Lead Practitioner -English in Tonbridge

Are you an inspiring and ambitious English specialist ready to lead, innovate and make a lasting impact? Leigh Academy Hugh Christie is seeking a dynamic and forward-thinking Lead Practitioner - English to join our thriving academy from January 2027.

At Leigh Academy Hugh Christie, we are more than just a school; we are a rapidly transforming community where high expectations, creativity and collaboration sit at the heart of everything we do.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead and shape a vibrant English department at a pivotal stage in our development. As Lead Practitioner, you will drive excellence in teaching and learning, inspire a team of committed practitioners, and ensure our curriculum is ambitious, coherent and grounded in strong subject expertise.

What makes Leigh Academy Hugh Christie a special place to work:

• Strategic Leadership: Autonomy to design and deliver a high-quality English curriculum, inspiring students through creative expression, critical analysis, and a deep exploration of literature and language.

• Professional Growth: Access to bespoke leadership development within the Leigh Academies Trust, collaborating with expert advisors to set new benchmarks for excellence.

• Team Empowerment: Lead and mentor a talented team of educators, fostering a culture of collaborative inquiry, mutual respect, and shared ambition.

• World-Class Facilities: Teach in a state-of-the-art environment featuring modern facilities and dedicated digital suites.

• Student-Centred Mission: Join a team dedicated to empowering the next generation of critical thinkers to understand and influence the world through evidence-based discovery.

If you are ready to join a department with energy, integrity and ambition - and help shape the future of English education within a flourishing academy - we would love to hear from you.

Working with us at Leigh Academy Hugh Christie

Leigh Academy Hugh Christie is a thriving secondary academy within Leigh Academies Trust, committed to delivering academic excellence, strong pastoral support, and meaningful community engagement. We offer a broad and inclusive curriculum that meets the diverse needs of our students, combining traditional subjects with vocational pathways and a wide range of enrichment opportunities.

Beyond the classroom, we place a strong focus on personal development, wellbeing, and character education, helping our students grow into confident, resilient, and well-rounded individuals. With a proud history and an exciting future as part of Leigh Academies Trust, Leigh Academy Hugh Christie is a supportive and inspiring place for both students and staff to thrive.

Click here to visit our website and learn more.

Applying for this Opportunity

Thank you for your interest in joining us. If you’d like to find out more about this role or arrange a visit to the academy, please don’t hesitate to contact Amy Wenban (Recruitment Advisor): amy.wenban@latrust.org.uk / 01634 412 205.

To support your application, we recommend viewing the Job Pack by clicking here, which outlines the full role responsibilities and person specification. This will guide you in preparing a strong application and understanding what we’re looking for.

Early applications are encouraged, as we reserve the right to interview before the closing date. All applications must be submitted through our online application form prior to the deadline.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding, Equality & Diversity

Leigh Academies Trust and all of our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This role involves regulated activity relevant to children, and it is a criminal offence for anyone barred from engaging in regulated activity with children to apply for this position.

We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process across all academies and business units, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates, and you can read more about our approach on our Careers site. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references and, where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

As a Trust, we are passionate about diversity and recognise that as individuals, we all bring something unique to the role, regardless of any protected characteristics, which is why we treat all of our people equally, without compromise. We are committed to providing equality and fairness throughout our recruitment and employment practices, and not discriminating on any grounds.