English Lead

Kedleston Group; High Peak; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellbeing programmes

Cycle to Work scheme

Generous life cover

Employee discounts

Job summary

High Peak School is seeking an experienced English Lead to oversee the English department and drive a whole-school reading strategy across KS2–KS4. You will line manage teachers, shape the English curriculum, and strengthen outcomes for pupils within a specialist SEN setting.

The role includes leading a team to develop engaging, ambitious learning experiences, build confidence in readers and support progression through KS4 qualifications. A strong English subject knowledge base is essential.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience of teaching English with secure curriculum knowledge.
• Ability to lead and develop reading provision and contribute to strategic development of English across KS2–KS4.
• Strong communication, organisational and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues and the wider school community.

Responsibilities

• Lead reading across the school: develop a whole-school approach to reading and raise pupil engagement and achievement.
• Drive English curriculum development across KS2–KS4 with progression and ambition.
• Champion high-quality teaching by modelling effective practices and supporting colleagues to improve classroom practice.
• Raise standards using assessment data to identify priorities and close gaps in learning.

Skills

English leadership

Reading development

Curriculum knowledge

Team leadership

English pedagogy

Education

QTS

Job description

Take the Lead in English and Reading

Are you an experienced English teacher ready to take the next step in your career? Do you have a passion for reading, a strong understanding of the English curriculum and the ambition to make a difference across an entire school?

High Peak School is seeking an inspiring and knowledgeable English Lead to lead our English department, line manage English teachers and drive forward the development of reading across the school, from KS2 to KS4.

This is an exciting opportunity to combine your passion for excellent English teaching with meaningful leadership responsibility. With a

Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) allowance of £3,651, in addition to your salary and SEN allowance, you will be recognised for the important role you play in developing colleagues, strengthening curriculum provision and improving outcomes for our pupils.

You will have the opportunity to shape a whole-school approach to reading, develop an engaging and ambitious English curriculum, and support a team of teachers to deliver high-quality learning experiences. Working within our nurturing specialist setting, you will help pupils overcome barriers to learning, build confidence and discover the opportunities that strong literacy skills can unlock.

If you are ready to use your English expertise to lead a team, influence school improvement and make a lasting difference to young people’s lives, we would love to hear from you.

About High Peak School

High Peak School is a specialist independent school for children and young people aged 7–16, many of whom have Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), ADHD and other additional needs.

We are an ambitious, nurturing school where positive relationships, individualised support and high expectations are central to everything we do. Our expanding RAISE pathway supports pupils returning to education following emotionally based school non-attendance (EBSNA), creating exciting opportunities to develop innovative approaches to engagement, learning and personal growth.

Set within 20 acres of beautiful Derbyshire countryside, our school provides a distinctive environment in which pupils can feel safe, develop confidence and achieve their potential. With approximately 90 pupils currently on roll and plans to grow to 110, we are continuing to develop our provision and strengthen opportunities for our pupils.

We are proud to be part of the Kedleston Group, a respected provider of specialist education with 14 schools across the country. High Peak School has achieved a

Good Ofsted rating across its last three inspections, reflecting our ongoing commitment to providing high-quality education and care.

The Role: Leading English and Reading Across the School

As English Lead, you will provide subject leadership for English, with a particular emphasis on developing a consistent, engaging and ambitious approach to reading across the school. You will combine your expertise as an experienced English teacher with the opportunity to influence curriculum, teaching practice and pupil outcomes from KS2 through to KS4.

You will help ensure that reading is at the heart of learning, supporting pupils to develop their fluency, comprehension, vocabulary and confidence as readers. You will also lead the development of the wider English curriculum, ensuring that teaching is purposeful, appropriately challenging and responsive to the needs of our pupils.

This role would suit an experienced English specialist who is passionate about their subject and ready to make a wider impact beyond their own classroom. Experience of the KS2 curriculum would be beneficial, but

strong English subject knowledge and experience are essential; prior KS2 teaching experience is not required.

