What skills and experience we're looking for
John Smeaton Academy are seeking to recruit an inspirational colleague to the role of Teacher of Horizons. Horizons is a Resource Provision which currently provides support and education for 28 pupils with a primary need in complex communication needs. Our pupils benefit from a curriculum which is tailored to their individual needs, enabling all pupils to reach their full potential, both academically and socially.
The successful applicant will be responsible for teaching and inspiring students across Key Stage 3 and 4 to achieve their potential within a range of foundation subjects as well as preparing for adulthood. This opportunity is open to both ECTs and Experienced Teachers.
The ideal applicant will have:
Either:
• A successful placement (s), teaching at KS3 & KS4 (applicants currently in training)
Or:
• A successful record teaching with very good exam results at one or more of KS3 & KS4 (applicants who have already gained QTS).
• A detailed knowledge of current developments in education including the use of Pupil Premium.
• The ability to put vision into practice.
What the school offers its staff
As a trust, we want to ensure that professionals at every stage in their career have the opportunity to enjoy expert support and training. We are pleased to offer a generous benefits package to our team – as we work together to create a rewarding future for all including:
• Membership to a local government pension scheme.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential professional advice and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• A commitment to continued investment in our professionals, supporting every member of staff throughout their career in the trust.
• Discounts and online offers at major high street/online retailers.
• £2k Cycle to work scheme.
Further details about the role
About us:
On 1 September 2021 John Smeaton Academy joined The GORSE Academies Trust, an organisation renowned for excellence in education. The trust has a nationally recognised track record of transforming inadequate schools and making them great again, or for the first time in their history. Consequently, this role represents an incredibly exciting opportunity for any candidate who is eager to be a part of an organisation that seeks to secure the very highest educational standard for every student. We are determined to ensure students at John Smeaton Academy are inspired to ‘Secure the Gift of Choice’ and we expect any successful candidate to be passionate and tenacious in their quest for all round academic and pastoral excellence. As part of our exceptional work to date, Ofsted recognised that our academy is ‘Good’ in all areas in April/May 2024.
A unique opportunity to be part of an academy that is a Beacon for its community!
In addition, Horizons was specifically mentioned:
‘The Horizons resource provision is a vibrant, supportive environment with a tailored curriculum that focuses on teaching and reinforcing important principles and beliefs alongside academic subjects. The work that the school does to support all pupils with SEND is testament to their commitment to inclusive education.’
In 2019 John Smeaton Academy’s performance data placed it as the lowest performing secondary school in the city of Leeds and one of the worst performing in the country. It is fair to say that John Smeaton Academy was a school whose performance for many years was unconvincing, resulting in the community losing confidence in the school.
The academy has already improved significantly as evidenced by parent/carer and student feedback alongside the day-to-day experience of the students.
If you would like to know more about John Smeaton Academy and more specifically Horizons, please visit our website at
How to Apply:
If you’re as excited about this role as we are, a Job Description / Person Specification and Application Form are available to download from The GORSE Academies Trust website ( by email to enquiries@johnsmeatonacademy.org.uk or by telephone on 0113 8313900.
PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will be shortlisted and invited to interview while this advert remains live, if a successful candidate is found the advert will be withdrawn. We therefore strongly encourage you to apply as soon as possible so you do not miss out on this fantastic opportunity.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.