Second in Charge of English

It is an exciting time at Becket Keys Church of England School (Outstanding, 2014). We are working hard to build upon the exam successes of our founding cohorts, whilst also establishing our 6th Form into its fifth year.

The English department is well established and successful. With a new Head of Department starting in September, we want to further strengthen our team by appointing a new 2iC at the same time, to provide the opportunity for collaborative and supportive department and curriculum development. This 2iC post is a vital appointment in terms of fulfilling our vision and ambition for our inclusive school to secure and enhance positive life chances for all our students. As such, we are determined to see every student achieve well in this crucial subject, with high numbers going on to take it for A level and beyond at university. Therefore, we want to recruit a highly capable, dedicated and ambitious professional who will assist the new Head of Department in taking a lead at Key Stage 5 and driving forward our ambitions for this ‘gold plated’ facilitating subject!

We are looking to appoint an ambitious individual capable of progressing in the long term to head of department, assistant headteacher and beyond. Key attributes include a demonstrable unstoppable passion for the subject: a wide knowledge of literature, exemplary oracy and grammar and a track record of improving students’ writing. The successful candidate will be able to model outstanding teaching in the classroom to develop the practice of all staff. S/he will work alongside our expert Trust (The Russell Education Trust) who also provide training, advice and support for all. A strong academic grounding will be essential for this role.

The successful candidate will need to have the skills and experience to work with the new Head of Department, taking the lead on particular areas and providing the support and challenge that any good leader needs. It is a particularly rewarding role in this respect as the 2iC will have a strong influence over the department, but the ultimate responsibility remains with the Head of Department. It may suit someone ambitious who is early in their career and keen to start taking early steps in leadership, or a more experienced colleague – perhaps one returning from a career break, but with plenty to offer to the team. Or perhaps you are a teacher who particularly wants to work in our distinctive Church School ethos. Whatever your situation, we want to hear from you! We offer a warm and supportive staffroom culture and students who are committed to their learning and proud of their school.

If you think that you possess the qualities and passion we need for this vital role, please contact us to discuss further.

Understandably, visits to the school may be limited at present, however we are keen to ensure that you have as much information to proceed with your application as possible, so if you would like a conversation about either the school or the position, please email us at vacancies@becketkeys.org

We reserve the right to close advertisements early.

Advertisements will therefore close at 12 noon, either on the advertised closing date, or the day the decision has been taken to close the advertisement early.

Staff will be provided with a comprehensive induction programme and laptop.

Relocation packages and childcare vouchers are available.

On-site childcare is available at a discounted rate for staff members.

Staff of the school benefit from priority admission for their children. Our admissions policy effectively guarantees staff a place in the school for their children. With nearly 800 applications for our 150 places each year, this is a significant perk!

To Apply

Please complete both our application form and equalities monitoring form and email it with a personal statement to vacancies@becketkeys.org

Closing date: Noon, Friday 7 May 2021.

Becket Keys is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.

The appointee will be committed to our high expectations and supportive of our core Christian values. However, we welcome applications from teachers irrespective of their faith or lack of it.  All we ask is that all applicants appreciate and respect the beliefs of others and have strong moral principles.