Lead Practitioner for Personal Development, Character Education and Careers in Colchester

What skills and experience we're looking for:

• Qualified Teacher Status (primary or secondary) and a strong understanding of PSHE, RSE, Character Education, CEIAG statutory guidance and the Gatsby Benchmarks.
• Outstanding classroom practice and the ability to support and develop staff through coaching, training and sharing of best practice.
• Proven experience of leading whole‐school initiatives, holding others to account and evaluating impact to raise standards and improve outcomes.
• Excellent interpersonal, organisational and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with students, parents/carers, colleagues and external partners.
• A strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, student wellbeing and safeguarding.

Personal Qualities:

• Applicants should be hardworking, enthusiastic and committed to delivering high‐quality Personal Development and Careers education for students in Years 7 to 13.
• They will be reflective practitioners with high integrity, a collaborative approach and a willingness to engage in ongoing professional development.
• Leadership experience, including motivating and line‐managing staff, is essential.

What the school offers its staff:

• Annual salary will be in accordance with the academy Teachers' Pay Scale within the Leadership Pay Scale of L6 – L10 (starting at L6).
• Salaries are reviewed by national negotiation with effect from 1 September each year.
• Progression is subject to a satisfactory annual performance development review process.
• A highly supportive and friendly working environment.
• Cycle‐to‐work Scheme.
• 24/7 Free Employee Assistance Programme (providing individual support, information and advice including financial, legal and home‐life and work‐related issues).
• CPD opportunities and Internal Promotion.
• Up to 25% Gym Membership.
• Free staff car park.
• Essex Working Well Wellbeing Service (health and wellbeing support and guidance).
• Access to Workplace Health Champions.
• Access to Mental Health First Aiders.
• Healthcare cash plan.

Further details about the role:

We are seeking to appoint a permanent full‐time Lead Practitioner for Personal Development (PSHE), Character Education (CE) and Careers with effect from 1 September 2026 to join our Senior Leadership Team. The postholder will provide strategic and operational leadership across both campuses.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the postholder will attend SLT meetings, contribute to the SLT duty rota, and support key academy events, including careers events (e.g., Careers Fair, options and progression events), as required.

The postholder will lead the Personal Development curriculum (PSHE/RSE), Character Education and impartial Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) for Key Stages 3–5, ensuring high‐quality teaching, learning and assessment; driving continuous improvement; and supporting all students to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes needed for success in education, employment and adult life.

Key elements of the role:

• Strategic leadership of Personal Development (PSHE/RSE), Character Education and Careers/CEIAG, ensuring policies, curriculum and practice align with the academy's vision, values and statutory guidance.
• Delivering high‐quality, impartial 1:1 CEIAG (up to 10 hours per week) for learners, including students with SEND, and coordinating careers activities to meet the Gatsby Benchmarks and the Quality in Careers Standard.
• Working with senior and middle leaders to design, implement and refine a coherent Personal Development and Careers programme (KS3–KS5), including assemblies, tutor time, enrichment and extra‐curricular provision.
• Maintaining up‐to‐date expertise in statutory guidance (PSHE, RSE and Personal Development) and contributing to whole‐academy self‐evaluation and improvement planning.
• Monitoring and evaluating impact through lesson visits, work scrutiny and feedback from students, families and staff, using insight to inform ongoing refinement and targeted support.
• Building productive partnerships with local authorities, employers and community organisations to strengthen provision and share best practice.
• Fulfilling Senior Leadership Team responsibilities, including attendance at SLT meetings, completion of SLT duties, and active leadership/participation in key careers events across both campuses.

Pastoral:

All qualified and experienced full‐time teaching staff are expected to fulfil both an academic teaching role and a pastoral role in the academy and act as a tutor to a group of assigned students. This involves staff in all aspects of tutorial work including guidance, pastoral support, first‐level safeguarding, monitoring and encouraging progress, contact with parents, writing reports, compiling student references and the delivery of part of the academy's personal tutorial programme during the timetabled tutorial period. For a full‐time post, a firm commitment to this aspect of teaching is essential.

Wider Contribution:

Full‐time teaching staff may also have opportunities to contribute to the extra‐curricular programme. This can be very wide‐ranging and often enables staff to contribute particular skills and interests where they meet academy needs. Applicants should indicate any particular interests, and these would be discussed at the time of interview. This includes attendance at academy events and careers events, and undertaking SLT duties as required.

Commitment to safeguarding:

Plume Academy remains fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. All appointments are therefore subject to satisfactory DBS and immigration checks, together with the receipt of references and health clearances.