What skills and experience we're looking for
The successful candidate will:-
• demonstrate the skills of a good teacher
• be able to interest, encourage and engage students
• provide appropriate levels of challenge so that all students make good progress
• use methods and resources that enable all students to learn effectively
• use assessment information effectively to plan the next steps in students learning
• make effective use of their time
• secure consistently high standards of behaviour from students
• be able to demonstrate a proven track record of recent and successful class teaching in mixed ability classes of aged 11-18 students (or of successful completion of initial teacher training if applying as an ECT).
What the school offers its staff
At SRWA, our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with wellbeing support, coaching, mentoring and a wide range of top-quality training and CPD programmes delivered at every level up to senior leadership.
SRWA teaching staff benefit from the following:-
• a collaborative approach and strong collegial relationships;
• the opportunity to join and/or benefit from Action Research Groups;
• proven student progress and excellent student behaviour;
• an established STEM group including work with RICARDO Engineering, a world leading company supporting SRWA
• an extensive CPD programme tailored to skills and experience;
• strong links with Brighton and Sussex Universities;
• free employee assistance programme, dedicated staff wellbeing space and 1-1 mental health booster sessions available;
• free use of the Academy’s fitness suite;
• free on site car parking and easy access to local public transport;
• cycle to work scheme;
• free flu jabs.
Further details about the role
We are seeking an English Teacher with thorough subject knowledge and an ambitious outlook to join the English department from September 2025 (or earlier if available). This is an incredible opportunity to join an excellent team of teachers who are passionate about their subject and excited about the future outcomes of their students. We welcome applications from colleagues (with QTS) at all stages of their career, including ECTs, who are committed to raising achievement in English. This is a permanent and full time position.
Staff in English form a dynamic team with a strong shared purpose, and there are high expectations for all, with students taught in mixed attainment groups throughout key stages 3 & 4. Lessons in English expose students to the best writing and the best ideas, with a diverse range of texts, including dystopian short stories by Ray Bradbury; contemporary YA fiction such as ‘Dear Martin', Romantic poetry and Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night’. Students are offered a text rich curriculum, that prioritises reading for pleasure and progress, but opportunities for writing, both analytically and creatively, punctuate the lessons.
Students in our sixth form, 'W6', take English Literature at A Level, with opportunities to attend theatre productions of set texts and relevant literary conferences. Students are encouraged to develop their English skills outside of the classroom, with an extra-curricular offer that includes creative writing and debate club.
The English department is housed in our modern building with visualisers in every classroom. At the heart of the Academy is the library, which is an accessible resource for all students and staff as we grow a love of reading in the student body. The Accelerated Reader programme was introduced in September 2013 and continues to be an effective tool in developing a reading culture at Key Stage 3 with the addition of Bedrock vocabulary to strengthen literacy skills at home.
Commitment to safeguarding
Woodard Academies Trust and The Sir Robert Woodard Academy are wholly committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people; we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment will be conditional upon satisfactory safeguarding and vetting checks, carried out in line with the DfE’s Keeping Children Safe in Education regulations. These include an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (including Barred List), references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.