Lead Practitioner for EnglishEDV/2026/OAT/18076

Ormiston Academies Trust; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development programme

Flexible working arrangements

Generous benefits

Job summary

Ormiston Academies Trust is seeking an ambitious English leader to influence teaching, literacy and outcomes across multiple schools in the West region. You will join a school improvement team to drive curriculum quality and student attainment.

Role requires directing and guiding staff, delivering training, and shaping the five-year strategy to raise reading ability and English standards across the Trust. Flexible, collaborative leadership is essential for success.

Qualifications

• Experience leading at least one English department and improving attainment.
• Up-to-date knowledge of English curricula and assessment requirements.
• Strong understanding of English at A Level and ability to raise outcomes.
• Ability to guide schools across a regional group and deliver targeted initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead English across multiple schools within the West region.
• Direct and guide staff, deliver training and development.
• Drive improvements in reading and overall English outcomes across the Trust.
• Collaborate across a group of academies to develop capacity and sustain progress.

Skills

English leadership

Curriculum development

Training delivery

Strategic leadership

Education

Head of English experience

Job description

About This Role

Work where it matters most, achieve what matters more

Be part of a team where passion meets purpose, as we work together where the challenge is greatest to change the lives and build the futures of children and young people.

Are you an ambitious English leader ready to influence teaching, literacy and outcomes across multiple schools? We are seeking an exceptional English specialist to join our West regional school improvement team and play a leading role in transforming outcomes for thousands of young people.

Joining a school improvement team led by senior members of the Trust, you will use your subject knowledge, expertise and experience in English to drive improved outcomes and the quality of the curriculum, teaching and learning.

In this role you will play an integral role in our five-year strategy, which includes ambitious goals to raise outcomes and significantly improve the reading ability of pupils across the Trust. You will be comfortable with directing and guiding people, with delivering training and development and with how to get the best out of pupils.

This is an exciting role that requires flexibility, a team spirit, and a willingness to learn. Whether you are an experienced Head of English seeking broader influence or an exceptional senior leader with a track record of improving English outcomes, this role offers a unique opportunity to develop your strategic leadership experience across a family of schools.

The role also requires the ability to work across a group of schools, developing capacity and improving outcomes for young people through collaborative leadership and targeted initiatives. You will need to live within a commutable distance of one of our academies in the West region.

We are looking for someone with a highly effective leadership style that is both consultative and influential. You will demonstrate resilience, motivation, and a commitment to driving up standards, ensuring that students achieve their full potential.

You have experience in leading at least one English department and will possess up-to-date knowledge of subject curricula and assessment requirements. A strong understanding of English to A Level is essential, alongside the ability to implement effective strategies for improving attainment, particularly in challenging and diverse schools at Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4.

Why join Ormiston?

Our vision is to create a school system where every child thrives, regardless of background. Our people are at the heart of our approach – they are our greatest asset.

There’s nothing more important than educating the next generation, and our teams across Ormiston are continuing to undertake excellent work to make sure that the opportunities we provide have the greatest impact for every child and young person. If you join us at Ormiston, whatever your role, you can be sure of a role with purpose and meaning.

Ormiston, where every member of staff enjoys…

• The opportunity to build on the legacy of those who came before – being part of one of the longest standing Trusts, created with the sole purpose of enabling children and young people to thrive
• Working for a Trust nationally recognised for its impact on disadvantaged children – a rewarding, stimulating career where staff are challenged to be the best they can be, for the pupils we are proud to serve
• Being part of a team and community where you belong – receiving bespoke and holistic support from a well-resourced and ambitious network of experts and professionals that work at the heart of communities
• A supportive environment to grow your career – an extensive professional development programme, alongside flexible working arrangements and generous benefits
  

We value the contribution of every colleague and offer a range of benefits designed to support your career, wellbeing and work-life balance. Benefits include automatic pay progression, a generous pension scheme, wellbeing support, exclusive discounts, Blue Light Card access and our cycle-to-work scheme.

If you have any questions about the role please contact Janine Metcalfe-Taylor, Senior Lead Practitioner for English at [e-mail]