Second in English

Great Western Academy, Swindon, SN25 2PP

20 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2026

• Closing date

  5 March 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  13 February 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Subject: English
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: MPS/UPS + TLR 2a (£3,527)
• Additional allowances:

  MPS/UPS + TLR 2a (£3,527)

Second in English job summary

We are seeking a dynamic, well-qualified and forward-thinking teacher of English to help lead and further develop the excellent work that has taken place in this curriculum area since the opening of Great Western Academy in September 2018.

The Academy is heavily oversubscribed in all years and has a thriving sixth form to match. Our first two sets of GCSE results showed that the progress made by the large majority of students has been excellent, particularly in English and Maths. Benchmark results are well above national averages (2024: 72% grade 4+ in English and Maths, 2025: 70% grade 4+ in English and Maths) from cohorts that matched national averages on entry. This reflects progress by students of all abilities, with those with EHCPs particularly successful, several of them progressing to our Sixth Form. The results of our first four A-level cohorts have also been excellent and enabled 98% of university applicants to take up their offers, including four to Oxford and Cambridge; students have also secured prestigious apprenticeships with companies such as with Airbus and Rolls Royce. We believe firmly that strong outcomes follow from high expectations, high quality teaching, and strong support in terms of behaviour structures and targeted academic and pastoral interventions.

This role will provide the successful applicant with opportunities to further develop and teach an exciting English curriculum in KS3 and KS4 as well as teaching A-level in Language, Literature or both. You will be part of a dynamic teaching team, and you will therefore have the chance to significantly shape the experiences of our students in the subject as they progress. The exact area of leadership within the faculty will be decided based on the strengths of the appointed candidate.

Our philosophy of Achievement, Care and Excellence permeates all we do, with Care firmly at the centre of this. We believe that to Achieve and Excel students need to be Cared for, but also need to Care for each other, for their local environment, and for the world they live in. We use the phrase “Work Hard, Be Kind” to summarise what we expect of students and to create a culture of positive support where students behave well and are able to thrive, whatever their needs, and where they are proactively and effectively safeguarded.

The successful candidate will also have the chance to contribute to our enrichment programme which runs for all students from 3.10 to 4.15pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. This provides opportunities to work with students in an area of your own interest to broaden and deepen their range of experiences at school.

Great Western Academy aims to radically improve the life chances of every student who attends. Our national award-winning building and state-of-the-art facilities help us to achieve this, but it is the fantastic team of staff who turn our vision into reality.

Our priority is very much to recruit the best classroom practitioners who can ensure our students arrive at the Academy excited about the day ahead and leave each day talking about the excellent learning they have experienced. To this end, staff have the freedom and creativity to develop lessons within GWA’s framework of Teaching and Learning (known as our ‘preferred pedagogy’) and faculty expectations.

Why Join Us?

• Strong Results and Progress for All Learners: Our students consistently achieve impressive results, demonstrating great progress at all levels. We are committed to ensuring that every learner, regardless of their starting point, is empowered to achieve.

• Growing A-Level Cohorts: The popularity of A-Level English continues to grow, reflecting the high-quality teaching and engaging curriculum we deliver. You’ll have the chance to teach motivated and ambitious students.

• Outstanding Post-18 Destinations: Our students go on to pursue brilliant opportunities after Sixth Form, including top university places, competitive apprenticeships, and exciting careers. Your work will have a lasting impact on shaping their futures.

• Brand-New Facilities and Resources: Our state-of-the-art building, extensive resources, and fully equipped spaces are designed to support practical, engaging, and inspiring English education.

• Commitment to Professional Growth: We prioritise continuous professional development, offering opportunities both within and beyond the school. Many of our staff have completed NPQs and are actively pursuing specialist development courses.

• A Positive, Welcoming, and Inclusive Work Environment: We pride ourselves on being a workplace where staff thrive. Our team is welcoming, inclusive, and supportive, creating a positive culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed.

• Support for Early Career Teachers (ECTs): Our experienced mentors and robust induction programmes have successfully supported many ECTs in their early career development, ensuring they grow into confident and capable educators.

If you're ready to join a faculty that values innovation, collaboration, and professional growth we’d love to hear from you.

Additional benefits of working at GWA include:

Average class sizes of 26 in years 7 to 11
Flexible working opportunities
Excellent CPD opportunities
State of the art facilities
Leading edge ICT, including a laptop provided for all staff
Free Health and Wellbeing Support Service
Cycle to work scheme through Cyclescheme
Access to EV charging on site. Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice scheme
Easy access to the A419, and free parking

Further details are available on the Academy website www.gwacademy.co.uk and in the information documents attached.

Applications should be submitted electronically by 9am on Thursday 5th March 2026. Interviews to take place soon after the close date. Please note that we may interview before the closing date (and close the advert early) depending on the suitability and number of applicants.

Safeguarding Statement

Great Western Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

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

Great Western Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff to share this commitment and undergo appropriate checks. All posts within the Trust are therefore subject to an Enhanced DBS and barred list check. 

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 Great Western Academy

• School type: Free School, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1025 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Great Western Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/great-western-academy

Great Western Academy opened in brand new, state-of-the-art facilities in North Swindon in September 2018. The Academy is heavily oversubscribed in years 7,8,9,10 and 11 and our Sixth Form is thriving with exceptional results.

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