Deputy Director of Learning - English in Burnley

About Highfield Leadership Academy

Highfield Leadership Academy is a state‑of‑the‑art secondary school for 11 to 16 year olds in Blackpool. We joined Star Academies in 2016 and, like all Star schools, we have a leadership specialism. We are a rapidly improving school with high ambitions and expectations for all of our pupils. We provide a knowledge‑based academic curriculum alongside a rich and diverse leadership programme that grows character and inspires charitable and social action. Our pursuit of educational excellence is based upon our fundamental belief that every pupil has the capacity to become a successful and inspirational leader.

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for a Deputy Director of Learning for English with a proven track record of success in improving standards and raising pupil outcomes. We want to hear from talented middle leaders looking to extend their experience, and outstanding, ambitious teachers seeking their first middle leadership post. As an experienced teacher, you will develop an exciting curriculum that suits every type of learner and have the resolve to make a real difference to the lives of our young people. The successful candidate will be a committed team player with excellent organisational and motivational skills.

You will be able to demonstrate the ability to lead a successful faculty drawing on your extensive teaching and leadership experience. As a Star middle leader, you’ll join the Star Academies family, a high‑performing and supportive network of primary and secondary schools with some of the best leaders in education.

You will have:

• A degree‑level qualification and Qualified Teacher Status.
• The ability to teach to GCSE standard.
• The ability to coach and motivate colleagues to achieve individual and collective targets.
• Experience of sustained delivery of outstanding attainment and achievement.
• Experience of innovation and creativity to engage, enthuse and progress learners.

About Star Academies

Star Academies is a high‑performing multi‑academy trust that runs more than 30 primary and secondary schools. We are a values‑based organisation that works to improve the life chances of young people in areas of social and economic deprivation to help them succeed at the highest levels of education, employment and the professions. Every single day you’ll be rewarded with the opportunity to shape a young person’s future – our STAR values embody what we believe is needed to succeed.

Professional development is key to our ongoing success, so we continually invest in our employees through our professional development hub, Star Talent Academy. With a wealth of training, mentoring and progression opportunities across a large, growing group of academies, joining our team of leading education experts could propel your career to the next level.

We can also offer you a range of rewards and benefits, including competitive salaries and pension schemes, generous holiday entitlements and healthcare cash plans.

Key Dates

Closing Date: Sunday, 17 May 2026 at midnight.
Interview Date: To be confirmed.
Proposed Start Date: Tuesday, 1 September 2026.

Our Commitment

Star Academies is committed to safeguarding, safer recruitment and promoting the welfare of pupils. Our comprehensive recruitment and selection processes aim to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Successful candidates are subject to rigorous pre‑employment checks. We are equally committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity. We aim for our workforce to be representative of society and that each employee feels respected and able to give their best. We are committed to providing equality and fairness in our recruitment and employment practices and not to discriminate on any grounds. We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.