Head of English & Literacy

Head of English & Literacy

The Abbey School, Weydon Multi Academy Trust

Start date: January 2025 (or sooner)

Salary: Surrey Fringe MPS/UPS plus TLR 2B and SEN allowance

Location: Farnham, Surrey

Interview: To take place upon suitable application

"Together we can"

The Abbey School, part of Weydon Multi Academy Trust, is an Outstanding specialist school with just over 100 places for students aged 11-16 years old with moderate learning difficulties and additional needs. The school take students from a range of local authorities, including; Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire and London Boroughs.

The school has fit for purpose accommodation which is maintained to a high standard and is currently undergoing huge investment as they expand from a 2 to 3 form entry school to support Surrey County Council’s SEND Sufficiency Strategy.

A passionate and talented teacher is required to lead English and Literacy within the school.

The position welcomes applicants from special education as well as those transitioning from either a primary or secondary mainstream background with a passion for working with students who have special educational needs.

As Head of English and Literacy, you will have the opportunity to work within a supportive and collaborative team who strive to cultivate a calm, purposeful and inclusive environment rooted in mutual respect and positive relationships. Experience within phonics would be preferable, although not essential.

You will be responsible for:

Teaching and Learning:

• Evaluate and implement the curriculum to ensure students experience the full breadth of the subject and are able to make progress;
• Lead the development of whole school literacy with demonstrable impact across the curriculum;
• Oversee the provision and delivery of whole school reading;
• Monitor the progress made in achieving subject plans and targets, evaluate the effects of teaching and learning, and use this to guide further improvement;
• Establish provision of structured schemes of work, ensuring curriculum coverage, continuity and progression in the subject for all pupils;
• Provide guidance on the choice of appropriate evidence-informed teaching and learning methods to meet the needs of the subject and of different pupils;
• Establish and implement clear policies and practices for assessing, recording and reporting on pupils’ achievement, and for using this information to recognise achievement and to assist pupils in setting targets for further improvement;
• Evaluate progress and achievement in the subject by all pupils;
• Systematically monitor the quality of teaching through observation of lessons and adherence to the School’s monitoring systems, and act to improve further the quality of teaching through professional debate based on good practice.

Management of People:

• Establish clear expectations and constructive working relationships among staff involved with the subject through team working and mutual support; devolving responsibilities and delegating tasks, as appropriate; evaluating practice; and developing an acceptance of accountability;
• Audit training needs of staff;
• Lead professional development of subject staff through example, coaching and support and coordinate the provision of high-quality professional development, drawing in other sources of expertise as necessary;
• Assist colleagues to achieve expertise in their subject teaching and to meet targets; • Work with the SENCO to ensure curriculum implementation is inclusive, allowing all students to thrive and make progress;
• Ensure you operate as a role model through meeting deadlines and modelling best practice.

What The Abbey can offer:

• Amazing students who want to learn
• A brand new, state of the art, English classroom
• Excellent IT facilities in a modern school fit for 21st century teaching
• A range of CPD opportunities to support professional development inside and outside the classroom
• A range of evidence-informed strategies to support teaching and learning inside the classroom
• A consistent approach to behaviour which ensures learning is not disrupted
• A welcoming and supportive staff community
• Opportunities to collaborate across a range of mainstream and specialist provision schools within the Weydon MAT
• External leadership/NPQ opportunities, including supporting masters’ applications and aspiring senior leader’s development programme
• On site car parking
• Westfield Health Cash Plan

The Abbey School encourages interested candidates to visit and see what a wonderful place they are to learn and work within.

To arrange your visit please contact our Recruitment Partner, Cuthbert Colvill.