English Teacher (Maternity Cover) – Empower Minds in Kettering

Start date: September 2026

Closing date: 4th June 2026

Location: Kettering Science Academy

Salary: MPS/UPS (maternity cover)

Hours per week: Full time, permanent teaching post

Language matters. Stories matter. Belonging matters. At Kettering Science Academy, we believe that kids do well if they can. When students struggle, we look first at what is getting in the way and how we can help remove those barriers. Unconditional positive regard sits at the heart of our work, and it shapes how we design curriculum, how we teach, and how we build relationships.

Our English department is in the second year of a refreshed and reinvigorated curriculum. The journey is ongoing, but it is purposeful and grounded in shared values. Leading indicators already show that strengthened leadership, clearer curriculum thinking, and strong teamwork are having a significantly positive impact on students’ engagement, confidence, and outcomes.

We are seeking a thoughtful and committed Teacher of English to join this work. The post is open to colleagues who want to focus fully on classroom teaching and develop their pedagogy within a very collaborative team. We have recently reinvigorated our KS3 curriculum to make it more diverse and ambitious, and at KS4 we follow the AQA Language and Literature specifications. We also teach A level combined Language and Literature to an increasing number of our sixth formers.

This role would suit someone who wants to be part of a department on a journey. Someone who believes in high expectations and high support. Someone who understands that improvement comes through trust, consistency, and professional collaboration.

The role will involve:

• Teaching English with clarity, care, and ambition, rooted in the refreshed curriculum
• Contributing to curriculum refinement and shared departmental resources
• Using assessment to inform teaching and support students to make progress
• Working as part of a highly supportive, reflective team
• Building strong, respectful relationships with students based on consistency and unconditional positive regard
• For TLR holders: supporting colleagues through modelling, coaching, and shared practice

What we offer:

• A genuinely supportive English department with strong leadership and teamwork
• A modern school environment with excellent facilities
• High-quality CPD and professional learning through the Brooke Weston Trust
• Daily allowance for breakfast and lunch
• A school culture that values relationships, inclusion, and professional growth

We are looking for someone who:

• Is passionate about English and committed to improving life chances through literacy
• Believes that behaviour and learning are forms of communication
• Is reflective, open to feedback, and committed to getting better
• Holds high expectations while offering high levels of care and support
• Shares our belief that every child deserves unconditional positive regard and excellent teaching

Whether you are an experienced English teacher looking to join a strong and values-led team, or a colleague ready to step into a short-term leadership opportunity alongside excellent classroom practice, we would love to hear from you.

About Kettering Science Academy: Kettering Science Academy was delighted to receive a Good Ofsted rating in July 2023. This report recognised the work which has been done over many years in relentlessly focussing on providing stimulating learning experience for all our students. We actively encourage students to participate in all areas of academy life, motivating and inspiring them to unlock their potential and realise their ambitions. We believe education is about more than achieving success in exams; it is about preparing students for the challenges and demands of life beyond education. Staff have an uncompromising commitment to this and work closely with one another to support and develop students as well as one another.

Our students come from all walks of life, and we want our staffing body to be reflective of the communities we work within. Brooke Weston Trust does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nationality, culture, age, disability, marital status or socio-economic backgrounds. We encourage and welcome applications from minority groups and foster a work environment that is inclusive as well as diverse, where people can be themselves.

We are a thriving community of equals dedicated to creating a great place to work and learn; students and staff are happy and proud to be part of Kettering Science Academy's journey to being the best that we can be and we would like to offer you the opportunity to jump aboard and join us for this journey!

If you think you can contribute to our organisation we welcome your application. Applicants are required to complete an application form as CVs will not be accepted.

About Brooke Weston Trust: Our Trust was formed more than 25 years ago with a simple and clear mission - to transform educational performance in all of our communities. Working in some of the most challenging contexts, we improve our students’ achievements by making long term commitments to the community and championing new approaches to improve the life chances for young people.

Our members of staff are essential to realising this vision, a happy, motivated and supported team will deliver the best possible experiences for our young people. We place great emphasis on creating a supportive and collaborative working environment in all our schools, where all staff can share best practice through our colleague networks. Brooke Weston staff get access to first class professional development through our Ambition Hub, which is also home to the Northamptonshire Teaching School.

To find out more about working for our Trust and the benefits available to staff please check out the BWT Join Us Guide.

The Benefits at Brooke Weston Trust we can offer you:

• One wellbeing day a year, in addition to your annual leave
• Employee discounts with local and national retailers, covering high street supermarkets, days out and holidays, health and beauty, dining out plus lots more.
• A freshly prepared breakfast and hot or cold lunch each day when you work in one of our Trust schools
• Payment of professional subscription / membership - If your role requires you to be a member of a professional body, BWT will pay for your professional subscription or membership fees
• Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Your Care, an independent, external organisation. Your Care is available for you, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, both face to face and online.
• Additional health benefits including a Health Care cash plan and access to an online GP
• Car Lease scheme via Tusker.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Ongoing opportunities for training and development and access to the BWT Centre for Professional Development.
• Collaborative and Ambitious colleagues with the support of a committed team who work to maintain high standards and expectations.

Be the difference - At Brooke Weston Trust we believe every child deserves the best possible start, giving them a "ticket for life." If you want to use your skills with an organisation committed to making a difference and improving lives, this is the place for you.

How to Apply: If you think you can contribute to this role and to our organisation, we welcome your application. Completed application forms will be passed to the recruitment panel for shortlisting and will be reviewed against the person specification detailed in the advert. Applications will be assessed upon receipt, and we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date. An early application is therefore strongly advised.

Further details about the Academy and the above position can be found on our website ketteringscienceacademy.org or by telephoning 01536 532700 and asking for Khloé Hughes, HR Administrator.

Safer Recruitment: Care and respect for others are the values that lie at the heart of our Trust. The Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. It expects all staff to share this commitment. All posts require proof of identity and as the role is working with children and young people this will also be subject to an enhanced disclosures barring service check. In line with safer recruitment requirements, individuals shortlisted for a role in school will have online checks conducted on their name across social media platforms and google.

A copy of the Trust Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy can be found here - Safeguarding and Child Protection

The Trusts position on the recruitment of Ex-Offenders can be found under section 7 of the Trust SCR, Safer Recruitment and Staff Files Policy - Safer Recruitment SCR and Staff-Files Policy

Closing date: 10 May 2026

Interview date: TBA

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.