Salary: Qualified Teachers Pay Scales: Main Pay Scale (MPS) to Upper Pay Scale (UPS) and TLR2 of £5,200 per annum
Start Date: September 2025
Thetford Academy is seeking an inspiring, innovative and dedicated Head of RE; a leader who shares our belief that all pupils have the right to succeed and have access to the very best education.
The successful candidate must have a commitment to changing lives and outcomes for young people. You should come with an existing track record of effectiveness but be keen to develop further as a member of the wider leadership team.
This key role will give you the opportunity to work with senior leaders and the subject team on curriculum development and play an important part in creating a department that aims to set the standard nationally. You will have a willingness to work with the wider Inspiration Trust team to deliver an exceptional knowledge rich curriculum.
Before applying, please read the attached Recruitment Pack and Job Description, for more details about the role. We ask that you read this pack carefully, especially the “Planning your application” section from page 11. This will support your application ensuring you have the opportunity to tell us about your relevant skills, experience and qualifications that relate to the job description and person specification in addition to details of your references covering the last 5 years.
The main responsibility of this role will be:
1. To be a role model to the department
2. To lead on the development of new ways of thinking about the curriculum and teaching and learning to develop student expertise in the subject
3. To lead the key subject areas in understanding and developing high quality and innovative provision within a world-class curriculum and excellent teaching
The ideal candidate will have:
4. Degree or Equivalent and Qualified Teacher Status
5. Successful subject experience as a teacher and manager in education in a secondary school
6. Successful involvement in performance management, self-evaluation process and data analysis as an aid in personal and team improvement, development and change
7. Proven practice in leading, motivating and supporting staff to achieve high standards
8. Knowledge of the statutory requirements concerning Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety, SEND and Child Protection
Thetford Academy is a remarkable place to work and is at the academic and cultural heart of the community. Pupils are taught a curriculum to prepare them for challenges they may face whilst building an appreciation and understanding of the world and achieve this by teaching pupils to develop a set of values and habits to allow them to contribute to their community, and beyond.
The school’s vision is that every pupil can succeed, both in their academic results and as an outgoing and positive member of the local, national, and global communities. Thetford Academy achieves this by ensuring that everyone commits to achieving outstanding progress, enjoying, and engaging in their learning, and being prepared to take on challenge without the fear of failure.
We are part of the Inspiration Trust, twice ranked as the country’s top family of comprehensive schools for pupil progress, and strongly believe in the importance of giving the widest educational opportunities to all young people, regardless of their background. We have strong networks across the Trust, with opportunities to work with a diverse range of schools and partners. We are committed to offering excellent professional and learning opportunities for our staff, with a busy programme of continuing professional development courses delivered by some of the country’s best educational thinkers and practitioners.
The Inspiration Trust is a Multi Academy Trust, committed to delivering the very best educational experience for the young people of Norfolk and Suffolk, across 17 schools. We are ambitious for our schools and communities and want to create Britain’s highest performing federation of 3-19 schools and transform education in the East. Inspiration Trust specialises in transforming schools in disadvantaged areas and taking academies from failing to outstanding.
For information on what it is like to live and work in Thetford, click here. Thetford Academy has been rated as Good overall by Ofsted, after an inspection in March 2020. The report says that the school has 'a curriculum that ensures pupils deepen their thinking' and that pupils 'feel valued and cared for.'
When you join Inspiration Trust's thriving network of talented teachers, leaders and support staff, you join an organisation that supports you to be the best you can be. The Trust offers a varied professional development programme for employees.
We are committed to offering excellent professional opportunities for our staff, through careful support and personalised CPD. We offer a structured and specific induction programme.
The Trust also offers:
9. Generous holiday entitlement
10. Teachers' Pension Schemes with generous employer contributions
11. Health Plan and Employee Assistance Programme giving access to a range of services including claim back costs for Eye Care and prescriptions and access to 24/7 virtual GP Service and mental health support (Terms and conditions and restrictions apply).
12. Cycle-to-work scheme
13. Retail Benefits offering discounts with many shops and suppliers
14. Corporate membership of the Norwich Theatre Royal
15. Salary sacrifice schemes, including home technology, smartphones and healthcare plans, including Dental insurance and Gym membership discounts (Terms and conditions and restrictions apply).
16. Free Parking (on most sites)
*Some benefits are only available following successfully passing probation
If you would like to know more about this exciting opportunity, then please contact Ilona Haye, PA to Principal apply for this role please click the Apply button to complete the online application form.
Closing date for applications: 12pm on Wednesday 14th May 2025
Interview date: Thursday 22nd May 2025
Inspiration Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
All staff appointments are subject to satisfactory references and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks. We are an equal opportunities employer.