Lead Practitioner -English

Leigh Academy Hugh Christie, Tonbridge, Kent, TN10 4PU

17 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  January 2027

• Closing date

  12 October 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  25 September 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Head of department or curriculum
• 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: Leadership Scale based on experience

What skills and experience we're looking for

Leadership Scale (England & Wales) + Teacher Pension Scheme + 24/7 access to a free virtual GP Service + collaborative MAT network + additional LAT benefits.

Are you an inspiring and ambitious English specialist ready to lead, innovate and make a lasting impact? Leigh Academy Hugh Christie is seeking a dynamic and forward-thinking Lead Practitioner - English to join our thriving academy from January 2027.

At Leigh Academy Hugh Christie, we are more than just a school; we are a rapidly transforming community where high expectations, creativity and collaboration sit at the heart of everything we do.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead and shape a vibrant English department at a pivotal stage in our development. As Lead Practitioner, you will drive excellence in teaching and learning, inspire a team of committed practitioners, and ensure our curriculum is ambitious, coherent and grounded in strong subject expertise.

What the school offers its staff

What makes Leigh Academy Hugh Christie a special place to work:

• Strategic Leadership: Autonomy to design and deliver a high-quality English curriculum, inspiring students through creative expression, critical analysis, and a deep exploration of literature and language.

• Professional Growth: Access to bespoke leadership development within the Leigh Academies Trust, collaborating with expert advisors to set new benchmarks for excellence.

• Team Empowerment: Lead and mentor a talented team of educators, fostering a culture of collaborative inquiry, mutual respect, and shared ambition.

• World-Class Facilities: Teach in a state-of-the-art environment featuring modern facilities and dedicated digital suites.

• Student-Centred Mission: Join a team dedicated to empowering the next generation of critical thinkers to understand and influence the world through evidence-based discovery.

If you are ready to join a department with energy, integrity and ambition - and help shape the future of English education within a flourishing academy - we would love to hear from you.

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

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.

Job Pack _ Lead Practitioner - English _ Leigh Academy Hugh Christie.pdf - 776 KB (opens in new tab)

About Leigh Academy Hugh Christie

• Organisation type: Academy, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• Size: 688 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: Leigh Academy Hugh Christie website
• Email address: joinus@latrust.org.uk
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/hugh-christie-school-tonbridge

Arranging a visit to Leigh Academy Hugh Christie

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email joinus@latrust.org.uk.

School location

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