English Teacher

We are an Ofsted Good with Outstanding leadership 11-16 academy, with state-of-the-art facilities, based in the steel city of Sheffield. We are delighted that in its latest report, Ofsted noted that ‘staff are very proud to be part of Outwood Academy City,’ and that our ‘staff appreciate the high-quality professional development opportunities they receive’ which we offer working closely with the wider Outwood Family.

Serving the bustling city of Sheffield, Outwood Academy City was constructed in 2011 with state-of-the-art facilities and joined Outwood Grange Academies Trust three years later. The school has undergone a huge transformation for its 1200 students, with an innovative curriculum and a personalised approach to learning enabling them to realise their vocational, practical, creative and academic abilities. This was recognised by Ofsted in February 2019, when the academy was judged ‘Good with Outstanding Leadership’. Inspectors noted that, “Leaders and teachers demonstrate high expectations for all pupils. They are determined that pupils achieve well in their subjects”. 

We believe this transformation is due to our knowledge-rich curriculum, designed to personalise learning for every student, and our exceptionally high standards, helping all students to reach their potential. We have won numerous awards as a school and are an IQM Centre of Excellence, which highlights that inclusion at all levels is of paramount importance to us. We are also proud to have been awarded the Gold Status by the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health Award.

As we continue to improve, help to take us to the next level.

Our English Department consists of ten teachers and two one-to-one tutors. The department is a combination of experienced staff and more recent entrants to the profession, and is given strategic direction by supportive and determined leaders. More experienced teachers will value the clear sense of purpose and organisation in the department and recently-trained colleagues will find it a rewarding place to start a career in English teaching.

Teaching takes place in the department’s ten classrooms. Every classroom has a visualiser and these are used extensively by the team. Some classrooms have large television screens and others interactive whiteboards. There is a library with a wide range of fiction to support students’ reading needs which is run by a full-time enthusiastic librarian. 

The department has created a rich and engaging KS3 curriculum organised around literary themes (for example, diversity, fantasy and identity) which are delivered through different units which develop knowledge in reading and writing as well as increasing cultural capital. Students study literature texts such as ‘Asha and the Spirt Bird’, ‘War of the Worlds’ and ‘The Crossing’. A wide range of poetry is embedded in all KS3 units and three Shakespearean texts are also delivered within the Key Stage.

The department uses Accelerated Reader in KS3 lessons, this is well embedded and has had a positive impact on the reading ages of our students. Other reading interventions are led by our one-to-one tutors and our specialist literacy teaching assistant. Currently we use the Ruth Miskin phonics programme to support emergent readers as well as Rapid Reader Plus. 

The programme of study is fully resourced with high-quality materials produced by staff across the trust who know this specification well. We aim to make all our teachers ‘experts’ in preparing students for GCSE examinations, using our thorough and systematic methods devised over many years. We have the benefit of support from the trust’s team of expert English directors, who provide support, materials, advice, coaching and who model and team-teach in lessons alongside us to develop our expertise.

We have a number of full-time vacancies available including two permanent positions and one maternity cover for the period 01 September 2024 to 31 August 2025 or when the employee returns to work (depending on which is sooner). Please state your preference in your application. 

This vacancy is being managed by our Recruitment Partner at Hays. If you wish to discuss this post or arrange a visit to the school, please contact Julia Peat our Recruitment Partner at Hays by using the expression of interest link below or call 0114 2721470 or 07514 308432.

Hays Expression of Interest Form

If a change of location is something you are looking for please click here.

To view the full job description please click here.

To view the person specification please click here.

For more information and to apply online, please click the apply button.

Closing date: Midday on 22 April 2024.

We reserve the right to close advertisements early. Advertisements will therefore close the day the decision has been taken to close the advertisement early.

Outwood Grange Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are made in accordance with safer recruitment practices and the statutory guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education. Online checks will be carried out on all shortlisted candidates, and all appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and checks regarding suitability to work with children.