English Lead

Location: The Fermain Academy, Macclesfield, UK

Salary: Competitive salary, equivalent to Main Pay Scale through to UPS, dependent on experience and expertise

Contract Type: Permanent

Education Phases: Secondary;

Working Patterns: Full-Time;

Subjects: English;

Application Deadline: Friday, 25th September 2026

Interview Date: 01/10/2026

Expected Working Start Date: As soon as possible

Visa Sponsorship Available: No

Is a Shared Job: No

About us

The Fermain Academy is a safe, ambitious and stimulating place of learning for students who, for a variety of reasons, have become disengaged from mainstream education. We provide a highly personalised education for young people aged 13–16, many of whom have experienced significant barriers to learning and have previously struggled to succeed in mainstream settings.

Our students benefit from small teaching groups, typically between 4 and 8 students, alongside a dedicated and highly skilled team who understand that strong relationships, consistency and high expectations are central to successful learning. We are proud of the progress our students make and the strong outcomes they achieve, both academically and in securing positive destinations beyond Year 11.

Our curriculum is deliberately broad and bespoke, combining strong academic provision with an exciting vocational offer at The Mill, our dedicated vocational provision. This enables students to develop the knowledge, skills and qualifications they need while also discovering new interests, developing confidence and preparing successfully for their next steps.

Job Description

TEACHING AT THE YES TRUST

To deliver the vision, our subject teachers/subject leads will work in collaboration with the Headteacher focusing on three key themes:

1) Re-connecting, raising aspirations and motivating

• A whole education, recognising that essential pre-cursors to academic success are personal and emotional development, independent living and decision-making skills and discovering meaningful interests and goals
• A personalised curriculum including specific engagement activities based on the interests of each individual learner
• Positive and trusted adult role models in the form of Learning Mentors and qualified teachers recruited for their enthusiasm for working with disconnected young people and their ability to understand and adapt, in order to meet the needs of the students
• Opportunities to support social and emotional needs through individualised programmes and a varied curriculum

2) Unlocking every child’s potential

• The curriculum will determine the knowledge and skills students will learn at each stage. It will be planned efficiently to deliver exceptional lessons where students make outstanding progress, and are able to relate their learning to the wider world
• Individualised learning programmes, based on the interests and skills of the students and which draw upon the diverse range of pastoral, vocational, engagement and personal and social development activities
• Small groups of students (max 1:10) with capability to offer 1 to 1 student support
• Practical application of knowledge to develop skills that prepare for accreditation and work towards independence and social integration

3) Recognising and celebrating achievement

§ Positive learning environments with praise for success and recognition of achievement

§ Regular liaison with parents and carers to involve them fully in the education of their children including weekly progress telephone calls

§ Celebration of success through weekly celebrations with students and staff rewards for targeted elements and high-profile annual celebration events

§ Relevant vocational learning that broadens the curriculum we offer to students, providing the opportunity to support their classroom learning by gaining practical skills in the workplace and ultimately allowing them to achieve recognised qualification

JOB DESCRIPTION

To lead the strategic development, delivery, and continual improvement of the English curriculum at The Fermain Academy. The postholder will ensure high-quality teaching, curriculum innovation, and compliance with national expectations, including deep engagement with the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework.

Key Responsibilities

1. Curriculum Leadership and Development

• Lead the design and continual improvement of the English curriculum for KS3 and KS4;
• Facilitate curriculum mapping and moderation.

2. Quality Assurance

• Review lesson delivery, pupil work and feedback to endure consistency and excellence

3. Teaching and Learning

• Model exemplary English teaching;
• Promote evidence-informed pedagogical approaches aligned with the Trust’s teaching methodology;
• Ensure assessment practices support pupil progress;
• Deliver the teaching of English within the school and other subjects as and when required;
• Support and maintain an environment and a code of behaviour and discipline which promotes and secures good teaching, effective learning and high standards of achievement;
• Support and maintain the mental health and wellbeing of the students which promotes and secures good teaching, effective learning and high standards of achievement;
• Help organise the curriculum and its assessment and work with the SLT to monitor and evaluate it in order to identify areas for improvement;
• Ensure that the curriculum and assessments meet National Curriculum requirements;
• To liaise with the Academy’s SENCO in order to identify students who require further support or intervention;
• Deliver and support the PHSE and RHSE programmes across the school.

4. Data, Monitoring and Impact

• Analyse data to identify trends and support the Academy in raising attainment;
• Use data to inform improvement planning;
• Report regularly to the Headteacher on initiative impact.

5. Partnership Working

• Support in establishing a culture and curriculum which fulfils the aims and requirements of the whole school community as set out in the vision;
• Seek opportunities to invite parents and carers into The Academy to enrich student experience and to promote The Keystone Academy’s value to the wider community;
• Collaborate with staff, to actively promote British values, as well as the academic, spiritual, moral, social, emotional and cultural well-being of students and their families;
• Represent The Academy at relevant meetings, as and when required;
• Collaborate with colleagues across the trust to share and develop best practice.

