Director of English and Literacy (Head of Department)
Sir Thomas Wharton Academy, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN12 1HH17 days remaining to apply
Start date details
September 2026
Closing date
13 April 2026 at 9am
Date listed
27 March 2026
Job details
Job role
- Head of department or curriculum
- Other leadership roles
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
Subject
- English
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- LPR 4-8
What skills and experience we're looking for
Sir Thomas Wharton Academy is an exciting school. Our vision of delivering exceptional learning experiences that enable young people to thrive in a competitive world and lead successful and fulfilling lives permeates everything we do. Alongside the highest standards, a golden thread of care, encouragement and enrichment opportunity runs through the school. Our young people are invested, unique, resilient and they take responsibility for their actions. These simple values enable them to fulfil every aspect of their potential. We invite you to visit the school so that you can see for yourself how amazing our school community is and gain a clear picture of our journey and the bright future of Sir Thomas Wharton Academy.
As our admission numbers increase and our A-level English offer expands, we are keen to add capacity to support the incredible team’s continued development. We are seeking to appoint an ambitious and talented teacher with a proven track record of securing successful student outcomes across all key stages. The Director of English will undertake the role of head of department, acting in a leadership capacity and possessing the key qualities necessary to develop professionals, inspire young people and contribute to school improvement.
Sir Thomas Wharton Academy has a fully staffed team of professionals delivering high quality learning in and out of the classroom who work together to achieve our Academy vision ‘to deliver exceptional learning experiences that enable all young people to thrive in a competitive world and lead successful and fulfilling lives’. If you feel you would like to be a part of that team and could make a valuable contribution to driving standards and performance to the next level, we would like to hear from you.
A visit to the Academy – either during or out of school hours – is highly recommended and warmly welcomed so you can meet the Principal and key Middle and Senior Leaders to discuss the post in more detail.
The ideal candidate will:
- be a driven, proactive, and positive individual with an unwavering commitment to continuously improving their own standards of teaching and learning.
- fully 'buy in' to using IRIS and regular drop-in feedback as a mechanism to improving their day-to-day performance as a teacher.
- have the ability and desire to deliver exceptional teaching and learning.
- be a dynamic practitioner with a relentless desire to drive up educational standards and deliver exceptional outcomes for all cohorts of pupils.
- have excellent subject knowledge and be able to teach effectively across the age and ability ranges.
- have a track record of delivering clear impact with their own classes.
- be an aspiring, ambitious leader with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- have a proven track record of raising and maintaining standards and securing high quality provision.
- be an advocate of partnership working and community engagement.
- be a team player and work closely with other leaders and professionals to develop and implement effective strategies and processes of departmental improvement.
- have a true growth mindset, exceptional work ethic and a sense of humour.
- be committed to the Sir Thomas Wharton Academy vision.
- have the knowledge and experience of the context in which Sir Thomas Wharton Academy operates.
What the school offers its staff
In return we offer:
- modern, purpose-built learning spaces, which inspire exceptional teaching and learning.
- excellent career development opportunities and access to a comprehensive and continuous programme of personalised ‘Professional Learning and Development’ (PLD).
- an excellent induction programme with dynamic, driven, and supportive staff.
- an opportunity to shape strategy within an already successful team.
- an opportunity to contribute to developing teaching and learning across the Learning Trust.
- mentoring and support from an experienced leadership team.
- a range of employee benefits, including:
- cycle to work scheme
- 24/7 access to telephone/video GP service
- cash healthcare plan
- staff rewards gateway
- smart tech
Further information about the job
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
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Sir Thomas Wharton Academy
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1166 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Sir Thomas Wharton Academy website
- Email address
- n.winder@stwacademy.com
Arranging a visit to Sir Thomas Wharton Academy
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email n.winder@stwacademy.com.
School location
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