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Head of English - Orchards Academy
Are you an outstanding English teacher ready to take the next step in your career? Do you want to lead a team and shape the future of English across a vibrant and ambitious school?
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a passionate and innovative Head of English to join our dedicated team at Orchards Academy - a school at the heart of its community with a relentless drive to help every student reach their full potential. With the recent completion of works Orchards Academy has been awarded a brand new school building by the Government, this is a particularly exciting time to join our team and lead English into a new era of excellence.
We are looking for a talented individual to take responsibility for raising standards and inspiring a love of English across all key stages.
About Our School - Vision, Aims and Ethos
At Orchards Academy, our vision is simple but powerful: to provide every student with a safe, supportive learning environment where they are valued, inspired, and empowered to become responsible, independent members of society. To achieve this, we align ourselves with the four Ofsted strands:
Achievement of Pupils We set aspirational targets for all students based on prior attainment and teacher assessment. Regular tracking and monitoring ensure that every student has the opportunity to fulfil their academic potential across the curriculum - including in English, where language, literature, and communication are central to student success.
Quality of Teaching All our classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards and we continue to invest in high-quality resources and professional development. The English department will benefit from an established culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, with staff sharing best practice across curriculum areas.
Leadership and Management We believe in empowering leaders who are ambitious for their students and colleagues. As Head of English, you will have a clear vision for the development of the subject, and the support of a Senior Leadership Team who are present, engaged, and committed to helping you achieve excellence.
Behaviour and Safety of Pupils We foster an environment where students feel safe, supported and encouraged to take risks in their learning. Our strong pastoral care system, regular parent engagement, and well-established behaviour policies all contribute to a school climate in which English - as a tool for self-expression and understanding - thrives.
A Welcome from the Headteacher
At Orchards Academy, we pride ourselves on being a small, close-knit school with a strong sense of belonging. This allows our students to feel known, understood, and supported - both personally and academically. We nurture talent and foster a culture of high expectations and mutual respect. Our staff lead by example and act as positive role models for our students. Whether in the classroom or through extra-curricular opportunities, the English department plays a vital role in helping students develop their voice, empathy, and cultural awareness. Our Senior Leadership Team is highly visible and supportive - visiting lessons daily, listening to feedback, and ensuring that teaching and learning continues to improve. We're proud of our calm and purposeful atmosphere and of the positive, trusting relationships we build with students, families, and the wider community.
About the Role
We are seeking a dynamic and committed Head of English who is ready to lead a successful team, drive forward curriculum innovation, and help shape a culture of high standards in reading, writing, and communication.
The ideal candidate will:
* Be passionate about English and its role in transforming young people's lives.
* Demonstrate a strong track record of success in the classroom and in improving student outcomes.
* Have experience of leading, managing or mentoring others, or be ready to step into a leadership role.
* Show a deep pedagogical understanding and a reflective, growth-oriented mindset.
* Be committed to high expectations for all students, including those with additional needs.
* Be willing to play a full part in the wider life of the school community.
Safeguarding
TKAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Offers of employment will be subject to the full safer recruitment process, including an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.
Flexible working
TKAT recognises the value of enabling our employees to develop their career and balance this with their commitments and interests outside of work. In TKAT we promote flexible working practices and opportunities to promote a positive work life balance.
Our Commitment - Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Belonging
At TKAT, we are committed to Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Belonging. We embrace and celebrate differences, value individual experiences, aspirations, and achievements, and continuously learn how to grow better together. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, as we believe diversity strengthens our community and drives us forward.
Access to interview
Be Who You Are at TKAT - should you be selected and invited to interview please let us know if you require us to adapt the recruitment process to enable you to participate as your authentic self. We want applicants to be able to engage with us in ways that support who they are and we are committed to making adjustments within the recruitment process and within the workplace.
To apply or to arrange an informal conversation about the role, please contact: Alison Pearce Email: businessmanager@orchards-tkat.org
NO AGENCIES PLEASE - THIS VACANCY IS BEING FILLED BY DIRECT APPLICATION ONLY.
Please note, we may close this advert early if we receive a high number of suitable applications - so apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
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