Director of Learning - English - Full-time

Leigh Academy Mascalls , Paddock Wood

• Ref:KCC886-5439-287L
• Posted:14/05/2026
• Pay:Leadership Scale based on experience
• Start Date:September 2026
• App Close Date:31/05/2026 at 23:45
• Interviews:TBC

Advert

We are seeking an inspirational and ambitious Director of Learning for English to lead our high-performing department at Leigh Academy Mascalls and further develop our commitment to academic excellence. Following our very recent Ofsted inspection, where we achieved the best results in Mascalls’ history, this is an exceptionally exciting time to join the academy and become part of our continued success story.

In this vital role, you will champion a curriculum where mastery of language and a deep appreciation for literature are seen as the cornerstones of a transformative education, fostering a learning environment that is both intellectually rigorous and inclusive.

Our mission is to ensure every student develops the confidence to articulate their ideas and the empathy to engage with diverse perspectives through innovative teaching practices and a knowledge-rich approach. As Director of Learning, you will be responsible for inspiring a lifelong love of reading and equipping our students with the sophisticated literacy skills necessary to navigate and shape the world around them.

We are looking for a passionate subject specialist to work alongside our talented staff and vibrant community to ensure Mascalls remains a centre of excellence for the linguistic arts, where every learner is encouraged to find their voice and realise their full potential.

Why Teach at Leigh Academy Mascalls?

Working at Leigh Academy Mascalls offers a rewarding and dynamic experience for several key reasons:

• Strategic Departmental Leadership: You will have the autonomy to design and implement an ambitious and engaging English curriculum that inspires a love of literature, language and communication, supported by a collaborative department committed to academic excellence.

• Exceptional Professional Growth: As a leader within the Leigh Academies Trust, you will benefit from bespoke leadership development programmes and work closely with Trust Curriculum Teaching and Achievement Advisors to set new standards for excellence.

• Empowering a Supportive Team: Beyond teaching, you will mentor and develop a talented group of educators, fostering a culture built on teamwork, mutual respect, and shared professional ambition.

• Excellent Learning Environment: You will teach in a high-quality environment that supports engaging and inspiring English lessons, encouraging students to develop confidence in reading, writing and oracy.

• Driven by Student Success: The academy is resolutely committed to ensuring every student achieves their full potential. This creates a rewarding environment for educators passionate about inspiring the next generation through the power of language and literature.

Take the next step in your career: join us, inspire excellence, and become part of our success story!

Information about the school

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Leigh Academy Mascalls community. As a successful and popular academy, we provide our students with the opportunities within the classroom and beyond to develop into young people who will contribute positively to our local, national and global communities.

At Leigh Academy Mascalls, we offer an incredibly wide curriculum, there are twenty seven different subjects being taught at GCSE level and twenty nine subjects at A level. We are also proud to be an International Baccalaureate World School offering the Middle Years Programme in Years 7-9 which is designed to develop happy, inquisitive, rounded, independent, globally aware and resilient young people. Our co-curriculum offers an incredible eighteen lunchtime clubs and twenty one after school clubs alongside teams in football, netball, rugby, volleyball and many more.

We achieve academic excellence and promote the Arts, our Creative Arts National Area of Excellence develops the skills and confidence our students need to succeed through visual art, dance, drama and music. There really is an opportunity for everyone to be happy and succeed here and that underpins the very core of our purpose.

Whilst our academy is large, we support our students by breaking it down into smaller schools, known as colleges. Each college is roughly the size of the average primary school and is headed by a large and dedicated leadership team devoted to the academic and pastoral care of the students within it. We prioritise mental health and well being alongside academic achievement through our on-site provision of Place2be, offering full time individual and group therapy sessions for those who need it. In partnership with parents we work closely through the seven-year journey from the very first day to the confident, knowledgeable and disciplined individuals leaving our academy as young adults.

We have incredibly high expectations of behaviour. Our students are happy, they are polite and show respect. Our behaviour systems promote a discipline within our students that prepares them fully for the world beyond the academy. As an academy, as a community we achieve academic excellence, develop strength of individual character supported by our culture of aspiration and celebrating success. Our rewards system recognises the success of our students through achievement points, Golden Tickets, half colours and full colours. Achievement and progress are rewarded within every lesson.

Our recent OFSTED report confirmed that our Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school. They feel safe and are well looked after and there is very little disruption to learning and staff act quickly to deal with any that occurs.

What underpins all that we do is that we truly care, Leigh Academy Mascalls really is a community in the truest sense. Developing successful and happy young people requires a team, and strong and supportive communication between all members of our community is essential to ensure this. Our students are balanced and compassionate young people who care for one another and have pride in what we all achieve each and every day.

Thank you for reading and I hope we will be welcoming you to the Leigh Academy Mascalls community in the future.

Job Contact Information

• Name:Talent Team, Leigh Academies Trust
• Address:Carnation Road, Strood, Kent, ME2 2SX
• Telephone: 01634 412 258
• Email: Joinus@LATrust.org.uk

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

• Job Pack