Assistant Principal - English

The Hyndburn Academy; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

More pay and support

Extra INSET days

Personal leave day

Flexible working

Health cash plan

Wellbeing programmes

Job summary

The Hyndburn Academy invites applications for an Assistant Principal to lead English across the school. This senior role sits on the school’s leadership team and requires a track record of securing excellent English outcomes and impactful departmental leadership.

You will drive strategic priorities for Reading, Literacy, and attainment, work with the SLT to shape the academy’s plan, and support staff development while maintaining a strong focus on safeguarding and pupil welfare.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership of English or a department with strong outcomes.
• Experience delivering high-quality lessons and ensuring safeguarding.
• Strategic planning and school-wide Quality of Education improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the English Department and raise attainment across all year groups.
• Collaborate with SLT to develop strategic plans for literacy, reading and handwriting.
• Support wider whole-school priorities and contribute to safeguarding and staff development.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Behaviour management

Strategic thinking

Education

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Job description

This role requires a dynamic educator who can deliver engaging and innovative lessons to inspire pupils of all abilities and create a positive and inclusive classroom environment. The successful candidate will be committed to bringing out ‘the best in everyone’, enabling all students to achieve their full potential. The role will also involve contributing to the ongoing development of the department and the wider school community. We are looking for a collaborative professional who is dedicated to high standards of teaching and learning and who will play an active part in the continued success of the school.

This is an exciting opportunity to join not only a thriving school but also a very high performing Trust with a national profile. You will benefit from working as part of a dynamic, forward-thinking SLT and benefit from a wealth of support from the United Learning Trust subject association.

We are seeking to appoint an Assistant Principal to join the senior leadership team at The Hyndburn Academy, with strategic responsibility for English across the school. This is a key leadership role, suited to an outstanding practitioner with a strong track record of securing excellent outcomes in English and demonstrating impactful leadership in their current role. The successful candidate will lead the English Department while also contributing to wider whole‑school Quality of Education priorities.

This role would suit an ambitious leader who is passionate about improving outcomes for students and who is keen to develop their leadership skills through broader senior responsibilities. You will be a confident and reflective leader, never complacent, constantly evaluating what is working and where further refinement or change is needed. Commitment, strategic thinking, and the ability to translate ideas into sustained impact will be essential for success.

The English department at The Hyndburn Academy is a strong and committed team, supported by effective leadership, including a Head of Department, Second in Department and a TLR holder with responsibility for Reading and Literacy. As Assistant Principal, you will lead a team dedicated to improving life chances for our students through raising academic achievement.

As a senior leader, you will be a visible and influential presence across the academy, building positive relationships with staff, students, and wider stakeholders. You will lead with confidence and integrity, demonstrating a clear belief in the power of education to transform lives. With high expectations for achievement, character, and conduct, you will lead by example, inspire colleagues, and support them to deliver excellence for every student.

Specific Areas of responsibility for the Assistant Principal for English:

This will be a key role in the strategic leadership of our academy in the relentless pursuit of our ambition to become an outstanding academy.

The strategic leadership of Handwriting, Literacy, Reading and attainment across all year groups

To work with the SLT in developing the strategic plan for the development of resilient and independent learners at the academy.

We offer excellent opportunities for professional development and career progression within a supportive and collaborative environment.

You will be an experienced teacher with Qualified Teacher Status, who consistently delivers good to outstanding lessons, or an early career teacher with the potential to be an exceptional practitioner. You will have strong interpersonal skills, sound behaviour management skills and have the highest expectations for what our pupils can achieve. Above all, you will be committed to helping every child fulfil their potential and to bringing out ‘the best in everyone’ and playing an active role in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all pupils.

The Hyndburn Academy is part of United Learning, a growing group of schools whose aim is to provide excellent education to children and young people across the country. We are committed to ensuring our employees feel valued, supported and rewarded. As part of United Learning, we offer opportunities and a benefits package beyond that of an individual school.

Benefits

• We’re proud to offer ‘more pay, more time, and more support’.
• We offer the best pay in the sector.
• Three extra INSET days dedicated to planning and professional development.
• One paid personal leave day each year during term time.
• Every employee benefits from a supportive annual review process with a tailored programme of personal development.
• We also facilitate a wide range of professional networks, enabling colleagues to collaborate, share best practice and learn from colleagues in similar roles.
• Flexible working is available where roles allow.
• Enhanced parental leave.
• Access to a health cash plan (following 6 months’ service).
• Employee assistance and wellbeing programmes.
• Free flu vaccines.

We are committed to supporting your wellbeing. Flexible working is available where roles allow, alongside a comprehensive range of benefits including enhanced parental leave, access to a health cash plan (following 6 months’ service) employee assistance and wellbeing programmes, and free flu vaccines. Further information about our rewards and benefits can be found at - www.unitedlearning.org.uk/careers/rewards-and-benefits.

If you enjoy a varied role and take pride in making a difference, we’d love to hear from you!

If you would like to arrange an informal conversation or visit the school, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please get in touch using the details below.