Second in English

Start Date: Between September 2026 and January 2027

Job Weeks: All Year Round

Hours: 32.5 hours per week

Type: Permanent, Full Time

Job Reference: MAY

Salary: Qualified Teachers Pay Scales:
Main Pay Scale (MPS) to Upper Pay Scale (UPS) and TLR2 of £6,000 per annum

Start Date: Between September 2026 and January 2027 (Please indicate your earliest possible start date in the application.)

Hethersett Academy is seeking to appoint an outstanding Second in Department for English.

We are looking for an exceptional classroom practitioner with a proven track record of excellence outcomes and someone who has had a clear impact at a subject level. The successful candidate will demonstrate the drive and commitment to go above and beyond for our pupils to ensure the succeed. In this role, you will be able to engage with our raising achievement strategy to ensure English outcomes at the school are significantly better than national benchmarks.

This key role will give you the opportunity to collaborate with senior leaders and the subject team on curriculum approaches, embedding effective pedagogical approaches and driving standards in English. Through collaboration with the wider Inspiration Trust English team, you will ensure the delivery of our exceptional knowledge rich curriculum.

• Assist the Head of Department with the development of new ways of thinking about the curriculum and teaching and learning to develop student expertise in the subject.
• Be a role model to the department and beyond.
• Ensure that our high standards are applied consistently across the Academy Team in terms of the smooth day-to-day running of the Academy.
• Assist in curriculum planning, sequencing, and assessment to maximise pupil progress.
• Maintain professional conduct and actively engage in performance management and professional development activities.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues, external agencies, and the Senior Leadership Team.
• Participate in meetings, quality assurance processes, and school events outside normal hours.
• Teach the curriculum, prepare pupils for examinations, and provide additional support such as interventions and revision lessons.
• Plan collaboratively, set homework, adapt teaching for SEND/EAL students, and maintain high standards of pupil work.
• Assess pupil progress, evaluate teaching approaches, and provide reports and references to support pupil development.
• Actively contribute to school life, including enrichment activities and departmental discussions on teaching methods.

The successful candidate must have a commitment to changing lives and outcomes for young people. You will be someone with excellent communication and interpersonal skills to motivate staff and students. You will also be collaborative, empathetic, and have a deep passion for the subject matter. You should come with an existing track record of effectiveness but be keen to develop further as a member of the wider leadership team.

• An appropriate degree and other qualifications required for the award of QTS.
• Qualified Teacher Status (trainees should be on track to achieve QTS before taking up the post).
• Successful subject experience as a teacher and manager in education in a secondary school.
• Successful involvement in performance management, self-evaluation process and data analysis as an aid in personal and team improvement, development and change.
• Proven practice in leading, motivating and supporting staff to achieve high standards.
• Knowledge of the statutory requirements concerning Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety, SEND and Child Protection.
• Ability to communicate effectively and build positive relationships with students, parents, colleagues, and the wider community.
• Evidence of effective design and implementation of initiatives for raising student attainment and improving the quality of teaching and learning strategies.
• Successful experience in leading and managing pedagogic changes at department level.

At Inspiration Trust, we believe in the power of education to transform lives. You’ll be joining a supportive, forward-thinking organisation that values professional development, collaboration,…