One Excellence English Hub Early Language Specialist

St Michael's Church of England Primary School, Ferryhill, County Durham, DL17 9AL

15 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  1st September 2026

• Closing date

  14 May 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  29 April 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 1, Key stage 2
• Working pattern: Part time
• Contract type: Fixed term
• Full-time equivalent salary: Please see Application Pack for details.
• Additional allowances:

  Please see Application Pack for details.

One Excellence English Hub Early Language Specialist job summary

One Excellence English Hub is one of only 34 English Hubs across England appointed by the Department for Education, recognised for our expertise in the teaching of reading and for taking a leading role in supporting schools to improve their provision for phonics, early reading and early language.

Our work is driven by a strong moral purpose. We focus particularly on supporting the slowest‑progress children in Reception and Year 1, ensuring that every child is successful, regardless of background, additional needs or abilities. We believe that high‑quality early literacy teaching is fundamental to equity, opportunity and lifelong learning.

As an English Hub, we provide support rooted in the most up‑to‑date evidence and guidance linked to the three core aims of the English Hubs programme. All of our work offers schools opportunities to evaluate, refine and strengthen their practice, building sustainable capacity and confident leadership in literacy.

We work collaboratively with schools through intensive support partnerships, light‑touch support and high‑quality professional development. Our team of experienced Literacy Specialists bring deep subject knowledge, practical classroom experience and a commitment to reflective, evidence‑informed practice.

One Excellence English Hub supports schools across: County Durham Newcastle Gateshead North Tyneside South Tyneside Northumberland

Purpose of the Role

To improve outcomes in Communication and Language and Literacy by strengthening Reception Year practice in schools that need the most support. This role focuses on implementing evidence-based approaches to early literacy and supporting the effective implementation of early language programmes. Early language and literacy specialists will address gaps in oral language, vocabulary, comprehension and early writing to secure strong foundations for future learning.

Note: Phonics support will not be part of this role. However, ELLS should have a secure understanding of effective phonics practice so they can identify potential issues and ensure these are directed promptly to English Hub Literacy Specialists.

Literacy Specialist Base School

Base schools must ensure they have the capacity, expertise and commitment to release the Early Language and Literacy Specialist to take part in delivering school to-school support for the duration of the programme.

Early Language and Literacy Specialists are seconded from their base school through a flexible agreement.

Applications must include a supporting statement from the applicant’s Headteacher confirming their commitment to release the member of staff for this time.

Time Commitment

Summer Term 2026 - 24th June, 29th June and 2nd July 2026 Early Language Literacy Specialist Days (these must be attended)

1st September 2026 - 20th July 2027 - Secondment on an agreement with the Headteacher.

When completing the application, the headteacher will need to state the frequency the Literacy Specialist can be released (for example, one day a week)

Payment

Schools will receive £375 per Literacy Specialist support day, plus £75 to completed the associated paperwork (total £450). Specialists must be currently employed by a primary school and will continue to be paid through their school’s payroll.

Closing Date: 11:59pm, Thursday 14 May 2026

Informed of Longlisting Outcome: Friday 15 May 2026

School Visits: Tuesday 2 June - Thursday 4 June 2026

Interviews (if shortlisted): Monday 8 June 202

Applicants will need to submit: An application form on My New Term and a supporting statement from their Headteacher confirming their commitment to release them for the role within the application form Please note CVs will not be accepted.

Round 2 - School Visit Following longlisting, round two of the process will involve a school visit. On this visit, we will observe phonics and meet with the Headteacher and applicant. These visits will be no longer than one hour

Disclosure: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to enhanced clearance through the Disclosure and Barring Service. We are an Equal Opportunities Employer. We want to develop a more diverse workforce, and we welcome applications from all sections of the community. Applicants with disabilities will be invited for an interview if the essential job criteria are met. Where our roles are customer facing and you are required to speak to members of the public, the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post. As a disability confident employer, we are committed to employing disabled people and people with health conditions making reasonable adjustments to support disabled applicants when required.

If you think this post is for you, please contact Beth Dawson or Abby Moore for an informal discussion on (01740) 651482.

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 St Michael's Church of England Primary School

• School type: Academy, Church of England, ages 2 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 117 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 2 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: St Michael's Church of England Primary School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/st-michael-s-church-of-england-primary-school-ferryhill

School location

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