Assistant Principal - Director of English & Whole-School Literacy

TES FE News; St. Neots; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in the UK is seeking an Assistant Principal: Director of English to join its Senior Leadership Team. This vital role involves leading the English department, driving curriculum excellence, and implementing successful literacy programs for students. Candidates should have proven leadership experience in education and a passion for teaching excellence. Competitive salary and a supportive work environment are offered.

Benefits

Pay above national scales

Collaborative planning

8 INSET days per year

Qualifications

• Experience in a leadership role within an Educational Institution.
• Track record of promoting high standards in teaching and learning.
• Ability to inspire and motivate staff and students.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire the English department.
• Oversee curriculum planning and progression.
• Drive reading intervention programs.

Skills

Leadership

Curriculum Development

Teaching Excellence

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

Job description

Job Overview

Join Ernulf Academy – On a mission to be one of the best schools in the country! Ernulf Academy are looking for a passionate, driven Assistant Principal: Director of English & Whole School Literacy to join our Senior Leadership Team. At Ernulf, you’ll lead a talented English team, drive curriculum excellence, and champion whole-school literacy. You’ll play a pivotal role in our mission to deliver exceptional outcomes for every student—combining strategic influence with hands-on classroom practice.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and inspire the English department, promoting outstanding teaching and learning.
• Oversee curriculum planning, resourcing, and progression for all students.
• Drive the Astrea Reads programme and targeted reading interventions.
• Ensure every student reads at or above their chronological age by the end of Year 8.
• Contribute to whole-school improvement and sit on the Senior Leadership Team.

Why Ernulf Academy?

We’re rewriting our story. In January 2025, we achieved our first ever ‘Good’ Ofsted rating—and we’re not stopping there. Located within easy reach of North London, Norfolk, Grantham, and Rugby, Ernulf is a school where ambition, simplicity, and kindness drive everything we do.

Our Ethos

Work Hard: High expectations, disruption-free classrooms, and a knowledge-rich curriculum delivered through evidence-based teaching.

Be Kind: Warm, welcoming, and inclusive. We teach empathy and respect, with strong pastoral care and zero tolerance for bullying.

World-Class Enrichment: Our students enjoy trips to top universities, museums, and cultural sites, plus a wide range of electives—from robotics to British Sign Language.

What We Offer

• Collaborative planning and centralised resources
• Disruption-free learning and a warm/strict behaviour system
• Pay above national scales and 8 INSET days per year
• Whole-class feedback to reduce workload and increase impact

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you’re excited by rapid school improvement and want to be a key player in our success, we want to hear from you. For more details or to arrange a visit, contact Sarah McCormick at [e-mail].

We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications—so don’t delay, apply today!

Commitment To Safeguarding And EDI

Astrea Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All posts are subject to satisfactory background checks, including references and enhanced DBS checks. We value diversity and encourage applications from candidates who are underrepresented in our workforce, including people from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQI+ communities. As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to promoting a culture that ensures there are no barriers to the recruitment, development, and progression of disabled staff across the trust. We provide reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process to ensure disabled job applicants have the best opportunity to demonstrate their abilities.

Flexible Interview Dates

Please note that interview dates are flexible, and the academy reserves the right to interview shortlisted candidates during the application window.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you\'re ready to take the next step in your career and contribute to our dynamic and forward-thinking team, apply today and be a part of our mission to create a positive impact!