Second in English in Pontefract

Academy: Outwood Academy Hemsworth

Start Date: 01/09/2026

Salary: £32,916 - £51,048 plus TLR 2.2 £5876

Working Pattern: 1 FTE

We are seeking a dynamic and dedicated Second in Department to provide cohesive leadership and motivating direction within our faculty. In this pivotal role, you will support the Head of Department in driving innovative strategies to enhance the quality of learning, teaching, and student achievement. As a model of the Academy’s vision and values, you will be a key driver in our journey to becoming an 'outstanding' school, championing best practice and fostering a collective approach to problem-solving and curricular development.

About the Department:

The English Department at Outwood Academy Hemsworth is a team made up of 11 teachers and 2 one-to-one tutors. The department is very welcoming and staff work collaboratively to put students first. They are a combination of ECTs, teachers who have recently completed their ECT years and more experienced staff, and all work hard to create an environment where everyone is supported. Some of the recent ECTs are already taking steps to becoming leaders; others are honing their craft in the classroom and supporting newer staff. There are many opportunities for staff to develop.

There are enough classrooms for English staff to teach entirely or almost entirely in one building. Although Outwood Academy Hemsworth has recently undergone a transformation with the building of a large new block, English is housed in a Grade 2 listed building, which is full of character. Classrooms are equipped with large television screens and visualiser lecterns to support high quality teaching and learning.

The curriculum has been redesigned for knowledge to be developed almost fully through the study of texts, and there has been great investment in new books. Chosen novels, poetry and plays are culturally interesting, ambitious and engaging, including those less often chosen like Asha and the Spirit Bird, which is taught in Year 7. We prepare students for GCSE and A-Level study with the range of reading but also with units such as Language Change in Year 8. We also have a well-stocked library and knowledgeable librarian.

There is a strong whole-school literacy strategy which aims to ensure that all students can gain the educational and personal benefits of reading. This includes reading in form time, Accelerated Reader and a variety of reading interventions for readers who are not yet proficient. The specialist literacy teaching assistant uses the Ruth Miskin phonics programme to support emergent readers.

As in all OGAT secondary academies, the department prepares students for Eduqas GCSE English Language and English Literature qualifications. The programme of study is fully resourced with high-quality materials produced by staff across the trust who know this specification well. We aim to make all our teachers ‘experts’ in preparing students for GCSE examinations, using our thorough and systematic methods devised over many years. We have the benefit of support from the trust’s team of expert English School Standards and Improvement Partners, who provide support, materials, advice, coaching and who model and team-teach in lessons alongside us to develop our expertise. Since becoming an OGAT school, students have made positive progress in English Language every year.

Responsibilities:

• The successful candidate will develop and sustain 'DEEP' leadership by taking a leading role in the use of departmental data to raise attainment and making significant contributions to the Departmental Self-Evaluation (SEF).
• You will help devise, implement, and monitor Schemes of Work (SoW) to ensure consistent progression for all students while managing the day-to-day delivery within the subject area, including assessment and reporting processes.
• Leading on standards of behaviour and classroom management is essential, as is delivering bespoke CPD to colleagues and participating in coaching programmes to support professional practice.
• Furthermore, you will be accountable for student progression in allocated classes, ensuring differentiation and personalisation of learning, while coordinating the planning and execution of Immersion Days and developing the use of ICT within the curriculum.

Qualifications:

• Applicants must hold a Degree in a relevant subject and possess Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• You should be an outstanding classroom practitioner with a clear vision for the subject and a proven record of successful teaching across Key Stages 3, 4, and 5.
• We require evidence of managing and leading new initiatives or involvement in transformational change within a department or school setting.
• Technical proficiency is vital, including a good understanding of school improvement, the current Ofsted inspection framework, and the ability to use data to analyse and evaluate departmental performance to provide high-quality reports.
• Additionally, you must have thorough knowledge of marking criteria and examination specifications to offer expert advice on assessment and examination preparation.