Lead Practitioner

The Leigh Academy; Tonbridge and Malling; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Leadership scale

Teacher pension

Virtual GP service access

MAT network

LAT benefits

Job summary

Leigh Academy Hugh Christie is seeking a dynamic Lead Practitioner in English to join our thriving academy from January 2027. You will lead and shape the English department, drive excellence in teaching and learning, and mentor a team of practitioners to deliver an ambitious curriculum grounded in strong subject expertise.

This is a pivotal role within a rapidly developing context, offering strategic leadership autonomy, collaboration with the Leigh Academies Trust, and opportunities to

Qualifications

• Leadership scale (England & Wales) and leadership development opportunities mentioned in the posting.
• English specialist role requiring leadership in English department.

Responsibilities

• Lead and shape the English department to deliver an ambitious, coherent curriculum.
• Drive excellence in teaching and learning and mentor a team of practitioners.

Job description

Lead Practitioner -English

CAPTION:

• Company: Teaching Vacancies
• Salary: Not specified
• Hours: Full-time
• Location: Tonbridge, TN10 4PU
• Job type: Permanent
• Posting date: 25 Sept 2026
• Closing date: 12 Oct 2026

Summary

What skills and experience we're looking for

Leadership Scale (England & Wales) + Teacher Pension Scheme + 24/7 access to a free virtual GP Service + collaborative MAT network + additional LAT benefits.

Are you an inspiring and ambitious English specialist ready to lead, innovate and make a lasting impact? Leigh Academy Hugh Christie is seeking a dynamic and forward-thinking Lead Practitioner - English to join our thriving academy from January 2027.

At Leigh Academy Hugh Christie, we are more than just a school; we are a rapidly transforming community where high expectations, creativity and collaboration sit at the heart of everything we do.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead and shape a vibrant English department at a pivotal stage in our development. As Lead Practitioner, you will drive excellence in teaching and learning, inspire a team of committed practitioners, and ensure our curriculum is ambitious, coherent and grounded in strong subject expertise.

What the school offers its staff

What makes Leigh Academy Hugh Christie a special place to work:

• Strategic Leadership: Autonomy to design and deliver a high-quality English curriculum, inspiring students through creative expression, critical analysis, and a deep exploration of literature and language.
• Professional Growth: Access to bespoke leadership development within the Leigh Academies Trust, collaborating with expert advisors to set new benchmarks for excellence.
• Team Empowerment: Lead and mentor a talented team of educators, fostering a culture of collaborative inquiry, mutual respect, and shared ambition.
• World-Class Facilities: Teach in a state-of-the-art environment featuring modern facilities and dedicated digital suites.
• Student-Centred Mission: Join a team dedicated to empowering the next generation of critical thinkers to understand and influence the world through evidence-based discovery.

If you are ready to join a department with energy, integrity and ambition - and help shape the future of English education within a flourishing academy - we would love to hear from you.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), medical, online and social media, prohibition from teaching, right to work, satisfactory references, suitability to work with children. You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.