6. Health and Safety / Child Protection

• To help ensure that health and safety standards meet statutory requirements, monitoring health and safety matters within the school, particularly ensuring that all members of staff take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others;
• To help ensure that Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures and Department of Health assessments of Children in Need are rigorously complied with, and that the welfare and health and safety of students are of prime consideration;
• To promote the safety and well-being of students and staff;
• To ensure good order and discipline of students and staff.

Benefits

• A teaching day that ends at 14.30
• Small class sizes
• Fantastic classroom support
• Access to training and CPD including further professional qualifications.
• Specialist training where required
• Cycle to work scheme
• Flexible and supportive approach to work
• Free lunch at school
• Free parking (including charging stations on most sites)
• Nursery benefits
• Perkbox - vouchers, discounts and wellbeing

Desired Criteria

Qualifications/

Education

• Recognised behaviour / curriculum / SEMH qualification

Teaching Experience

• Evidence of having led whole school learning and teaching strategy.
• Success with students who are below expected levels
• Work with disconnected students

Additional Professional Skills

• Evidence of coaching and/or mentoring
• Able to effectively resolve personnel issues
• Training in and understanding of child protection
• Training and experience of working with students with a variety of mental health needs

• Proven ability in leading a staff CPD session on a subject area
• Experience of supporting staff
• Effective liaison with Governors and a good understanding of their role

Knowledge and understanding

• Knowledge and experience of current good practice and development in special education provision
• Knowledge of successful practice in teaching hard to reach students
• Knowledge of how to promote independence for young people with complex needs
• Behaviour Management training
• Mental Health training
• Knowledge and experience of supporting different aspects of SEND, including ASD, ADHD, SLCN
• Knowledge of OFSTED Framework

Shaping the Future /Philosophy

Developing Self and Working with Others

• Evidence of delivering staff training for staff, Governors and Parents
• Evidence of work in the wider community

Essential Criteria

The successful candidate would be expected to maintain a well-organised, creative, safe and friendly environment for living and learning and hence enhance the ethos of the school. Candidates are asked to address as many of the person specifications as possible in their application.

Qualifications/

Education

• Qualified Teacher Status
• A degree or equivalent
• Evidence of further professional development

Teaching Experience

Proven ability to:

• Demonstrate the ability to deliver at least good classroom practice
• Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge students
• Promote good progress and outcomes by students
• Demonstrate full subject and curriculum knowledge
• Plan and teach well-structured lessons
• Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all students
• Use assessment effectively to inform student’s progress and to analyse data to help the target setting process.
• Manage behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment
• Fulfil wider professional responsibilities
• Communicate and work effectively in a multi-disciplinary school team including parents/guardians and other external agencies
• Commitment to school-wide focus on student attainment

Additional Professional Skills

Proven ability to:

• Communicate effectively to groups and individuals, orally and in writing
• Resolve conflict through active listening and negotiation
• Demonstrate a flexible approach and a willingness to listen to others
• Provide advice and guidance to parents and carers in a positive and clear manner
• Remain calm when working under pressure
• Ability to show patience and empathy
• Ability to analyse situations, prioritise and help to implement realistic solutions
• Ability to establish and develop good relationships with all involved in the school
• Commitment to the school’s wider community
• Willingness to deliver and support extra-curricular activities
• Ability to inspire all in a love of learning for your subject

Knowledge and understanding

• Demonstrate a good level and understanding of ICT
• Knowledge of how to deal with safeguarding issues in school
• Awareness of current developments in education and the implications of these.
• Understand how to plan appropriate interventions
• Behaviour management techniques for groups and individuals
• Know how to develop effective rapport with students, this being based on high expectations and establishing a purposeful learning environment

Shaping the Future /Philosophy

• Demonstrate and communicate clear ideas to promote the schools' vision and ethos
• Expectation of high achievement of all students
• Evidence of understanding and commitment to equality of opportunity
• Respect for students’ individual difference
• Commitment to parental partnership in education and developing links between school, home and the community
• Awareness of the need to develop a school culture responsive to the nature of the school’s communities

Developing Self and Working with Others

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Commitment to one’s own continuing professional development
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to make and take decisions and set priorities
• Able to gain and maintain the confidence and respect of colleagues, students, parents and multi-disciplinary professionals
• Able to delegate responsibility with accountability for area of responsibility
• An ability to work in partnership with those agencies that work with the school.
• Have perseverance and the ability to self-reflect.
• Be confident and enthusiastic
• Be reliable and have integrity

Other Requirements

• Positive recommendation from present employer
• Safer recruitment completed
• Good attendance record