English Teacher

We are a 11-16 academy based in the market town of Kirkby-in-Ashfield, on the eastern edge of the Erewash Valley which separates Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. We became part of the Outwood Family of Schools in 2022 and are yet to be inspected by Ofsted.

We are a welcoming and supportive academy, with a relentless determination to provide the very best education for every child. We place students at the centre of everything we do, with a focus on creating a culture of success and a positive climate for learning.

We believe that learning should be both enjoyable and enriching. With a holistic view of education, we aim to create a safe and secure learning community that encourages healthy and sustainable lifestyles and empowers students to pursue career pathways they will find stimulating and deeply rewarding.

As we continue to improve and progress, help to take us to the next level.

We work hard to ensure we reduce workload on staff, allowing more time in the classroom to put our vision of students first, raising standards and transforming lives into practice.

All academies within the Outwood Family have gained the IQM Inclusive Schools Award with 18 having Centre of Excellence status and one holding Flagship status.

About the role

We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic Teacher of English. The successful candidate will have excellent subject knowledge, a deep interest and passion for English Language and English Literature, and possess the ability to instil that same interest and enthusiasm in our students. 

The department consists of six teachers, including a primary specialist and we also employ two very experienced English 1-to-1 tutors who support our curriculum delivery. The department is a combination of experienced staff and more recent entrants to the profession, and is given strategic direction by our Head of English and an Associate Director of English. More experienced teachers will value the clear sense of purpose and organisation in the department and recently-trained colleagues will find it a rewarding place to start a career in English teaching. We will welcome full time applicants, although part-time applicants would also be considered.

As in all OGAT secondary academies, the department prepares students for Eduqas GCSE English Language and English Literature qualifications. The programme of study is fully resourced with high-quality materials produced by staff across the trust who know this specification well. We aim to make all our teachers ‘experts’ in preparing students for GCSE examinations, using our thorough and systematic methods devised over many years. We have the benefit of support from the trust’s team of expert English directors, who provide support, materials, advice, coaching and who model and team-teach in lessons alongside us to develop our expertise. 

The department has created a rich and engaging KS3 curriculum organised around literary themes which are delivered through different units which develop knowledge in reading and writing as well as increasing cultural capital. Students study a variety of literature including ‘Frankenstein’ and ‘Oliver Twist’ alongside more innovative texts such as ‘Long Way Down’ and ‘My Sister Lives On The Mantlepiece’. A wide range of poetry is embedded in all units in years 7 and 8, and in year 9 each unit links to our ‘Exploring Voices’ theme, focusing on identity and perspective. Students are also introduced and study Shakespeare in order to widen students’ literary knowledge.

In addition to the opportunity to make an important difference during the timetabled school day, there are opportunities for you to offer students the chance to experience extra-curricular activities through our enrichment programme. We invite all our teachers to develop students’ broader personal development by sharing their own skills and interests through this important part of our curriculum.

The Trust are proud to be a part of the National Institute of Teaching (NIoT). The NIoT identifies best practice in education, in order to develop cutting-edge, evidence-based teacher training and professional development programmes. All our teaching colleagues benefit from the work of the institute, which draws on the expertise of some of the most outstanding school leaders in education today.

In addition to the academy’s close partnership with the NIoT, you will benefit from weekly professional development training to ensure that you are equipped with the knowledge and skills to make a significant difference to the life chances of the students you will work with. This is an important part of our commitment to you.

 To view the full job description please click here.

To view the person specification please click here.

Outwood Grange Academies Trust is committed to ensuring that any ECTs who are joining us get the best possible introduction to joining the Outwood family. As such we will appoint any ECTs that are available to work in July from 1 July 2024, on a continuous contract, rather than from 1 September 2024. This will mean that you have the opportunity to be welcomed into the school where you will be based and gain valuable insight into the Trust's working practices prior to the start of the academic year and will be paid during the summer holidays too.

Although this is advertised as a full time position, we would consider a 0.8 contract for the right candidate.

If you share our vision, join our family.

If you have any questions, please contact Samantha wigfield, Associate Director of English by email: s.wigfield@outwood.com or Lianne Taylor, Business Manager by email: enquiries@kirkby.outwood.com

For more information and to apply online, please click the apply button.

Closing date: Midday on 12 April 2024.

Interview date: 18 April 2024.

We reserve the right to close advertisements early. Advertisements will therefore close the day the decision has been taken to close the advertisement early.

Outwood Grange Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are made in accordance with safer recruitment practices and the statutory guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education. Online checks will be carried out on all shortlisted candidates, and all appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and checks regarding suitability to work with children.