Teacher of English (Maternity)
Weald of Kent Grammar School, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 2JP12 days remaining to apply
Start date details
February 2026
Closing date
9 December 2025 at 9am
Date listed
27 November 2025
Job details
Job role
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
- Fixed term - Until the end of maternity leave - Maternity or parental leave cover
Pay scale
- MPS/UPS
What skills and experience we're looking for
Qualifications
Qualified Teacher Status
Degree or equivalent
Experience
Outstanding classroom teacher and tutor
Sustained performance securing very good student outcomes
The ability to teach English to KS4
The ability to teach English to A-Level
Skills & Knowledge
Able to communicate effectively, orally and in writing
Able to consistently demonstrate effective planning for practical lessons to help support the delivery of outstanding lessons
Confident in own ability to be effective and to take on challenges
Ability to relate well to students, colleagues, parents and Trustees
Effective behaviour management
Able to support students in maintaining high standards
Efficient and effective administrative, organisational and personal management skills
Personal Attributes
Ability to inspire, challenge and motivate
Have a positive approach with a desire to succeed
Energy, enthusiasm and perseverance
Reliability and integrity
Good interpersonal skills
Professional appearance and manner
Positive commitment to individual personal development
Capacity to work hard, under pressure, to meet deadlines and manage time effectively
A good record of attendance
Adaptable and amenable with respect to working practices
Ability to work independently and in a team, take a collaborative approach
Ability to build supportive working relationships with colleagues
Commitment to supporting the full life of the school
Suitable to work with children
To undertake other activities identified from time to time commensurate with the level of the post as determined by your Line Manager or SLT link
To be committed to your own development through the effective use of the School’s CPD processes
To understand your own responsibilities, be committed to and comply with School policies and procedures relating to child protection, health & safety, welfare, security, diversity & equality, confidentiality and data protection, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
To work collaboratively with the wider organisation and act in the interests of the School at all times
To support the delivery of the School’s strategy as it relates to this post
Equal Opportunities
A commitment to inclusive education
What the school offers its staff
Professional Development
§ Research led CPD programmes, tailored to individual’s aspirations, which are based both in school and across the wider Trust.
§ A full induction programme for all new staff.
§ ECT’s will have a lower teaching load, timetabled mentoring sessions and a full programme of training and induction activities.
§ Unlimited access to the National College CPD platform.
§ An additional INSET day at the beginning of the academic year dedicated to teacher planning and preparation.
§ Our “No lesson judgements” policy ensures lesson observations are developmental and supportive.
§ One INSET day a year dedicated to moderation and curriculum preparation.
Staff Welfare
§ Data capture that is measured and timely - we report progress home three times a year.
§ Minimal written reports.
§ No requirement for teachers to submit lesson plans, even for lesson observations.
§ Teaching staff are only required to do a maximum of one twenty-minute duty each week.
§ Supportive yet challenging governance, which understands that teachers are our most valuable resource.
§ We are a school that appreciates the importance of family. We do our best to support staff when there are issues and requests for additional leave regarding family events and an Additional Leave policy that supports staff when they may need time off school.
§ A teaching load of 43/50 one-hour periods of teaching per fortnight maximum.
Support
§ The school calendar is planned in advance across the whole year so people know what is happening and when.
§ In-house cover supervision team.
§ A comprehensive pastoral team to help with supporting our students with behaviour and wellbeing.
§ A highly effective and proactive support staff that play an important role in supporting teaching and learning.
§ A Marketing, Events and Visits team that are responsible for organising key school events and trips.
Benefits
§ School budgets are set making the assumption that everybody will get their incremental pay rise.
§ Cycle to work scheme.
§ Healthcare cash plan.
§ Occupational health support.
§ Priority admission for staff children (see admissions policy on school website).
§ Employee Discount Scheme (Multiple Retailers – Kent Reward Scheme).
§ Opportunity to perform paid lunch-time duties (with free lunch).
§ Free annual flu vaccination.
§ Employee Assistance Programme.
§ Free tea and coffee provided in the staff room.
§ Use of onsite canteen offering hot meals and salad bar.
§ Opportunities to participate in enrichment activities e.g. theatre visits.
