National Lead for Primary English and Reading

Lift Schools; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000; Part time

Job summary

A national education organization is seeking a Senior Leader for Curriculum and Education to drive innovation in English and literacy across primary schools. This role involves collaborating with school leaders to enhance teaching practices and outcomes for students while offering a flexible home-based working environment. Candidates should possess strong leadership skills and a proven ability to improve literacy results. A generous salary and benefits package is provided, alongside ample opportunities for career development.

Benefits

Career development and training

Generous benefits including healthcare

Lifestyle perks like gym memberships

Qualifications

• Experienced primary English and literacy leader.
• Strong track record of improving outcomes.
• Passionate about ensuring excellence at scale.

Responsibilities

• Shape national approach to English and literacy across primary schools.
• Work closely with school leaders and teachers.
• Lead professional networks to build expertise.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Expertise in teaching reading

Network-minded approach

Job description

About the role

As a senior member of our central curriculum and education teams, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and driving our national approach to English and literacy across our primary schools.

You will provide strategic leadership for oracy, reading, writing and English, working closely with school leaders, teachers and central colleagues to improve curriculum quality, teaching practice and pupil outcomes at scale. This is a highly influential role, combining vision, expertise and collaboration to make a meaningful difference to thousands of children nationwide.

Reporting to the Director of Curriculum, you will work alongside regional education directors, subject leads and school leaders, and lead professional networks that build expertise and capacity across the trust.

About you

You will be an experienced and credible primary English and literacy leader with a strong track record of improving outcomes and expertise in the teaching of reading. You are strategic, network‑minded and passionate about ensuring excellence at scale.

Why join Lift Schools?

• A rare opportunity to influence national practice at scale
• Work alongside a highly committed, values‑driven central education team
• Flexible working (0.6‑0.8 FTE), home‑based with (funded) national travel
• The chance to make a lasting difference to children's lives

How we support you

At Lift Schools, we believe talent drives performance. We offer you:

• Career development and training: Access a wide range of statutory and developmental training to boost your career.
• Our partnership with One World powers our innovative Instructional Excellence Program. We also offer a comprehensive range of CPD programs, including Ambition Institute's Early Career and offerings, tailored to both individual and network needs.

Generous benefits: From your pension plan to healthcare and financial support, we've got you covered.

Lifestyle perks: Enjoy discounted gym memberships, travel deals, and even electric vehicle incentives.

The role is due to commence April 2026 or earlier if possible. This is a fixed term position to cover maternity leave. Lift Schools is growing so there is scope for this role to go permanent to add additional capacity to the team.

Closing date

19 January 2026

Interview date

26 January 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response. All candidates are advised to refer to the job description and person specification before making an application.

Lift Schools are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our people and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair and consistent recruitment process which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

Lift Schools embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. Job share, part‑time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and there is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Salary: £70,000 FTE, pro rata £56,000 (0.8) or £42,000 (0.6) + wellbeing cash plan + pension scheme (TPS) + additional Lift Schools benefits

Location: Based from home with frequent travel to our network of schools and EdCity

Hours: 0.8 (29.6) or 0.6 (22.2)

Contract: Fixed Term - Maternity Cover