Curriculum Lead of Religious Education

Netherwood Academy; Barnsley; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established educational institution is seeking a passionate Curriculum Leader of Religious Education. This role offers the chance to make a significant impact on students' lives, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The ideal candidate will drive excellence in teaching and learning while fostering a collaborative environment among staff. With a commitment to a knowledge-rich curriculum and minimal bureaucracy, this position promises professional growth and the opportunity to inspire future generations. Join a forward-thinking team dedicated to creating a positive and inclusive educational culture.

Benefits

Extensive support and progression opportunities

Collaborative planning resources

Ongoing CPD and career development

Centralised detentions and support

No onerous marking policies

Opportunity to complete NPQs

Qualifications

• Proven track record of strong student outcomes and effective teaching.
• Ability to inspire and develop colleagues towards excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Religious Education curriculum and support departmental colleagues.
• Mentor and coach staff to achieve high standards in teaching.

Skills

Classroom Management

Curriculum Development

Mentoring and Coaching

Knowledge of Cognitive Science

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

Degree in Education or Related Field

Tools

Assessment Tools

Learning Management Systems

Job description

Curriculum Leader of Religious Education – Netherwood Academy

Are you passionate about making a lasting impact on students, especially those who are disadvantaged, and accelerating their progress? Do you want to work in a school where you can teach freely, with impeccable student behaviour and minimal bureaucracy?

Netherwood Academy, part of the Astrea Academy Trust, is an 11-16 academy that opened in September 2012, set in an extensive £35 million campus. We are currently in an exciting period of development and are looking for a dedicated Curriculum Leader to join our team.

Role Overview:As Curriculum Leader, you will excel in the classroom and play a crucial role in supporting your departmental colleagues to be their best. You will be involved in mentoring, coaching, professional development, and challenging your team to achieve excellence.

Ideal Candidate:The ideal candidate will be an experienced and outstanding classroom practitioner with a track record of strong outcomes. You will be a beacon of excellent practice in the classroom and possess the intellectual and professional credibility to drive up standards across the department.

Our Commitment:At Netherwood Academy, we are committed to a knowledge-rich curriculum and a traditional approach to teaching, behaviour, and culture. We believe in teaching powerful knowledge, ‘the best that has been thought and said,’ and providing an ‘entitlement curriculum’ for all. Our approach is greatly influenced by Lemov’s ‘Teach Like A Champion,’ Rosenshine’s principles, and recent developments in cognitive science. We aim to create a scholarly culture that is warm, strict, disciplined, and joyful, ensuring impeccable behaviour so that teachers can focus on teaching and pupils can focus on learning.

Values and Vision:We are values-driven and our vision is to provide an inclusive, aspirational, and academic education for all our students, enabling them to learn, thrive, and lead successful lives. We are unapologetically ambitious for every child, regardless of their background, prior attainment, or needs. We strive to ensure that all students have the option to attend university or pursue aspirational alternatives. We do not lower expectations due to a child’s background or home life; instead, we redouble our efforts to help them overcome barriers and flourish.

Staff Support:We value our staff highly and take workload seriously. Our systems are designed to be high leverage, allowing you to focus on your core purpose – teaching – in a sustainable way, free from bureaucracy or poor behaviour.

What We Offer:

• Extensive support and progression opportunities
• A knowledge-rich curriculum built on ‘powerful knowledge’ and traditional teaching methods
• Collaborative planning with centralised, shared units of work and resources
• Excellent support from the Astrea Trust Central team
• A feedback policy focused on whole class feedback – no onerous marking policies
• Disruption-free learning and a ‘warm/strict’ behaviour system
• Highly visible and supportive senior leaders
• Centralised detentions, including homework detentions
• No formal graded lesson observations – just ongoing ‘no-stakes’ instructional coaching
• Excellent ongoing CPD, career development, and promotion opportunities across the Astrea South Yorkshire region
• Opportunity to complete NPQs
• An unrivalled professional progression model

What We Are Looking For:

• A highly effective professional who can motivate and encourage colleagues to share our vision
• Aligned with our values and mission, and someone who will thrive in our culture
• Passionate about the belief that all children can achieve, regardless of their starting point, background, or needs

Interested in Applying?If you are interested in this role, looking for a new challenge, and have a passion for education, please refer to the Applicant Brief for more details on how to apply. We actively welcome visits and would be delighted to show you around our academy to fully appreciate our excellent learning environment.

Closing Date:The closing date for all applications is midnight on 14 May 2025. Interview date is the 19 May 2025.

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 enhanced DBS checks. We value diversity and encourage applications from underrepresented groups, including 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.

Ready to Make a Difference?Take the next step in your career and join our forward-thinking team. Apply today and be part of our mission to create a positive impact!