Assistant Head of English and whole school Literacy Lead

Co-op Academies Trust aims to provide an outstanding education for all our learners, founded on co-operative values, at the heart of the community. It is responsible for an increasing number of academies in Leeds, Greater Manchester, Wirral and Stoke-on-Trent with the Co-op acting as the sponsor. There is the likelihood of significant further growth in the near future.

The post holder will support the Head of English in improving the quality of education and outcomes for pupils in English. The post holder will play a leading role in the planning, management and development of the Key Stage 3 English curriculum and assessment, ensuring a coherent, ambitious and inclusive curriculum that secures strong progress in reading, writing, oracy and language development.

Whole‑school Literacy Leadership

As Literacy Lead, the post holder will take strategic responsibility for whole‑school literacy, including the planning, managing and evaluating of literacy interventions to support pupils who require additional support. This will involve using assessment information to identify need, monitoring the impact of interventions, and refining provision to ensure interventions are effective, evidence‑informed and aligned with whole‑school priorities.

Our academy serves the local communities of Worsley, Boothstown and Walkden and provides places for 1500 pupils aged 11‑16. We are easily commutable from all areas of the North West. We have a dedicated team of staff who build and share positive relationships and a caring culture with our wonderful students. This was highlighted in our recent Ofsted inspection (May 2023), where we were graded ‘Good’ in all areas.

All our values are based upon the values of the Co‑op Group, which will inform our behaviours:

• Self‑help: We do not expect to be spoon fed – we will try to do things for ourselves in the right way and at the right time.
• Self‑responsibility: Everyone should act in a responsible way around the academy site and in the local community. We take responsibility for our own learning; we want to become independent learners.
• Equality: We are proud to be part of a very multicultural academy, with students from all over the world; it is important that we treat each other with respect and accept that others may be different from ourselves. We should all of us have equal chances to succeed.
• Equity: We want to look for the best in each other. Rewarding others fairly to encourage all types of achievement.
• Democracy: We will contribute our ideas to make the academy a success.
• Solidarity: We can achieve more by working together, rather than as individuals.

Our Values

• Succeed together
• Do what matters most
• Be yourself, always
• Show you care

So, if you believe in our values, we would love to hear from you!

Co-op Academies Trust is an aware employer committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults as its number one priority. This commitment to robust recruitment, selection and induction procedures extends to organisations and services linked to the Trust on its behalf. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. We value variety and individual differences, and aim to create a culture, environment and practices at all levels which encompass acceptance, respect and inclusion. All our colleagues are expected to demonstrate a commitment to co-operative values and principles.

All applications for this role are to be completed via our SAMpeople Recruit platform. Please follow the link on our website to access this information.

Co-op Academies Trust is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people and expects all its employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced check by the DBS and satisfactory references.