Lead Practitioner

The Spires College, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3PE

18 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  1 January 2027

• Closing date

  13 October 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  25 September 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher or lecturer
  • Other leadership role
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Pay scale: Lead Practitioner Pay Range 6 – 10 (2026-27: £60,917 - £67,286)

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are seeking to appoint a Lead Practitioner to join our extended leadership team. Candidates will be skilled in the classroom, articulate and dedicated to bringing positive outcomes for young people in our school community. The successful candidate will be both an exceptional teacher as well as inspiring, intelligent and thoughtful in their approach to leading others.

This post has a whole-college focus. The successful applicant will work as a small team with senior leaders to support the development of teaching and learning across the College. Lead Practitioners have two central responsibilities in addition to their own teaching: to work with staff individually to guide their practice and to facilitate small group CPD and coaching. They work closely with the Senior Leadership Team to ensure the College offers the right support to all staff.

The post is open to applications from experienced teachers of all national curriculum subjects. We are particularly keen to hear from interested English, History or RE teachers but we are looking to appoint an exceptional teacher, and this matters more than the subject offered. The post holder absolutely must model great teaching themselves. They must also have a good understanding of how children learn and what makes great teaching to allow them to work alongside others to address their development needs.

This is a fantastic opportunity for talented teachers to impact more widely on students’ success beyond their own classrooms. If you are ready for the next step in your career but wish to focus completely on developing teaching and learning, this could be the ideal opportunity for you.

The successful applicant will:

• put children and young people first;
• be an exceptional classroom practitioner, who is able to teach a national curriculum subject at Key Stages 3, 4 and 5;
• be able to use a strong pedagogical understanding to guide teachers to develop their practice in a genuinely useful way;
• have experience of developing the work of colleagues at various professional stages;
• have the ability to motivate and inspire others;
• have an up-to-date knowledge of the emerging issues in education;
• be confident to work with a high degree of autonomy whilst also being collaborative and an effective team player;
• be a committed, highly-competent, reflective and resilient individual;
• have a sense of humour and good interpersonal and communication skills.

What the school offers its staff

The College is a close community, with a shared desire to be the best we can be. We are committed to staff’s professional development and invest heavily in ensuring our teachers grow and flourish as practitioners.

We offer:

• the opportunity to be part of a successful and supportive Extended Leadership Team;
• excellent professional development and a wide range of professional opportunities, including significant leadership development opportunities;
• a high level of support for all new staff;
• the opportunity to work to your own initiative whilst receiving ample guidance and support;
• the opportunity to take a leading role in ensuring teachers retain their professional autonomy;
• a friendly, supportive environment;
• a modern, purpose-built building and excellent facilities;

• an exceptional staff benefits package including access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, a car and cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme, a free flu jab each year, blue light card benefits and free gym access. We also offer a comprehensive staff wellbeing service which offers access to 24/7 nurse and GP support, access to physiotherapy, counselling and mindfulness sessions.

The Spires College is a co-educational, 11-18 Bilateral School with a selective stream. We are a friendly, caring school which puts the needs of our children at the heart of all we do.

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 further details about the college and the role, please see the attached brochure.

Commitment to safeguarding

The College is committed to safeguarding and to the promotion of the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts are subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure with barred list information.

Applying for the job

This job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Additional documents

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

Lead Practitioner Brochure 26.pdf - 1.66 MB (opens in new tab)

About The Spires College

• Organisation type: Local authority maintained school, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• Size: 1154 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: The Spires College website
• Email address: jobs@thespirescollege.com
• Phone number: 01803 400660
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-spires-college

The Spires College is a co-educational, 11-18 bilateral school with a selective stream.

We are a friendly, caring school which puts the needs of our children at the heart of all we do.

We are committed the professional development of our staff and invest heavily in ensuring our teachers grow and flourish as practitioners.

The College is committed to safeguarding all of its students. All staff are required to adhere to our safeguarding policies and procedures and regularly undertake a full enhanced DBS check.

Arranging a visit to The Spires College

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email jobs@thespirescollege.com.

School location

Get a job alert when similar jobs are listed

Find more school jobs in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay