Lead Teacher

Job . ECC Position Type:
Teacher Pay Range:
Teachers Main 1-6 (depending on experience) + TLR

Position

Start Date:

Immediate Contract Type:
Full-time Contract Term:
Permanent

Application Close: 02/02/2026 Midnight Date of Interviews: W/C 09/02/2026

Salary: Teachers Main Scale Point 1 - 6, depending on experience + TLR. Please be aware that Catalyst Academy Trust awarded our Teachers a 5% pay‑rise from September 2025; this was an additional 1% pay increase on top of the National 4% pay increase.

Within Pay range: M1 £ 34,729 – M6 £ 47,289 (with 5% increase) + TLR allowance on top of this

Location: Somers Heath Primary School, South Ockendon Essex

We are currently looking for an exceptional Lead Class Teacher to join our middle leadership team at Catalyst Academy Trust. The position is based at Somers Heath Primary School, part of Catalyst Academies Trust, a small, local trust and one of the highest performing in the country.

The Lead Teacher will develop as a middle leader and take the next step by leading a year group. Working with other members of the middle leadership team, the Lead Teacher will be responsible for raising standards, mentoring students, planning with the Trust and supporting early‑career teachers, helping establish a culture that is nurturing and rigorous.

• Experience in leading
• Proven impact on student progress, raising attainment, and developing excellence
• Full commitment to the Catalyst Academy ethos of high expectations
• Strong personal drive and sound knowledge of the primary curriculum

• Well‑behaved children who are keen to learn and achieve their full potential
• Excellent professional development and opportunities for career development within the trust (many senior leaders in the trust have gained promotion within the trust)
• A hardworking team committed to providing outstanding education to all children, regardless of background or needs
• Retention bonuses paid every year
• Access to the “Catalyst Employee Perks” platform offering discounts from supermarkets, retailers, family days out, restaurants, and more
• £1,000 Catalyst welcome payment for successful candidates (teachers paid on Main Scale only) if appointed through a direct application (payment allocated 6 months after you have been in post)

A £1,000 Catalyst welcome payment for successful candidates (teachers paid on Main Scale only) if you are appointed through a direct application to a Catalyst school (i.e. avoiding agency costs). This payment is allocated 6 months after you have been in post.

Closing Date: 02/02/2026 – Midnight Interviews: w/c09/02/2026

Please note that should we receive sufficient applications, we reserve the right to close the vacancy early.

Informal visits are warmly welcomed. Contact Martin Curtis on or email  to arrange a visit.

Visits to the school are encouraged and warmly welcomed. You are also invited to have an informal, confidential discussion with Martin Curtis, our Headteacher, about this vacancy.

Contact our school office on or  to arrange a visit.

We are proud of our children and our facilities and confident that you will want to work here.

This is an exciting time to join our school. We have amazing children, a great team, excellent facilities and spacious classrooms.

Our collaboration with other schools within Catalyst Academies Trust supports teachers and we hope you would like to be part of our aim to provide outstanding education for all children.

Somers Heath is situated close to the M25 and A13 road links, near The Dartford Crossing and Lakeside Shopping Centre.

Catalyst Academies Trust is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the well‑being of children and young people.

We expect all our staff to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS, medical check, references, and a ‘Disqualification by Association’ declaration. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.

Martin Curtis
Somers Heath Primary School
Foyle Drive, South Ockendon
Essex, RM15 5LX

Telephone:
Email:

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