Head of English

Oldham Council; Oldham; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local educational authority in Oldham is looking for a passionate Head of English to lead innovative educational experiences for students with social, emotional, and mental health needs. This permanent role offers a competitive salary on the Teachers' Pay Scale, plus an additional TLR2 and SEN allowance. The successful candidate will help students achieve strong outcomes and develop vital life skills while fostering an empathetic learning environment. Applications are welcomed from individuals committed to safeguarding and supporting vulnerable students.

Benefits

Supportive working environment

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in planning English courses.
• Strength in helping students with negative past experiences in English.
• Capability to support literacy development in older students.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate inclusive education in an SEMH setting.
• Support students' emotional and psychological needs.
• Collaborate as part of a team to enhance student learning.

Skills

Experience planning and developing courses in English

Understanding of Phonics

Nurturing approach to behaviour management

Ability to support SEMH students

Experience with secondary school students

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

Job description

Ref: 001162

The Trustees are looking to recruit to the post of Head of English

The Springboard Project, Oldham Town Centre

Teachers’ Pay Scale, with TLR2 (£3,527 per annum)

SEN Allowance £2,787 per annum

Part of the New Bridge Multi Academy Trust, The Springboard Project, based in Oldham town centre, provides high quality, innovative alternative educational experiences for pupils and students with SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health difficulties) across the 14-19 age range.

Here at the Project, we believe passionately in supporting our students to achieve their very best outcomes and overcome their barriers to learning. Our provision is set up to provide high quality, innovative educational provision for 14-19-year olds with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. Our aim is to meet the needs of our young people where they are, supporting them to gain the skills, knowledge and experience necessary to go into fulfilling life beyond education. It is our ambitious goal to support every one of our students into employment, further education or training once they leave us at 19.

We promise to ensure all our students have the opportunity to :

• Gain a minimum of 4 Level 2 (GCSE or equivalent) qualifications, including Maths and English
• Gain a vocational qualification in a pathway of their choice
• Develop employability and life skills, including recognised qualifications
• Have real, meaningful work experiences, including being allocated a career coach, who will stay with them post‑19

We also believe that we cannot support our young people in isolation, and so always look for innovative ways to support our wider community, the young people’s families. This can be through offering a friendly ear / support to the adults around our students through to real, practical support via our ‘Project Pantry’, a one‑stop option for families struggling with the cost of living crisis.

The Project is part of the New Bridge Multi Academy Trust; a specialist MAT focussed on supporting young people across Oldham, Tameside, Rochdale and Stockport with additional needs. Through the MAT, and our partnerships with wider external agencies, we can support our young people up to the age of 25, ensuring they have the best possible outcomes and move successfully into adulthood.

Springboard Project is one of very few schools offering 14-19 education for young people with SEMH needs across Manchester and is highly sought after for places.

Springboard Project aims to support all learners as a 'Project without Barriers,' guided by the motto : "Maslow before Bloom," ensuring that students' emotional and psychological needs are prioritised before academic progress. Trauma Informed Practice is embedded throughout our school’s culture and practices, ensuring that every student, staff member, and community member is valued, respected, and supported without judgment, fostering an environment of trust, empathy, and emotional safety crucial for growth and achievement. This approach has contributed to an outstanding staff attendance rate, currently standing at 97% for the last academic year.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate how they meet the following essential criteria :

• Previous experience of planning and developing new courses in English
• A strong desire to ensure young people, who have often had very negative experiences of English teaching in the past, develop their skills in the subject to the very best of their ability.
• An understanding of Phonics and how to support older students who have missed crucial elements of early literacy development.
• Previous experience of working with young people of secondary school age who may present with challenging behaviour and complex SEMH (Social, Emotional & Mental Health) needs, preferably within an educational setting
• A nurturing and empathetic approach to behaviour management
• The physical and emotional resilience to support students with complex needs, taking a non-judgemental approach
• The ability to support teaching and learning within an SEMH setting to a dedicated group of students
• The ability to model and encourage appropriate social behaviour in and out of school and to cater for the general welfare of students.
• The ability to work as part of a team using own initiative when needed
• Willingness to participate in own professional development

We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment.

This post will be subject to a number of pre-employment checks including an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and proof of right to work in the UK in accordance with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996. It will be exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here.

For successful candidates, an online search will be carried out as part of our due‑diligence in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023.

We strive to create a fair and inclusive workplace that is as diverse as the communities we serve. We positively welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

Salary : Teachers’ Pay Scale, plus TLR2 (£3,527 per annum)

Allowance : SEN allowance - £2,787 per annum

Contracted Hours : 1.0 FTE

Status : Permanent

Based : Initially at The Springboard Project, 2 Medtia Square, Phoenix St, Oldham, OL1 1AN

Closing Date : Friday 5th December 2025 (9am)

Interviews : w / c Monday 8th December 2025

Further Info : Adam Ward Head of Site [e-mail]

Completed application forms should be returned to : [e-mail]