Assistant Principal: English & Whole-School Literacy

Ernulf Academy; St. Neots; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A forward-thinking educational institution in St. Neots, UK, is seeking an Assistant Principal for English & Whole-School Literacy. This role involves leading the English department, driving improvements in literacy, and ensuring high academic standards across the school. The ideal candidate will have proven educational leadership experience and a passion for fostering a positive learning environment. Benefits include competitive pay above national scales, extensive professional development opportunities, and a supportive work culture focused on educational excellence.

Benefits

Pay above national scales

8 INSET days per year

Access to AXA's 24/7 health support

Cycle to Work Scheme

Access to the Blue Light Card and Costco membership

Enhanced family leave

Financial contribution to optical care

Life assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounted gym membership

Access to the Teachers' Pension Scheme

Continued professional development opportunities

Free on-site parking

Qualifications

• Experience in an educational leadership role focused on English.
• Proven track record of improving educational outcomes.
• Ability to foster a positive learning environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the English team to enhance teaching and learning.
• Ensure high standards of English teaching and student attainment.
• Drive initiatives to improve literacy across the school.

Skills

Leadership

Curriculum planning

Strategic management

Pedagogical expertise

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

Relevant postgraduate qualification

Job description

As the Assistant Principal: English & Whole-School Literacy, you will sit on SLT and work with the leadership team to shape the future direction of the school. You will raise standards and attainment in English and across the school, helping to ensure excellence in every classroom. You will play a visible role in all areas of school improvement to drive academic outcomes and foster a scholarly culture whilst being respected by staff as someone who upholds the highest of standards and works hard. This role is suitable for anyone who has a track record of delivering excellent departmental outcomes in English.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage members of the subject team in a manner that promotes highly effective pedagogy and children’s learning.
• Be accountable for the planning of appropriate curriculum materials and resourcing to support excellent progression for all students.
• Lead departmental 'intellectual preparation' sessions.
• Provide leadership to the English teams and the wider school.
• Address areas of concern if and when they arise.
• Lead the whole-school Astrea Reads programme.
• Lead and co‑coordinate reading interventions such as Thinking Reading and Fresh Start.

Accountable for

• Ensuring excellent practice in English classrooms.
• Securing excellent outcomes in English.
• Leading the English department effectively.
• Ensuring no children read below their chronological reading level by the end of Y8.

Why Join Us?

This is a fantastic time to join TEAM ERNULF on our turnaround journey. We are on a RAPID MISSION to turn our school into one of the BEST in the country! When the current leadership took over, in September 2024, Ernulf had NEVER received an Ofsted 'Good' in ANY category. In January 2025, after just one term, Ofsted rated us 'Good' in ALL categories. If our rapid improvement and ambition EXCITE you, then join us to disrupt disadvantage by transforming the education of our pupils. We are within an hour's commute of North London, Norfolk, Grantham and Rugby. We believe in keeping things simple. Our mantra is: WORK HARD, BE KIND. We don't just want children to attain incredible academic outcomes; we also want to help them become great people. It is the biggest factor in a child's achievement is how hard they work. That is why we have sky high expectations. We have simple rules, centralised detentions, and we back our teachers - so that our classrooms are disruption‑free. A knowledge-rich curriculum, built on 'powerful knowledge', underpins our teaching and learning principles. We offer a traditional approach to teaching, following evidence-based research by Rosenshine. Our pedagogy is influenced by Teach Like A Champion (TLAC). Stimulating lessons are delivered by teachers, who we back as the expert in the room. Ernulf Academy is building a team of exceptional and highly skilled leaders, committed to driving excellence and improvement in our school. Last year, we improved results by over 10% in multiple metrics, and we’re on a mission to do it again this year! Team Ernulf is WWF: warm, welcoming, and friendly. We pride ourselves on having a family atmosphere. We teach our pupils empathy and respect and have zero tolerance to bullying. A scholarly approach is at our core, but teaching pupils to be polite, considerate, and caring is just as important. Our world-class enrichment programme takes learning beyond the classroom. In Autumn term 2024 alone, children visited Cambridge University, The British Museum, The National Gallery, RAF Hendon, Kenilworth Castle, and were on Channel 5 and BBC radio! As well as this, every week KS3 children have the opportunity to take part in electives such as British sign language, clubbercise, building a robotic arm, chess, girls cricket, and many more!

What We Offer

• A knowledge-rich curriculum, built on 'powerful knowledge' and a traditional teaching and learning approach inspired by Rosenshine and TLAC.
• Collaborative planning with centralised, shared units of work and resources.
• Disruption-free learning and a warm/strict behaviour system, including centralised detentions. We back our teachers!
• Pay above the national scales!
• 8 INSET days per year!
• Whole-class feedback over marking to reduce workload and increase impact!
• Health support: Access to AXA's 24/7 health support line for medical advice.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Salary sacrifice deduction for bicycles and cycling accessories.
• Discounts and savings: Access to the Blue Light Card and Costco membership.
• Enhanced family leave: Paid leave to support our people when they need it the most.
• Optical care: Financial contribution to optical care for habitual DSE users.
• Life assurance: Peace of mind for our people and their families.
• Employee support: Access to our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Discounted gym membership: Available at The Gym Group with 245 locations nationwide.
• Pension scheme: Access to the Teachers' Pension Scheme.
• Professional development: Continued professional development and training opportunities.
• Convenience: Free on-site parking.