Graduate Teacher Training Programme in Pontefract

Ark is a charity that aims to transform children’s lives through education. In the UK, the strongest predictor of how a child will do at school continues to be what their parents do for a living – but why should this be the accepted status quo? By working in our network at one of our 39 schools, you will be directly making a positive impact on young people’s lives through high-quality teaching that sensitively considers all children’s backgrounds and needs; making educational equity a reality. Location: Pontefract, Wakefield Subjects: Maths or Science Funding Available: £29,000 tax-free bursary or £31,000 scholarship (if eligible) Programme Start Date: September 2026 Closing Date: Recruitment runs on a rolling basis until places are full – early applications are advised About Ark Teacher Training: We are delighted that Ark Schools and Pontefract Academies Trust will be merging on 1^st September 2026. We are excited about the opportunity to train even more exceptional teachers and come together to strengthen outcomes, invest in staff development, and further support pupils across our schools. Ark Teacher Training (ATT) is a school-based programme offering the perfect mixture of theory and classroom practice to develop you into the best teacher you can be. Our training is comprehensive and practical; you will be able to achieve your QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) and PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) all in one year. Our programme is rated as outstanding in all categories by Ofsted and is incredibly supportive and bespoke, meaning you can progress at your own pace. About the role: With opportunities in Pontefract across both Maths and Science, you will train in your chosen subject in either The Kings School or Carleton High School in Pontefract. This is a great opportunity to train to teach outstanding lessons and therefore help pupils achieve excellent academic results in your subject. In this role, you will be based in the school from September 2026 and engage in rigorous and continuous professional development. You will be able to demonstrate consistently high standards of personal and professional conduct, and be a role-model, positively impacting the academy more widely. About the schools: The King’s School is a warm, welcoming, and high‑performing school. Consistently recognised as one of the top‑performing schools in the Wakefield District and ranked in the top 15% nationally for progress, we continue to build on a long history of academic excellence. Our culture is rooted in raising aspirations and improving life chances for every student. Carleton High School has a strong community and family feel. We are a high achieving school, with academic outcomes for progress consistently being above the national average. Ofsted noted “There is a tangible sense of \’family\’ at this school… where pupils are happy and enjoy learning. The school has high ambition for all pupils.” Key responsibilities:

• To engage in daily professional development activities
• To plan, resource and deliver lessons to the highest possible standard that ensure learning and progress of all pupils
• To provide a nurturing classroom and school environment that helps pupils to develop as learners
• To help to maintain/establish discipline across the whole school
• To contribute to the effective working of the school

Key requirements:

• Grade C/4 or above in GCSE Maths and English Language (or equivalent)
• A bachelor’s degree (or completing one before September 2026)
• A degree or A level in Maths or Science (or a related subject)
• Commitment to working with young people
• Strong work ethic and resilience
• High personal and professional standards
• A genuine passion for teaching

Diversity and Inclusion: Our programme places heavy emphasis on diversity both within recruitment of our trainees and within the training. It’s incredibly important that pupils have a rich and diverse teaching body to learn from; they’re able to see themselves in positions of leadership and authority, while their perceptions and world-views are broadened.