Key responsibilities

• Lead reading across the school: Develop and embed a whole-school approach to reading, promoting a positive reading culture and improving pupils’ engagement, confidence and achievement.
• Drive English curriculum development: Lead the planning, review and development of English provision across KS2–KS4, ensuring appropriate progression, breadth and ambition.
• Champion high-quality teaching: Model and promote effective English teaching strategies, sharing expertise and supporting colleagues to strengthen classroom practice.
• Raise standards and improve outcomes: Use assessment information and pupil progress data to identify priorities, address gaps in learning and ensure pupils make sustained progress.
• Develop inclusive approaches: Ensure that English and reading provision is accessible, engaging and appropriately adapted for pupils with ASC, ADHD, additional learning needs and barriers to school attendance.
• Inspire pupils through English: Teach engaging, well-structured lessons that develop pupils’ reading, writing, speaking and listening skills, while building confidence and a love of language and literature.
• Support progression and accreditation: Contribute to appropriate pathways and qualifications at KS4, including Entry Level and Functional Skills where relevant.
• Work collaboratively: Build strong relationships with teachers, support staff, families and external professionals to improve outcomes for pupils.
• Contribute to school improvement: Play an active role in wider curriculum development, professional learning and the continued development of High Peak School.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for an experienced English specialist who can bring subject expertise, leadership potential and a genuine passion for helping young people succeed.

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• Substantial experience of teaching English, with a secure understanding of the English curriculum and effective teaching and assessment practices.
• Strong subject knowledge across English, including reading, writing, comprehension, vocabulary and language development.
• The ability to lead and develop reading provision and contribute to the strategic development of English across KS2–KS4.
• A commitment to high-quality teaching, curriculum progression and improving outcomes for pupils with a wide range of starting points and learning needs.
• The ability to adapt teaching and curriculum approaches to engage pupils with SEND and remove barriers to learning.
• Strong communication, organisational and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues and the wider school community.
• High expectations, resilience, flexibility and a commitment to inclusion, compassion and the achievement of every pupil.

Desirable experience and qualifications

• Experience of teaching English at KS4, including Entry Level and Functional Skills qualifications.
• Experience of teaching or working with the KS2 curriculum.
• Experience of leading a subject, developing a curriculum or supporting colleagues to improve teaching practice.
• Experience of working in a specialist SEND setting or supporting pupils with ASC, ADHD and other additional needs.
• A relevant qualification in SEND education or additional professional development in inclusive practice.

Most importantly, you will be an enthusiastic and reflective practitioner who understands the power of reading to unlock learning, build confidence and broaden opportunities. You will be motivated to share your expertise, develop others and help create a school where every pupil can experience success.

Why Join High Peak School?

At High Peak School, your work will have purpose. You will have the opportunity to shape an important area of school improvement, influence learning across the school and make a tangible difference to the educational experiences and futures of our pupils.

As part of the Kedleston Group, you will benefit from a supportive professional environment, opportunities to develop your career and access to a wider network of specialist education colleagues.

We offer:

• Salary on the Main Pay Scale to Upper Pay Scale (MPS–UPS).
• Extensive, high-quality continuing professional development (CPD).
• Opportunities for career development and progression within a growing national group of specialist schools.
• A supportive, collaborative team committed to achieving the best outcomes for pupils.
• Access to employee discount and wellbeing schemes.
• A beautiful rural setting with over 20 acres of grounds and opportunities for outdoor learning.
• The opportunity to shape reading and English provision and make a lasting difference to young people’s lives.

Our benefits package includes

• Health and wellbeing programmes, including a free, confidential 24/7 helpline and counselling service.
• Retail, travel and leisure discounts through our employee benefits platform.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Generous life cover.

Make a Difference Through English

If you are an experienced English teacher who wants to use your subject expertise to inspire readers, develop an ambitious English curriculum and improve outcomes for young people, we would love to hear from you.

Join High Peak School and help us ensure that every pupil has the opportunity to become a confident reader, a capable communicator and a successful learner.

Kedleston Group Limited is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its children and young people, and we expect all staff to share this commitment. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. You will be expected to engage in annual safeguarding training, be familiar with key policies, and ensure you know the steps to take should you be made aware of safeguarding or child protection concern. You will

remain vigilant and act swiftly if you have concerns about a child and always be an appropriate role model for both children and colleagues.

The successful candidate is required to provide references and will be expected to undertake an enhanced DBS check. We will ask you to complete a criminal self-declaration form, and we will conduct online searches for information that is publicly available. We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.