Assistant Headteacher (with English Specialism)

As Assistant Headteacher with a focus on English, you will work closely with the Headteacher and other senior leaders to develop and implement strategies that improve student outcomes, support teacher development, and promote the delivery of an engaging and inspiring English curriculum.

• Develop and implement the English curriculum, ensuring it meets the needs of all students.
• Monitor and evaluate student progress, identifying areas for improvement and providing targeted support.
• Work collaboratively with other senior leaders to drive school-wide improvements and initiatives.
• Foster a culture of high expectations, achievement, and continuous professional development within the department.
• Promote reading, literacy, and a love for English both within and outside the classroom.
• Ensure the department’s resources and teaching practices are innovative, effective, and responsive to the changing needs of students.

• A qualified teacher with extensive experience in teaching English at Key Stage 3 and 4.
• Proven leadership experience, ideally in a middle or senior leadership role within a school.
• A deep understanding of the English curriculum and a commitment to delivering high standards of education.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• A passion for improving student outcomes and raising standards across the school.
• The ability to inspire and motivate staff and students alike.

At The Westleigh School, we place the utmost importance on the wellbeing and professional development of our staff. We believe that happy, supported educators are the key to unlocking the potential in our students. That's why we prioritise a healthy work-life balance, continuous professional growth, and a collaborative, nurturing environment.

We are proud to be a school that has enabled more staff than ever before to complete National Professional Qualifications (NPQs), and we remain fully committed to supporting ongoing development at every stage of a teacher’s career. Whether you're an early career teacher or an aspiring leader, we invest in your journey because we know that developing great teachers leads to great outcomes.

We are a school driven by excellence and innovation. As a fully digital school, every staff member and student is equipped with an iPad, allowing for creative, high-impact teaching strategies and interactive learning experiences. Our strong pastoral system, built around a thriving college model, fosters healthy competition, a deep sense of belonging, and a shared determination to be the best in all areas of school life.

At The Westleigh School, we don't just aspire to excellence—we create the conditions for it, empowering our staff and students to achieve their full potential together.

All candidates are required to provide a supporting statement on the formal application forms which states clearly your reasons for applying, skills and experience for this position.

Join Shaw Education Trust – Support, Teach, Lead… Make the Remarkable Happen.

At Shaw Education Trust, we believe every role holds the power to transform a life. Whether you're supporting behind the scenes, inspiring in the classroom, or leading with vision, you'll be part of something extraordinary.

We are a dynamic and growing family of Primary, Secondary, and Special Schools, proudly serving communities from Birmingham to Bury. Our mission is to unlock opportunity for every young person—whatever their background, ability, or starting point.

Our people are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their growth. Through high-quality training, apprenticeships, talent acceleration, and research opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive as skilled, confident professionals and we champion wellbeing, value every voice, and create a culture where you feel supported, motivated, and inspired to make a real difference.

You will join a collaborative network of schools where shared expertise and professional community fuel success. Every academy in our Trust has an equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital part in shaping tailored learning experiences that raise aspirations and build brighter futures.

At the heart of our work is a deep respect for the children and young adults we serve—our 'precious cargo'. We are proud to 'exactly like nothing else' and bridge the gap between education and the wider world, preparing every student for further education, employment, or training in inclusive environments where integrity, equality, and opportunity thrive.

If you have the heart, passion, and drive to help shape lives and create futures filled with promise, we would love you to join our incredible team.

Support. Teach. Lead. Belong. Thrive. Together, let's make the remarkable happen.

In our secondary schools, we pride ourselves on our innovative approach to curriculum design, to ensure all our schools have breadth and ambition for all students, regardless of their starting points and barriers.

Our secondary schools are currently driving PedTech across the sector: we believe teaching and technology should go hand-in-glove and are passionately committed towards providing a fully digitally enhanced curriculum. We are very close to achieving full 1:1 device delivery and are sprinting towards better use of iPads in lessons to enhance the experience and learning.

Shaw Education Trust offers the following employee benefits with your Teaching or Support Staff employment:

• An excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff) / Teachers Pension (Teaching Staff).
• Generous holiday entitlement from your first day of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years' service including Bank Holidays).
• Access to Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan: Enjoy health services designed to support your well-being.
• Free DiscountForTeachers Scheme for all staff (Support and Teaching), Exclusive discounts to save money with a wide selection of discounts and exclusive offers from hundreds of the biggest brands.
• Free Eye Tests.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Access to our Institute of Education and fantastic opportunities to help you grow, contribute and flourish in your role and in the Trust.

We know our people are the key to our success and so we're committed to ensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is a rewarding one.

Colleagues within the Trust benefit from:

• Access to a full range of courses both in-house and professionally accredited. These courses include a variety of the National Professional Qualifications and the Early Career Teacher Programme delivered by Shaw Education Trust as a delivery partner for Ambition Institute.
• Experienced leadership and subject-specific support.
• Guidance from former HMIs and serving Ofsted Inspectors within the Trust.
• Access to the Trust's Institute of Education and SCITT.
• Opportunities to work with different schools within the Trust as a Professional Advocate.
• Participating in peer reviews.
• Access to a suite of online courses.
• Placement projects within our family of schools.