Head of English/Literacy Lead in Ipswich

Centre Academy East Anglia is a small SEN School and is a vibrant and inclusive educational institution dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing environment for our students.

Responsibilities – Head of Department

• To lead and develop the learning of all students and teachers in the subject to ensure excellence.
• To motivate and to work with others to create and develop a positive, collaborative learning culture.
• To keep up to date with general and facility based pedagogical approaches to teaching and learning, actively implementing them where appropriate including the delivery of INSET to those within and outside of the faculty.
• To organise and run events to promote reading, writing and speaking to the whole school community.
• To determine, organise and implement a diverse, flexible, challenging and differentiated curriculum and to ensure an effective assessment framework is implemented.
• To provide regular coaching and feedback for subject area teachers in a way which recognises good practice and supports progress against their targets.
• To support, facilitate and monitor the progress of the designated subject area development plans to ensure they make a significant contribution to the School Improvement Plan.
• To effectively distribute tasks throughout the faculty ensuring and monitoring their successful completion.
• To chair department meetings with a focus on teaching and learning, ensuring a detailed agenda and minutes are produced and distributed in a timely manner.
• To provide regular progress updates to SMT to ensure they are fully aware of all successes, issues and concerns in the subject areas.
• To manage your own workload and that of others in the faculty to allow for the appropriate work/life balance.
• A coherently planned and sequenced curriculum in English.
• Improve standards of learning and achievement for all.
• Consistent assessment and accurate teacher judgements within the subject.
• Effective use of resources.
• To meet regularly with the SMT for Teaching and Learning on a half-termly basis.
• To update SMT and Head of School on a half termly basis.
• To oversee and ensure that suitable cover work is provided.
• To line manage and mentor members of the department and to feedback to head of school in regular meetings.

Responsibilities – Teaching and Learning

• Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils.
• Develop effective teaching and learning strategies.
• Promote and monitor the use of school policies within the subject.
• Contribute to school improvement and self-evaluation planning, including creating subject action plans and evaluating the effectiveness of the subject.
• Use extensive, up-to-date subject knowledge to lead English/literacy across the school and keep up to date with developments in pedagogy and the curriculum.
• Oversee the planning of curriculum content, ensuring it is well sequenced to promote pupil progress.
• Ensure the planned curriculum is effectively and consistently implemented across the school.
• Work with teachers and other subject leads to build links between the English curriculum/literacy skills and the wider curriculum.
• Promote a high standard of speaking, listening, writing and reading of English among colleagues.

Contact

Please contact Lisa Gilbert, Head of School, by calling 01449 736404. To apply, email admin@centreacademy.uk for an application form and a full Job Description and Job Specification. Closing date: 3 July 2026. Applicants are required to attend a face-to-face interview, reference checks, and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance is required for this position prior to commencement. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. CAEA is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.