Job Overview
JOIN OUR MISSION TO BECOME ONE OF THE BEST SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY!
Are you an ambitious and driven English leader ready to take the next step in your career? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, high-expectation environment where your expertise and leadership can make a real difference? If so, this is your opportunity to join a school on a rapid journey of transformation.
At Ernulf Academy, we’re looking for someone who is passionate about curriculum, teaching, and assessment—and who has a proven track record of delivering exceptional outcomes. As Assistant Principal: Director of English & Whole School Literacy, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our school. You’ll lead a dedicated team, sit on the Senior Leadership Team, and help drive whole-school improvement with a focus on excellence in English.
This role is ideal for someone who is ready to influence at a strategic level while remaining deeply connected to classroom practice. If you're excited by the idea of being part of a school that is rewriting its story—and want to be a key player in that success—then we want to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and manage the English team to promote highly effective pedagogy and student learning.
* Oversee curriculum planning and resourcing to ensure excellent progression for all students.
* Lead departmental ‘intellectual preparation’ sessions.
* Provide leadership across the English department and contribute to whole-school improvement.
* Drive the Astrea Reads programme and coordinate reading interventions such as Thinking Reading and Fresh Start.
* Ensure no student reads below their chronological reading age by the end of Year 8.
Why Join Ernulf Academy?
This is a transformational moment in our school’s journey. When the current leadership team took over in September 2024, Ernulf had never received a ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted. Just one term later, in January 2025, we were rated ‘Good’ in all categories. We are on a rapid mission to become one of the best schools in the country—and we want you to be part of it.
Located within an hour’s commute of North London, Norfolk, Grantham, and Rugby, Ernulf Academy is a school where ambition, simplicity, and kindness drive everything we do.
Our Ethos: Work Hard, Be Kind
Work Hard
We believe in high expectations, simple rules, and disruption-free classrooms. Our knowledge-rich curriculum is built on ‘powerful knowledge’ and delivered through evidence-based teaching inspired by Rosenshine’s principles and Teach Like A Champion. We back our teachers as the experts in the room.
Be Kind
We are warm, welcoming, and friendly. We teach empathy, respect, and kindness alongside academic excellence. Our zero-tolerance approach to bullying and our strong pastoral care ensure every child feels safe and supported.
World-Class Enrichment
In Autumn 2024 alone, our students visited Cambridge University, The British Museum, The National Gallery, RAF Hendon, and Kenilworth Castle—and even appeared on Channel 5 and BBC Radio! Weekly electives include British Sign Language, clubbercise, robotics, chess, girls’ cricket, and more.
What We Offer
* A knowledge-rich curriculum and traditional teaching approach.
* Collaborative planning with centralised resources.
* Disruption-free learning and a warm/strict behaviour system.
* Pay above national scales.
* 8 INSET days per year.
* Whole-class feedback to reduce workload and increase impact.
Ready to Apply?
If you're passionate about education, excited by rapid school improvement, and ready to make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you. View the job description and candidate pack for full details. To arrange a visit or discuss the role, contact Sarah McCormick at: sarah.mccormick@astreaernulf.org
We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications—so don’t delay, apply today!
Our Commitment to Safeguarding and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
At Astrea Academy Trust, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people is our highest priority. All roles are subject to rigorous background checks, including satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check.
We are proud to be an inclusive employer and actively welcome applications from individuals who are underrepresented in our workforce. This includes candidates from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and members of the LGBTQI+ community.
As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to removing barriers to recruitment, development, and progression for disabled colleagues. We are happy to provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to ensure all applicants have the opportunity to demonstrate their strengths and potential.
Ready to Make a Difference?
If you're passionate about inspiring young minds and want to be part of a supportive, forward-thinking team, apply today and help shape the future at Ernulf Academy! #J-18808-Ljbffr