Head of English in Cambridge

Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology is an inspiring, specialist science academy for young people aged 13-19. The college is part of the United Learning Cambridge Cluster and is supported by the Baker Dearing Trust as a University Technical College (UTC), a government-funded school with a STEM focus. CAST offers a programme of GCSE, A level and T level courses along with a unique opportunity to work with nearby business organisations involved in science, engineering, and technology.

Situated in the heart of Cambridge’s Biomedical Campus, the college is surrounded by world-leading academic and commercial organisations which sponsor, support, and contribute to the life and work of the college. At Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology, our vision is to be a centre of excellence by working with world-leading academic and industry partners, and develop young people with the skills, attitudes and ambitions required to succeed.

Through our values (Resilience, Respect, and Responsibility), we set ourselves challenging goals and develop the skills and ability to overcome problems, enhance our experiences and benefit from different perspectives, and readily take responsibility to contribute and support each other, our environment, and our world. Students work in state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities, learning in innovative and exciting ways, supported by CAST’s unique partnerships with business.

Staff feedback demonstrates that CAST is a great community to work in, with a supportive and collaborative culture that is highly valued. Staff have eight training and marking days built into the academic year, numerous internal and external development opportunities, and great attention to staff wellbeing.

We are part of a cluster of schools within the United Learning group: The Galfrid School, Coleridge Community College, Trumpington Community College, Parkside Community College, and Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology. We embrace United Learning's aim to offer a life-changing education to children and young people, and we work as a team to achieve more than any single school could.

United Learning Cambridge Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All positions are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online check. We always appoint on merit, and we are open to discussing flexible working options.

Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology is looking for a new Head of English to join the successful and experienced English department. The Head of English is responsible for providing vision and strategic leadership to ensure that the department is managed effectively to the highest educational standards at national, local and school levels.

You will have the opportunity to teach students in Years 9 to 11, and join an innovative and highly committed team who support one another to succeed and share a deep interest in professional learning and development. Your teaching will be underpinned by strong schemes of work and assessment and the work of the United Learning subject advisory team.

The English Department is a small, dedicated team of three specialists working within a high-performing STEM school. We teach English from Year 9 to Year 11, delivering the AQA GCSE Language and Literature courses and our strong results reflect both the hard work of our students and the collaborative ethos of the department. Our students are aspirational, motivated, and eager to succeed across all academic disciplines, including English.

At GCSE our students currently study: Power and Conflict Poetry, An Inspector Calls, A Christmas Carol and Macbeth. We have crafted our own Year 9 curriculum, which allows us to introduce different texts while building the skills needed for GCSE success. Year 9 students have 8 hours of lessons across a two-week timetable and at GCSE, students have 9 hours of lessons across the two weeks. All students study for both the Language and Literature GCSEs. As part of a supportive Trust, we also benefit from shared resources and ongoing development opportunities.

Although small, our team has a strong sense of identity. We have 3 specialist teaching rooms. We celebrate creativity, run writing competitions, and create opportunities for students to explore English beyond the syllabus, such as newspaper reporting, debating and public speaking. We have also hosted performances from professional theatre companies.

CAST is an inspiring, specialist science academy for young people aged 13-19 years old. As part of United Learning, we seek to bring out 'the best in everyone'. We equip our students with the ‘powerful knowledge’ they need to make a success of their lives and the character to become resilient in overcoming obstacles; to responsibly manage themselves; to work independently on things which challenge them and to work with others.

The college offers GCSE, A levels and T level courses, along with unique opportunities to learn from working scientists, technologists and engineers. Students work in state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities. Learning occurs in innovative and exciting ways, supported by CAST’s unique partnerships with business. CAST therefore gives students a head start into their future careers. Consequently, student results are strong, and students achieved well above national averages in both STEM subjects and English.

We instil a workplace ethos, with a positive impact recognised by Ofsted which stated that ‘the excellent behaviour of students in lessons and around college creates an environment in which it is a joy to teach and study.’ Staff feedback demonstrates to us that CAST is a great community to work in, with a supportive and collaborative culture that is highly valued. Staff have eight training and marking days built into the academic year. There are numerous internal and external development opportunities available to all staff.

United Learning is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All positions are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online check.

Here at United Learning, we are committed to ensuring our employees feel valued and appreciated. Because we are a group, we can reward you better than any school could alone, and this includes your employee benefits.