ Form Tutor • Facilitate and encourage a learning experience which provides students with the opportunity to achieve their individual potential. • Contribute to raising standards of student attainment. • Share and support the school’s responsibility to provide and monitor opportunities for personal and academic growth. Line Management Reporting to - Head of Department Responsible for - No line manager responsibility Liaising With Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team, teachers and support staff, LA representatives, external agencies and parents. Salary Scale Lead Practitioner Pay Scale (L2) Working Time Full time as specified within the STPCD DBS Disclosure Level Enhanced 2. TEACHING 2.1 Teach, students according to their educational needs, including the setting and marking of work to be carried out by the student in school and elsewhere. 2.2 Assess, record and report on the attendance, progress, development and attainment of students and to keep such records as are required. 2.3 Provide, or contribute to, oral and written assessments, reports and references relating to individual students and groups of students. 2.4 Ensure that ICT, Literacy, Numeracy and school subject specialism(s) are reflected in the teaching/learning experience of students 2.5 Undertake a designated programme of teaching. 2.6 Ensure a high quality learning experience for students which meets internal and external quality standards. 2.7 Prepare and update subject materials. 2.8 Use a variety of delivery methods which will stimulate learning appropriate to student needs and demands of the syllabus. 2.9 Maintain discipline in accordance with the school’s procedures, and to encourage good practice with regard to punctuality, behaviour, standards of work and homework. 2.10 Undertake assessment of students as requested by external examination bodies, departmental and school procedures. 2.11 Mark, grade and give written/verbal and diagnostic feedback as required. 2.12 Some teaching outside the English Department may be required. 3. STRATEGIC/ OPERATIONAL PLANNING 3.1 Assist in the development of appropriate syllabuses, resources, schemes of work, marking policies and teaching strategies in the curriculum area and department. 3.2 Contribute to the curriculum area and department’s development plan and its implementation. 3.3 Plan and prepare courses and lessons. 3.4 Contribute to the whole school’s planning activities. 4. CURRICULUM PROVISION 4.1 Assist the Director of English and the Deputy Head Teaching & Learning, to ensure that the curriculum area provides a range of teaching which complements the school’s strategic objectives. 5. CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT 5.1 Assist in the process of curriculum development and change so as to ensure the continued relevance to the needs of students, examining and awarding bodies and the school’s mission and strategic objectives. 6. STAFFING 6.1 Take part in the school’s staff development programme by participating in arrangements for further training and professional development. 6.2 Continue own professional development in the relevant areas including subject knowledge and teaching methods. 6.3 Engage actively in the performance management review process. 6.4 Ensure the effective/efficient deployment of classroom support 6.5 Work as a member of a designated team and to contribute positively to effective working relations within the school. 7. QUALITY ASSURANCE 7.1 Help to implement school quality procedures and to adhere to those. 7.2 Contribute to the process of monitoring and evaluation of the curriculum area/department in line with agreed school procedures, including evaluation against quality standards and performance criteria. To seek/implement modification and improvement where required. 7.3 Review from time to time methods of teaching and programmes of work. 7.4 Take part, as may be required, in the review, development and management of activities relating to the curriculum, organisation and pastoral functions of the school. 8. MANAGEMENT INFORMATION 8.1 Maintain appropriate records and to provide relevant accurate and up-to-date information for MIS, registers, etc. 8.2 Complete the relevant documentation to assist in the tracking of students. 8.3 Track student progress and use information to inform teaching and learning. 9. COMMUNICATIONS AND LIAISON 9.1 Communicate effectively with the parents of students as appropriate. 9.2 Where appropriate, communicate and co-operate with persons or bodies outside the school. 9.3 Follow agreed policies for communications in the school. 9.4 Take part in liaison activities such as parents’ evenings, review days and liaison events with partner schools. 9.5 Contribute to the development of effective subject links with external agencies. 10. MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES 10.1 Contribute to the process of the ordering and allocation of equipment and materials. 10.2 Assist the Director of English to identify resource needs and to contribute to the efficient/effective use of physical resources. 10.3 Co-operate with other staff to ensure a sharing and effective usage of resources to the benefit of the school, department and the students. 11. PASTORAL SYSTEM 11.1 Be a Form Tutor to an assigned group of students. 11.2 Promote the general progress and well-being of individual students and of the Form Tutor Group as a whole. 11.3 Liaise with Pastoral Leaders to ensure the implementation of the school’s pastoral system 11.4 Register students, accompany them to assemblies, encourage their full attendance at all lessons and their participation in other aspects of school life. 11.5 Evaluate and monitor the progress of students and keep up-to-date student records as may be required. 11.6 Contribute to the preparation of action plans and progress files and other reports. 11.7 Alert the appropriate staff to problems experienced by students and to make recommendations as to how these may be resolved. 11.8 Communicate as appropriate, with the parents of students and with persons or bodies outside the school concerned with the welfare of individual students, after consultation with the appropriate staff. 11.9 Contribute to PSHE, Citizenship and Enterprise according to school policy 11.10 Apply the behaviour management systems so that effective learning can take place. 12. SCHOOL ETHOS 12.1 Play a full part in the life of the school community, supporting its distinctive mission and ethos and encouraging staff and students to follow this example. 12.2 Support the school in meeting its legal requirements for worship. 12.3 Promote actively the school’s corporate policies. 12.4 Comply with the school’s health and safety policy and undertake risk assessments as appropriate. What the school offers its staff WHY WORK AT BYRCHALL HIGH SCHOOL? Working at Byrchall High School offers several compelling benefits and opportunities: Modern Facilities New Building: The school recently moved into a brand new, state-of-the-art building, providing a modern and well-equipped environment for both teaching and learning. Supportive Community Collaborative Environment: Byrchall High School fosters a supportive and collaborative atmosphere among staff, encouraging professional growth and teamwork. Professional Development: The school is committed to the continuous professional development of its staff, offering various training and career advancement opportunities. Student-Centred Approach High Standards: The school emphasises high standards of attainment and behaviour, creating a positive and focused learning environment. Diverse Curriculum: Alongside core subjects, the school offers a wide range of courses, including Music, Drama, Food, Business, Graphics, Art, Product Design, Spanish, French, and Engineering Extracurricular Opportunities Rich Extracurricular Program: Staff have the chance to engage with students beyond the classroom through various clubs, sports, and activities, fostering a well-rounded educational experience Community Engagement Local Impact: Being part of the Wigan community, the school actively engages with local organisations and initiatives, providing staff with opportunities to make a meaningful impact in the community Commitment to safeguarding Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.