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- Tasks: Lead and inspire English teaching while mentoring staff to elevate student outcomes.
- Company: Join Paxman Academy, a supportive community dedicated to building brighter futures.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent pension, health cash plan, and exclusive perks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives and foster a culture of collaboration.
- Qualifications: Qualified Teacher Status with a proven track record in secondary education.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development and a commitment to diversity.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Position Start Date: 01/09/2026
Contract Type: Full-time
Contract Term: Permanent
Application Close: 01/03/2026 Midnight
Date of Interviews: Friday 6th March 2026
Join a Team That is Committed to 'Building Brighter Futures' at Paxman Academy. Are you a collaborative professional who thrives in a supportive community? Ready to help students fulfil their full potential? At Paxman Academy, we're dedicated to creating an ordered, stimulating learning environment where every student is valued, respected, and encouraged to achieve their best.
We are pleased to announce the creation of a new Lead Practitioner: English role. This role represents a significant investment in our English Faculty and a new opportunity for an experienced educator to join our wider Teaching and Learning leadership team. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in ensuring that high-quality, research-informed pedagogy is consistent across the faculty and the wider school, directly influencing both student outcomes and the professional growth of our staff. This post is offered on a full time basis (100% FTE), though part time will be considered for the right candidate.
The Role
As a Lead Practitioner, you will balance a reduced teaching timetable with strategic responsibilities aimed at elevating standards of teaching and learning. This is a role for a practitioner who remains committed to classroom excellence while possessing the leadership capacity to mentor others.
Key responsibilities
- Pedagogical Leadership: Modelling outstanding, evidence-based practice and developing innovative schemes of learning that reflect the academy's curriculum intent.
- Strategic Research: Evaluating recent academic research and external evidence to inform faculty policy, particularly regarding the use of technology and assessment practices.
- Quality Assurance: Working alongside the Senior Leadership Team to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of teaching through structured observations, work sampling, and data analysis.
What We’re Looking For
Professional Expertise and Leadership
The ideal candidate will be an outstanding practitioner currently working in a secondary setting. You will possess the ability to lead and quality assure systems that guarantee the best outcomes for both students and staff. We are looking for a leader who can demonstrate:
- Strategic Use of Data: A proven ability to use national and local data to inform actions, evaluate progress, and raise student achievement.
- Staff Development: Significant experience in coaching, mentoring, and performance management, with the ability to support colleagues in refining their professional practice.
- Effective Change Management: The skills to form and lead high-impact teams, managing challenges effectively while maintaining a commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
- Operational Excellence: A high level of competence in planning, delegating tasks, and managing school resources effectively.
Qualifications
We are seeking a Qualified Teacher (QTS) with a proven track record of securing successful student outcomes at GCSE level.
Why Choose The Sigma Trust?
We believe in investing in our staff and fostering a culture of collaboration. We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive package designed to support your professional and personal life.
Professional Development
A robust CPD training program that empowers you to flourish. Unrivalled opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across the Trust, sharing ideas and building strong professional relationships.
Employee Benefits
A competitive salary and excellent pension scheme. A Health Cash Plan and Employee Assistance Programme for your well-being. Exclusive perks like the Cycle to Work scheme, discounted gym memberships, cinema tickets, and eligibility for a Blue Light Card.
Safeguarding & Diversity
The Sigma Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. All posts are subject to safer recruitment processes, including the disclosure of criminal records, online checks and other vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across our schools. The Sigma Trust is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of any protected characteristics. This is embedded in our vision 'To Be Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts', where we believe we are strong and more successful working together, creating a workplace which celebrates diversity.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your application by midnight on Sunday 1st March via My New Term. Interviews are scheduled for Friday 6th March. Please note that we reserve the right to close this advert early should we receive an overwhelming response. Candidates may be invited to interview prior to the closing date, so an early application is advised. We politely request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this vacancy.
Lead Practitioner - English in Colchester employer: Shorefields
Contact Detail:
Shorefields Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Practitioner - English in Colchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former staff at Paxman Academy through LinkedIn or other platforms. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the school culture and what they really value in a Lead Practitioner.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the latest educational research and trends in pedagogy. We want to show that we’re not just passionate about teaching but also up-to-date with innovative practices that can elevate student outcomes.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend or colleague to do a mock interview with us. This will help us articulate our experiences and how they align with the role, especially around mentoring and leading teams.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets seen. Plus, it shows we’re serious about joining the Paxman Academy team and contributing to their mission of building brighter futures.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Practitioner - English in Colchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Education: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for teaching and learning shine through. We want to see how you can inspire students and contribute to their success at Paxman Academy.
Be Specific About Your Experience: Highlight your relevant experience in teaching and leadership. Use examples that demonstrate your ability to improve student outcomes and mentor colleagues, as these are key aspects of the Lead Practitioner role.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the values and goals of Paxman Academy. Show us how your vision aligns with our commitment to building brighter futures for our students.
Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We encourage you to apply through our website as soon as possible, as we may close the advert early if we receive a lot of interest.
How to prepare for a job interview at Shorefields
✨Know Your Pedagogy
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest research-informed teaching practices. Be ready to discuss how you’ve implemented these in your classroom and how they’ve positively impacted student outcomes.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams or mentored colleagues in the past. Highlight specific instances where your leadership has resulted in improved teaching standards or student achievement.
✨Data-Driven Decisions
Familiarise yourself with how to use data effectively. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve used national and local data to inform your teaching strategies and evaluate progress in your previous roles.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Paxman Academy values a supportive community, so be ready to talk about how you’ve collaborated with others to create a positive learning environment. Share your experiences in building strong professional relationships and fostering inclusivity.
