Assistant Learning Leader English

Sir John Thursby Community College, Burnley, Lancashire, BB10 2AT

13 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 January 2027

• Closing date

  21 September 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  8 September 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher or lecturer
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 3, Key stage 4
• Subject: English
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full time equivalent salary: MPS/UPS £32,916 - £51,048 pa
• Additional allowances:

  TLR 2.2 £5872pa

What skills and experience we're looking for

“We are characterised by how we treat our people”

We are incredibly proud of our ambitious, curriculum focused, research-driven school. Our vision is built around the principles of ambition, respect and belonging and we have a strong commitment to the development of our staff as outstanding professionals.

We wish to appoint an excellent teacher to join our experienced and supportive English department where we offer AQA GCSE Language and Literature courses at KS4 which work in tandem with our engaging and challenging KS3 curriculum.Our curriculum in English has developed into a highly ambitious offer in recent years and we have enjoyed some very strong outcomes which are in line with national averages.

What the school offers its staff

This is a great opportunity for the right candidate to develop their leadership skills, contribute to our work and benefit from an excellent environment, where teachers are encouraged to progress their careers with us. We have great facilities ensuring that our students and staff have the best learning environment in which to achieve. SJT is a very positive community, with our recent staff survey showing the majority of our staff to be happy, content and proud to be a part of our school with over 83% recommending SJT as a great place to work.

We are looking for a teacher who shares our drive and passion to inspire our students with their love of their subject and has the motivation and expertise to:

• Work as part of the English leadership team, of a Learning Leader and Lead Practitioner, to continue to drive standards in curriculum, assessment and achievement
• Support the Learning Leader and wider team in the leadership of English
• Take on specific areas of responsibility to support the effective development of curriculum learning and assessment

You will also ensure every student achieves through:

• Outstanding classroom practice and an ability to engage all young people.
• The ability to motivate students of all abilities to achieve their full potential.
• A passion and commitment to raise standards and achievement.
• The ability to work and contribute as part of a team.
• Commitment, resilience, patience, hard work and a good sense of humour.
• The willingness to do what it takes to achieve a goal.

The successful candidate will fully embrace our ethos of Ambition, Respect and Belonging whilst bringing fresh ideas that will build on current strengths and achievement. A core pillar of our “belonging” ethos is that all in our community are known, valued and loved. We want all staff to share this commitment.

We welcome applications from suitably experienced and passionate colleagues who understand our values and want to make a difference to our young people.

Whilst the post will ideally be for full-time hours, requests for part time / job share will be considered.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

For an application pack please:

• download from the college website: www.sirjohnthursby.lancs.sch.uk
• or telephone 01282 682313
• or email recruitment@sirjohnthursby.lancs.sch.uk

Send your completed Application form (only the version attached) stating which post you wish to apply for to: recruitment@sirjohnthursby.lancs.sch.uk

Closing date: 9am Monday 21st September 2026

Shortlisting: Thursday 24th September 2026

Interviews: Monday 5th October 2026

Commitment to safeguarding

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects staff and volunteers to share this commitment. You will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS disclosure and a range of other recruitment checks. Please note that in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 an online search will be carried out as part of our due diligence on shortlisted candidates.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

Asst LL English Application Pack Sept 2026.pdf - 799 KB (opens in new tab)

Teaching Application Form LCC Aug 2023.doc - 492 KB (opens in new tab)

About Sir John Thursby Community College

• Organisation type: Local authority maintained school, ages 11 to 16
• Education phase: Secondary school
• Size: 1121 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: Sir John Thursby Community College website
• Email address: l.clayton@sirjohnthursby.lancs.sch.uk
• Phone number: 01282 682313
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/sir-john-thursby-community-college

Background Information and Introduction from the Headteacher 

I am incredibly proud to be leading a committed team of staff in our vibrant, ambitious and progressive community School. We are characterised by how we treat our people. Everything we do is driven by our strategic vision and our ambition to be a beacon of excellence for our students and families. We are research driven and our work is linked to our core values of Ambition, Respect and Belonging. We are passionate about learning and we have a genuine commitment to ensuring our staff have autonomy, within a framework of a respectful, professional environment. 

Sir John Thursby Community College is a mixed 11-16, multi-cultural, fully inclusive school which values all students, staff and our community partners. We have over 1,100 students on roll and over 150 staff enjoying working together to provide the best for everyone. In our latest Ofsted report in April 2023, the school was graded ‘good’ in every area and inspectors commented that the pupils ‘enjoy attending this thriving and popular school' People and relationships are at the heart of what we do. One of our key values is that all members of our school community are known, valued and loved. We are firmly committed to ensuring that all our staff have a positive work/life balance and we give all our teaching staff a minimum of 20% non-contact time. SJT is a very positive community, with our recent staff survey showing the majority of our staff to be happy, content and proud to be part of our school with over 83% recommending SJT as a great place to work. We have a highly ambitious curriculum with over 70% of students following the EBacc subjects. Our results are consistently strong, and students make excellent progress from their starting points. Our behaviour system is built around the principles of relational practice and students behave well. 

I would encourage you to come and visit SJT to see why we all believe that it is a special place to work. I am always keen to show people around our school so would welcome any contact for an appointment to see us in action. 

Mr Matt Renshaw - Headteacher 

SJT is committed to safeguarding and expects all applicants to share this commitment. All staff are required to adhere to our safeguarding policies and procedures and regularly undertake a full enhanced DBS check.

Arranging a visit to Sir John Thursby Community College

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email l.clayton@sirjohnthursby.lancs.sch.uk.

School location

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