Teacher of English (Maternity)

Teaching Vacancies; Tonbridge; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A secondary school in Tonbridge is seeking a flexible and highly motivated Teacher of English for a full-time maternity cover role starting in February 2026. Applicants should possess Qualified Teacher Status and a degree. The position offers a supportive environment with student-centered approaches, opportunities for professional development, and a commitment to safeguarding. The ideal candidate will inspire students, actively engage in departmental collaboration, and help achieve outstanding academic outcomes.

Benefits

CPD programmes based on aspirations

Unlimited access to CPD platform

Employee Discount Scheme

Free annual flu vaccination

Membership of Teachers' Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Suitable to work with children.
• Outstanding classroom teacher and tutor.
• Energy, enthusiasm, and perseverance.

Responsibilities

• Teach English to KS4 and A-Level students.
• Participate in a supportive and collaborative English Department.
• Engage in professional development activities.

Skills

Effective communication

Behaviour management

Planning for practical lessons

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Ability to inspire and motivate

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

Degree or equivalent

Job description

What skills and experience we’re looking for

Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status
• Degree or equivalent

Experience

• Outstanding classroom teacher and tutor
• Sustained performance securing very good student outcomes
• The ability to teach English to KS4
• The ability to teach English to A-Level

Skills & Knowledge

• Able to communicate effectively, orally and in writing
• Able to consistently demonstrate effective planning for practical lessons to help support the delivery of outstanding lessons
• Confident in own ability to be effective and to take on challenges
• Ability to relate well to students, colleagues, parents and Trustees
• Effective behaviour management
• Able to support students in maintaining high standards
• Efficient and effective administrative, organisational and personal management skills

Personal Attributes

• Ability to inspire, challenge and motivate
• Have a positive approach with a desire to succeed
• Energy, enthusiasm and perseverance
• Reliability and integrity
• Good interpersonal skills
• Professional appearance and manner
• Positive commitment to individual personal development
• Capacity to work hard, under pressure, to meet deadlines and manage time effectively
• A good record of attendance
• Adaptable and amenable with respect to working practices
• Ability to work independently and in a team, take a collaborative approach
• Ability to build supportive working relationships with colleagues
• Commitment to supporting the full life of the school
• Suitable to work with children

What the school offers its staff

Professional Development

• Research led CPD programmes, tailored to individual’s aspirations, which are based both in school and across the wider Trust.
• A full induction programme for all new staff.
• ECT’s will have a lower teaching load, timetabled mentoring sessions and a full programme of training and induction activities.
• Unlimited access to the National College CPD platform.
• An additional INSET day at the beginning of the academic year dedicated to teacher planning and preparation.
• Our “No lesson judgements” policy ensures lesson observations are developmental and supportive.
• One INSET day a year dedicated to moderation and curriculum preparation.

Staff Welfare

• Data capture that is measured and timely – we report progress home three times a year.
• Minimal written reports.
• No requirement for teachers to submit lesson plans, even for lesson observations.
• Teaching staff are only required to do a maximum of one twenty‑minute duty each week.
• Supportive yet challenging governance, which understands that teachers are our most valuable resource.
• We are a school that appreciates the importance of family. We do our best to support staff when there are issues and requests for additional leave regarding family events and an Additional Leave policy that supports staff when they may need time off school.
• A teaching load of 43/50 one‑hour periods of teaching per fortnight maximum.

Benefits

• School budgets are set making the assumption that everybody will get their incremental pay rise.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Healthcare cash plan.
• Occupational health support.
• Priority admission for staff children (see admissions policy on school website).
• Employee Discount Scheme (Multiple Retailers – Kent Reward Scheme).
• Opportunity to perform paid lunch‑time duties (with free lunch).
• Free annual flu vaccination.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Free tea and coffee provided in the staff room.
• Use of onsite canteen offering hot meals and salad bar.
• Opportunities to participate in enrichment activities e.g. theatre visits.
• Opportunities for flexible working.
• Free on‑site parking.
• Membership of the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) or Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

Environment

• Pleasant working environment with very well‑behaved students.
• Eleven acres of school grounds set in Green Belt land at Tonbridge Campus.

Further details about the role

Employment Status: Maternity

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

Salary: MPS/UPS

Start Date: February 2026

We are looking to appoint a flexible, highly motivated and organised Teacher of English. Our results over time have been outstanding and we are an outward looking and innovative team. This is an ideal opportunity for an outstanding English specialist who is looking to work in a high achieving and ambitious team.

This post would ideally suit a colleague who is looking for a new challenge and wishes to work with highly motivated, extremely engaged, enthusiastic and able learners at this significant time in our development. If you wish to extend further your repertoire of teaching and learning strategies, then Weald of Kent would be a perfect fit for you. In addition to the opportunities to develop your practice within the classroom, the school offers an extensive range of professional development support, including a bespoke package for those interested in working towards their next career step.

The English Department is comprised of 14 full‑time and seven part‑time teaching staff members. The Department is led by the Head of English who is supported by a Second in Department. The English team is very supportive and collaborative and works closely together to deliver an academically challenging and stimulating English curriculum to our students that represents the diverse world we live in. The team also has close links with the libraries and library staff located at each campus. English and Drama are taught throughout Key Stages 3. In Key Stage 4 all students are entered for both the AQA GCSE English and GCSE English Literature qualifications. GCSE Drama (Eduqas) is a thriving GCSE option subject.

English Literature (Edexcel) has always been a highly successful subject at Advanced level. We also offer English Language (AQA). Media Studies (OCR) is taught throughout Key Stage 5 and Theatre Studies A Level (AQA) is also a popular option choice. The Department offers Programmes of Study which continually enable students to exercise their academic and creative flair. A large number of our students choose to develop their interests in our subjects further through studying them at university.

The Department provides a full, varied and exciting programme of extra‑curricular activities. These include theatre visits; a Literary Society; poetry workshops; creative writing clubs; a variety of well‑supported book groups who shadow the Carnegie and the Booker and we also have regular visits from authors and poets. English, Media and Drama Week is celebrated each year with staff and students participating in highly engaging activities which culminate in the school community dressing up as characters from texts.

Application Closing Date: Tuesday 9 December 2025, 9am

Shortlist Interview Date: Tuesday 16 December 2025

Early applications are advised as the School reserves the right to appoint at any stage during the application process.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post. As this role involves ‘regulated activity’ with children the successful applicant will be required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure application. Employment will be conditional upon the College being satisfied with the result of the Enhanced DBS check and the outcome of all other checks.

The School will also carry out a check of the Children’s Barred List on the successful applicant. Applicants should be aware that it is unlawful for the School to employ anyone to work with children if they are barred from doing so, and it is a criminal offence for a person to apply to work with children if they are barred from doing so.

This role is also exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the School is therefore permitted to ask shortlisted applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are “spent” unless they are “protected” under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

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.