Senior Leader for Language and Literacy Development

Do you have what it takes to provide high quality teaching and learning for our children and young people?  

Would you class yourself as a compassionate, collaborative, and ambitious practitioner with the determination to make a difference? 

Woodlands School is seeking a highly motivated and experienced senior leader with a background as either a primary specialist or secondary English specialist. The successful candidate will lead our school’s approach to Speech, Language, and Communication (SLC), encompassing Literacy, Oracy, Reading, and Writing. This cross-phase role is central to our commitment to creating an inclusive, learner-cantered culture where all learners feel they belong and can achieve. Through both curriculum leadership and the integration of educational technology, the post holder will drive excellence and equity in language and literacy development, supporting learners across all phases.

This is an exciting time for us as we progress our quality of education to “good” matching all other judgements of “good” in our recent inspection. We are proud of the distance travelled and we want you to join us for the next phase of our journey.

You will be unflappable, have a sense of humour, and be utterly committed to the children in your care. Woodlands is an amazing place to work, and our learners need someone who is not afraid to have high expectations of what they can achieve academically and socially and will never let that standard drop. You will have a strong sense of fairness and know that you are a catalyst to change children’s lives.

Leadership Pay Scale L5-9 or L10-L15 (Scale dependent upon experience)

1.0 FTE

Permanent

To start April 2025

To be successful, you will:  

• Have considerable experience of leading English at primary and / or secondary phase.

• Be an inspirational leader with passion, drive, and a commitment to consistently lead and deliver outstanding teaching in English.

• Have the ability to develop and lead the school’s reading strategy, ensuring pupils make progress in their reading.

• Demonstrate an excellent understanding of the importance of speech, language and communication development for children and young people to be successful leaners.

• Be able to lead and build teachers’ confidence to engage our young people with the curriculum

• Help guide teachers to ensure our young people develop the stamina and resilience that comes from engaging them in challenging tasks

• Have the patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations.

• Be flexible and open to change.

• Be able to develop a flexible range of teaching strategies with our team of teachers

• Understand that students take individual and multiple pathways in their learning

Why this leadership role above others? 

Come and make a difference to the life chances of our young people.

Woodlands is a special school for pupils who have social, emotional and mental health needs. We are proud of the high expectations and aspirations we set for every child and young person, providing an inspiring environment where everyone can learn and achieve.  

We provide ambitious and exciting opportunities through well-designed and individualised curriculum packages.

You will be part of a highly effective, supportive team who readily share best practice amongst the team.

You will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with individual children, young people and their parents. You will find each day rewarding, making the difference, and providing support and nurture for children and parents alike.

You will join us in celebrating success and encouraging all our young people to develop broader life skills, investing in them as a whole child. 

We are incredibly proud of the achievements of all our pupils and trust that you will feel the same as we work together to ensure the successful future for them.

We offer: 

• Excellent professional learning and support at every stage in your career, with opportunity for continued personal development through our Talent Pathway

• Career development opportunities including funded NPQs

• Excellent resources and facilities

• Significant leadership time on your timetable.

• A core belief in staff wellbeing and work life balance for all, evidenced in policy and practice

• Benefits including funded counselling, physiotherapy and GP and other medical support 

• As a school in the Marches Academy Trust teachers have opportunities to engage with staff across the Trust to support and collaborate with peers and colleagues in sharing the expertise across our family of 11 schools.

If you are interested in this post and would like the opportunity to visit the school, or if you have any queries, please contact Lisa Dugmore (Business Manager) on 01939 232372 / Lisa.Dugmore@wdl.mmat.co.uk . 

Lisa will be more than happy to help

To apply for the post, please visit our online recruitment site via 

https://themarchesacademytrust.face-ed.co.uk/vacancies

(Please note we do not accept CVs). 

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 15th January 2025

Interview Date: Week commencing: Monday 20th January 2025

The Marches Academy Trust values each person equally. We are building a diverse team and embedding a welcoming, inclusive culture that encourages diversity and authenticity. We believe this will encourage creative ways of thinking – ensuring we collaborate more effectively and achieve better outcomes. 

We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in our care and expect all staff to embrace this. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to declare any criminal convictions and will be subject to online checks. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.

We positively welcome applicants from all qualified candidates who share our ethos.