Head of English in Clacton-on-Sea

We are now seeking a skilled and committed leader to join the team as Head of English. The Head of English is a key position, and the successful candidate will play a key role in the Extended Leadership Team at INA, as well as having many opportunities to collaborate with other Ark HoDs.

At INA, we are highly ambitious for our students and our staff are pivotal to our success. As part of the staff team, you will have the opportunity to work with great colleagues and develop your career through an outstanding professional development programme. You will be encouraged to be a reflective and open practitioner and be supported by the expertise of the Principal and experienced network colleagues, to develop yourself as an outstanding leader.

As a Head of English within Ark, you will be part of the English Network which provides many opportunities to work with colleagues across Ark to develop excellent practice. This subject network operates within a true spirit of collegiality that supports all English teams to continuously work to better the provision on offer to our students and strive to be the best.

The successful candidate will:

• be an outstanding teacher with a proven track record of securing excellent outcomes
• have up-to-date knowledge of subject curricula and assessment requirements for English
• be passionate about English and the development of our students
• have some experience of leadership within a secondary school
• have the potential to move into senior leadership in the future

For further information on this brilliant opportunity as well as the fantastic benefits available, please see the job description and person specification below.

If you would like to have an informal discussion with the Principal about the role, or if you have any technical questions about the application process please contact his Executive Assistant & HR Lead, Sam Jones.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Benefits:

• Salaries 2.5% higher than main pay scale.
• Twice as many training days as standard.
• Generous pension scheme.
• Access to Ark rewards – a scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers.
• Interest‑free loans – up to £5,000 available for season ticket or to buy a bicycle.
• Gym discounts – offering up to 40%.
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme – providing free, confidential counselling, legal advice and a range of different support.

Isaac Newton Academy is a non-denominational, non-selective school, welcoming students of all backgrounds from the local community. We opened in 2012 with our inaugural cohort of 180 year 7 students. Isaac Newton Academy is an all through school with students from Reception to Year 13. Our mission is - striving together to be pioneers whose legacy makes a positive difference for our world.

The school was founded on the belief that all students can make dramatic progress within the right environment. Students, teachers, staff and parents are committed to making Isaac Newton a vibrant and inclusive learning community in which everyone can succeed.

We offer a rich curriculum emphasising core academic subjects, whilst providing the facilities, time and specialist staff to ensure students develop across a range of subjects. Music is at the heart of our school, with every student learning an instrument and all secondary students having the chance to be part of our Big Band ensembles.

Our school won Secondary School of the Year in the 2018 Shine a Light Awards for its commitment to developing students’ communication skills and was shortlisted for Secondary School of the Year in the 2018 TES Awards. Our Music Department were recently shortlisted for Excellence in Creative Arts at the TES School Awards 2023.

We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective.

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non‑disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment – this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred.

Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on‑going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage you to submit your application at your earliest convenience.