§ Opportunities for flexible working.
§ Free on-site parking.
§ Membership of the Teachers' Pension Scheme(TPS) or Local Government Pension Scheme(LGPS).
Environment
§ Pleasant working environment with very well-behaved students.
§ Eleven acres of school grounds set in Green Belt land at Tonbridge Campus.
Further information about the job
Employment Status: Maternity
Full Time/Part Time: Full Time
Salary: MPS/UPS
Start Date: February 2026
We are looking to appoint a flexible, highly motivated and organized Teacher of English. Our results over time have been outstanding and we are an outward looking and innovative team. This is an ideal opportunity for an outstanding English specialist who is looking to work in a high achieving and ambitious team.
This post would ideally suit a colleague who is looking for a new challenge and wishes to work with highly motivated, extremely engaged, enthusiastic and able learners at this significant time in our development. If you wish to extend further your repertoire of teaching and learning strategies, then Weald of Kent would be a perfect fit for you. In addition to the opportunities to develop your practice within the classroom, the school offers an extensive range of professional development support, including a bespoke package for those interested in working towards their next career step.
The English Department is comprised of 14 full-time and seven part-time teaching staff members. The Department is led by the Head of English who is supported by a Second in Department. The English team is very supportive and collaborative and works closely together to deliver an academically challenging and stimulating English curriculum to our students that represents the diverse world we live in. The team also has close links with the libraries and library staff located at each campus. English and Drama are taught throughout Key Stages 3. In Key Stage 4 all students are entered for both the AQA GCSE English and GCSE English Literature qualifications. GCSE Drama (Eduqas) is a thriving GCSE option subject.
English Literature (Edexcel) has always been a highly successful subject at Advanced level. We also offer English Language (AQA). Media Studies (OCR) is taught throughout Key Stage 5 and Theatre Studies A Level (AQA) is also a popular option choice. The Department offers Programmes of Study which continually enable students to exercise their academic and creative flair. A large number of our students choose to develop their interests in our subjects further through studying them at university.
The Department provides a full, varied and exciting programme of extra-curricular activities. These include theatre visits; a Literary Society; poetry workshops; creative writing clubs; a variety of well-supported book groups who shadow the Carnegie and the Booker and we also have regular visits from authors and poets. English, Media and Drama Week is celebrated each year with staff and students participating in highly engaging activities which culminate in the school community dressing up as characters from texts.
Application Closing Date: Tuesday 9 December 2025, 9am
Shortlist Interview Date: Tuesday 16 December 2025
Early applications are advised as the School reserves the right to appoint at any stage during the application process.
The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post. As this role involves 'regulated activity' with children the successful applicant will be required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure application. Employment will be conditional upon the College being satisfied with the result of the Enhanced DBS check and the outcome of all other checks.
The School will also carry out a check of the Children's Barred List on the successful applicant. Applicants should be aware that it is unlawful for the School to employ anyone to work with children if they are barred from doing so, and it is a criminal offence for a person to apply to work with children if they are barred from doing so.
This role is also exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the School is therefore permitted to ask shortlisted applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.
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
Please complete the online application.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
Apply for this jobUpload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Weald of Kent Grammar School
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary
- School size
- 1902 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Weald of Kent Grammar School website
- Email address
- hr@wealdgs.org
- Phone number
- 01732373500
Weald of Kent is a selective Girls’ Grammar School for 11-18 year olds with a roll of approximately 2000 students including our co-educational Sixth Form. The school is one of the highest performing schools in the country. We aspire to excel at everything we do. Owing to our continued success we were thrilled to have been given permission by the Secretary of State to expand and mirror what we deliver at our Tonbridge campus in a campus at Sevenoaks, which opened in September 2017. In addition to the exciting new facilities, we have also invested in our Tonbridge campus which now has a state-of-the-art Sports Hall and university style Sixth Form Study Centre. A new science block and new English classrooms have been built this year. Both campuses are situated in beautiful rural settings with far reaching views across the Garden of England with excellent transport links.
Arranging a visit to Weald of Kent Grammar School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email hr@wealdgs.org.
School location
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