Lead Practitioner (English and Whole-School Reading)

Samuel Ward Academy, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 0LD

11 days remaining to apply

Start date details
September 2025, or by negotiation
Closing date
3 February 2025 at 9am
Date listed
13 January 2025

Job details

Job role: Teacher
Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage: Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
Subject: English
Working pattern: Full time: 33.25 hours per week.
Contract type: Permanent
Pay scale: Leadership 5-9 (FTE: £54,939 - £60,644 per annum)

What skills and experience we're looking for

Samuel Ward Academy is looking to appoint a well-qualified, optimistic, and successful Lead Practitioner to join our friendly, high-performing English department and Pedagogical Leadership Team. Alongside teaching A Level and GCSE English, the successful candidate will lead the strategy for whole-school reading, alongside the SEND department, SLT and Heads of Department across the schools. There will also be the opportunity to make a contribution across Unity Schools Partnership which includes secondary, special and primary schools. This is an excellent opportunity for an inspiring English teacher with a passion for ensuring that each student can fully access the curriculum, be supported to read well and to achieve highly in their GCSE and A Level examinations.

The successful candidate will be a teacher of the highest calibre who has the ability to motivate, challenge and inspire our students. You will be a highly skilled, innovative and enthusiastic practitioner with a determination to achieve the highest outcomes. Already an excellent teacher, you will be ambitious to have an impact across the whole curriculum and possibly the Trust as well.

What the school offers its staff

We are a warm, welcoming school, at the heart of our community, committed to creating rich and fulfilling futures for each child. We ensure that our students aspire to be their very best, tackle challenges bravely and work together with compassion to build an inclusive community in which each individual can flourish. We are an Ofsted Good school with the ambition to be a great school. You will join a staff dedicated to promoting a positive culture of tolerance, respect and excellence.

All staff at SWA benefit from close links with colleagues in the other secondary schools in the Unity Schools Partnership. You will join a highly visible and supportive SLT in a school with a sensible approach to workload and a calm, respectful working environment, alongside a professional and dedicated team of staff. Samuel Ward is a successful 11-18 co-educational academy. We are situated in pleasant surroundings on the western edge of Suffolk, within easy reach of Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds. We benefit from a modern building and excellent facilities.

Further details about the role

Candidates are encouraged to visit our website to learn more about us and to see our Staff Well-being Charter. We encourage prospective applicants to come and visit us during the school day. Please contact Tom Johnston, Headteacher for more information, an informal conversation or to make a pre-application visit (email Kirsty Franks, Headteacher’s PA on Kfranks@samuelward.co.uk )

Commitment to safeguarding

Unity Schools Partnership is committed to safer recruitment, equal opportunities, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required.