Teacher of English

Welcome to Nuneaton Academy, where transformation and the pursuit of excellence are at the heart of our educational journey. We are a dedicated team that strives to bring out 'the best in everyone.' Guided by Our Nuneaton Norms, we are committed to creating a learning environment that is not only academically enriching but also emotionally supportive.

United Learning is a large, and growing, group of schools aiming to offer a life-changing education to children and young people across England. United Learning schools work as a team and achieve more by sharing than any single school could. The subject specialists, Group-wide intranet, own curriculum, and online learning portal all help us share knowledge and resources, helping to simplify work processes and manage workloads for an improved work-life balance. As a Group, we can reward our staff better: with good career opportunities, better pay, benefits, and ultimately, the satisfaction of helping children to succeed. We invest in our staff wellbeing. Our academies each have at least eight INSET days per year (with three of those solely dedicated to planning), and an ongoing group-wide wellbeing programme. It’s an ethos we call ‘the best in everyone.’

We are working hard to become a more diverse organisation – which is key to our commitment to bringing out the best in everyone. We welcome applications from everyone committed to this ethos and would particularly welcome applications from black and minority ethnic candidates, who are currently under-represented in the Group as a whole. We always appoint on merit, and we are open to discussing flexible working options.

United Learning is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All positions are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online check.

The post-holder will contribute to the development of a strong, effective academy with an emphasis on promoting a culture of educational excellence within a caring and secure environment enriched with the values of discipline, mutual care and respect which extends beyond the academy into the wider community. The post-holder will share and support the academy and United Learning’s ethos and culture toward providing and monitoring opportunities for personal and academic growth and support the Head of Department.

Qualifications

• Degree level qualification
• Postgraduate professional Qualification e.g. Postgraduate Certificate in Education

Communication

• Treat students with dignity, building relationships rooted in mutual respect and, at all times, observing proper boundaries appropriate to a teacher’s professional position;
• Have regard to the need to safeguard students’ well-being, in accordance with statutory provisions;
• Show tolerance of and respect for the rights of others;
• Uphold and promote British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs;
• Ensure that personal beliefs are not expressed in ways which exploit students’ vulnerability or might lead them to break the law;
• Have a proper and professional regard for the ethos, policies and practice of the school in which they teach, and maintain high standards in their own attendance and punctuality;
• Have an understanding of, and always act within, the statutory frameworks which set out their professional duties and responsibilities.

Role Summary

• Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge students
• Establish a safe and stimulating environment for students, rooted in mutual respect;
• Set goals that stretch and challenge students of all backgrounds, abilities and dispositions;
• Demonstrate consistently the positive attitudes, values and behaviour which are expected of students.

Promote good progress and outcomes by students

• Be accountable for students’ attainment, progress and outcomes;
• Plan teaching to build on students’ capabilities and prior knowledge;
• Guide students to reflect on the progress they have made and their emerging needs;
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how students learn and how this impacts on teaching;
• Encourage students to take a responsible and conscientious attitude to their own work and study.

Demonstrate good subject and curriculum knowledge

• Have a secure knowledge of the relevant subject(s) and curriculum areas, foster and maintain students’ interest in the subject and address misunderstandings;
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of developments in the subject and curriculum areas, and promote the value of scholarship;
• Demonstrate an understanding of and take responsibility for promoting high standards of literacy, articulacy and the correct use of standard English, whatever the teacher’s specialist subject.

Plan and teach well-structured lessons

• Impart knowledge and develop understanding through effective use of lesson time;
• Promote a love of learning and children’s intellectual curiosity;
• Set homework and plan out-of-class activities to consolidate and extend the knowledge and understanding students have acquired;
• Reflect systematically on the effectiveness of lessons and approaches to teaching;
• Contribute to the design and provision of an engaging curriculum within the relevant subject area(s).

Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all students

• Have a secure understanding of how a range of factors can inhibit students’ ability to learn and how best to overcome these;
• Demonstrate an awareness of the physical, social and intellectual development of children, and know how to adapt teaching to support students’ education at different stages of development;
• Have a clear understanding of the needs of all students, including those with special educational needs; those with high ability; those with English as an additional language; those with disabilities; and be able to use and evaluate distinctive teaching approaches to engage and support them;
• Know when and how to differentiate appropriately, using approaches which enable.

Make accurate and productive use of assessment

• Know and understand how to assess the relevant subject and curriculum areas, including statutory assessment requirements;
• Make use of formative and summative assessment to secure students’ progress;
• Use relevant data to monitor progress, set targets, and plan subsequent lessons;
• Give students regular feedback, both orally and through accurate marking, and encourage students to respond to the feedback.

Manage behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment

• Have clear rules and routines for behaviour in classrooms, and take responsibility for promoting good and courteous behaviour both in classrooms and around the school, in accordance with the school’s behaviour policy;
• Have high expectations of behaviour, and establish a framework for discipline with a range of strategies, using praise, sanctions and rewards consistently and fairly;
• Manage classes effectively, using approaches which are appropriate to students’ needs in order to involve and motivate them;
• Maintain good relationships with students, exercise appropriate authority and act decisively where necessary.

Fulfil wider professional responsibilities

• Make a positive contribution to the wider life and ethos of the school;
• Develop effective professional relationships with colleagues, knowing how and when to draw on advice and specialist support;
• Take responsibility for improving teaching through appropriate professional development, responding to advice and feedback from colleagues;
• Communicate effectively with parents with regard to students’ achievements and well-being.

Specific to the post

• Contribute to the development of courses and schemes of work;
• To use student data to plan lessons to meet the needs of the students;
• To mark and assess students’ work and to record their development, progress and attainment;
• To develop effective teaching and learning strategies to raise attainment;
• To monitor the progress of students including those in the tutor group;
• To maintain an attractive and stimulating classroom environment, and to contribute to displays in the school as a whole;
• To use ICT and in particular the VLE in raising the quality of teaching and learning;
• To take part in whole school reviews of policy and aims, and in the revision of formulation of guidelines.

The post-holder will require an enhanced DBS check. To be fully aware of and understand the duties and responsibilities arising from the Children’s Act 2004 and Working Together in relation to child protection and safeguarding children and young people as this applies to the worker’s role within the organisation, and the principles of safeguarding.

Our hard-working young people deserve an excellent education. Be part of one of the most transformational school improvement journeys in the country. Embrace the chance to foster a culture of aspiration, determination, and unwavering dedication, where your leadership will play a pivotal role in bringing out 'the best in everyone.'

We firmly believe that every child deserves an exceptional education that prepares them for a fulfilling future. Together, we will create an inclusive, supportive, and stimulating learning environment that empowers our pupils to achieve excellence. Our Nuneaton Norms serve as the foundational principles of student culture and guide our transformative journey at Nuneaton Academy.

We are RESPECTFUL, showing kindness and courtesy at all times. At Nuneaton Academy, we believe that a respectful and kind environment is essential for fostering positive relationships and creating a supportive atmosphere. We encourage our students to embody kindness and courtesy in all interactions.

We are RESPONSIVE, following instructions right away, without question. We instil in our students the importance of embracing challenges head-on and following instructions promptly.

We are RESOLUTE, showing determination through hard work. Determination is the driving force behind achievement. We encourage our students to approach their studies and extracurricular activities with unwavering resolve.

United Learning values diversity and inclusion and is committed to creating and sustaining a more diverse workforce. We welcome applications from professionals of minority ethnic origin and from majority ethnic professionals who share our commitment to inclusion and diversity.