Assistant Principal - English

The Hyndburn Academy, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB1 4ED

16 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  January 2027

• Closing date

  16 October 2026 at 5pm

• Date listed

  29 September 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Assistant headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full time equivalent salary: Leadership Pay Scales

Assistant Principal - English job summary

This role requires a dynamic educator who can deliver engaging and innovative lessons to inspire pupils of all abilities and create a positive and inclusive classroom environment. The successful candidate will be committed to bringing out ‘the best in everyone’, enabling all students to achieve their full potential. The role will also involve contributing to the ongoing development of the department and the wider school community. We are looking for a collaborative professional who is dedicated to high standards of teaching and learning and who will play an active part in the continued success of the school.

This is an exciting opportunity to join not only a thriving school but also a very high performing Trust with a national profile. You will benefit from working as part of a dynamic, forward-thinking SLT and benefit from a wealth of support from the United Learning Trust subject association.

We are seeking to appoint an Assistant Principal to join the senior leadership team at The Hyndburn Academy, with strategic responsibility for English across the school. This is a key leadership role, suited to an outstanding practitioner with a strong track record of securing excellent outcomes in English and demonstrating impactful leadership in their current role. The successful candidate will lead the English Department while also contributing to wider whole‑school Quality of Education priorities.

This role would suit an ambitious leader who is passionate about improving outcomes for students and who is keen to develop their leadership skills through broader senior responsibilities. You will be a confident and reflective leader, never complacent, constantly evaluating what is working and where further refinement or change is needed. Commitment, strategic thinking, and the ability to translate ideas into sustained impact will be essential for success.

The English department at The Hyndburn Academy is a strong and committed team, supported by effective leadership, including a Head of Department, Second in Department and a TLR holder with responsibility for Reading and Literacy. As Assistant Principal, you will lead a team dedicated to improving life chances for our students through raising academic achievement.

As a senior leader, you will be a visible and influential presence across the academy, building positive relationships with staff, students, and wider stakeholders. You will lead with confidence and integrity, demonstrating a clear belief in the power of education to transform lives. With high expectations for achievement, character, and conduct, you will lead by example, inspire colleagues, and support them to deliver excellence for every student.

Specific Areas of responsibility for the Assistant Principal for English:

This will be a key role in the strategic leadership of our academy in the relentless pursuit of our ambition to become an outstanding academy.

The strategic leadership of Handwriting, Literacy, Reading and attainment across all year groups

To work with the SLT in developing the strategic plan for the development of resilient and independent learners at the academy.

We offer excellent opportunities for professional development and career progression within a supportive and collaborative environment.

You will be an experienced teacher with Qualified Teacher Status, who consistently delivers good to outstanding lessons, or an early career teacher with the potential to be an exceptional practitioner. You will have strong interpersonal skills, sound behaviour management skills and have the highest expectations for what our pupils can achieve. Above all, you will be committed to helping every child fulfil their potential and to bringing out ‘the best in everyone’ and playing an active role in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all pupils.

The Hyndburn Academy is part of United Learning, a growing group of schools whose aim is to provide excellent education to children and young people across the country. We are committed to ensuring our employees feel valued, supported and rewarded. As part of United Learning, we offer opportunities and a benefits package beyond that of an individual school.

We’re proud to offer ‘more pay, more time, and more support’. We offer the best pay in the sector, three extra INSET days dedicated to planning and professional development, one paid personal leave day each year during term time.

We place a high priority on developing our staff. Every employee benefits from a supportive annual review process with a tailored programme of personal development. We also facilitate a wide range of professional networks, enabling colleagues to collaborate, share best practice and learn from colleagues in similar roles.

We are committed to supporting your wellbeing. Flexible working is available where roles allow, alongside a comprehensive range of benefits including enhanced parental leave, access to a health cash plan (following 6 months’ service) employee assistance and wellbeing programmes, and free flu vaccines. Further information about our rewards and benefits can be found at - www.unitedlearning.org.uk/careers/rewards-and-benefits.

If you enjoy a varied role and take pride in making a difference, we’d love to hear from you!

If you would like to arrange an informal conversation or visit the school, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please get in touch using the details below.

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.

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.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About The Hyndburn Academy

• Organisation type: Academy, ages 11 to 16
• Education phase: Secondary school
• Size: 641 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: The Hyndburn Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-hyndburn-academy

The Hyndburn Academy opened in September 2017 and was rated Good by Ofsted in May 2022. We are proud to be part of United Learning and work closely with our sister schools Accrington Academy and Marsden Heights Community College.

The Hyndburn Academy has ambitious plans for its students and staff. Over the next few years, we are aiming to rapidly transform into the successful school our fantastic students deserve.

The Hyndburn Academy is part of United Learning, a large, and growing, group of schools aiming to offer a life-changing education to children and young people across England. United Learning is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All positions are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online check.

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