Head of English and Literacy

Head of English & Literacy Salary: Main/Upper Pay Scale (MPS/UPS) + SEN Allowance (£2,787) + TLR2a (£3,527) Contract: Full time, permanent Closing date: Tuesday 19th May, midday. Interviews: Friday 22nd May Starting date: September 2026 Arbour Academy is a specialist SEMH provision within the Kings Academy Trust, offering a small, nurturing environment for young people unable to access mainstream education. Supporting up to 65 learners, the academy provides a highly personalised approach to help pupils re-engage with education and achieve positive outcomes. We are committed to a trauma-informed and therapeutic approach, underpinned by strong relationships, consistency and high expectations. Pupils benefit from a broad and balanced curriculum, alongside a rich personal development offer and access to targeted pastoral and therapeutic support. As Head of English & Literacy, you will lead the English curriculum alongside a whole-school literacy strategy, ensuring all learners develop the reading, writing and communication skills needed to succeed. This includes oversight of phonics, reading development, writing across the curriculum and targeted literacy interventions. You will support and coach colleagues to deliver high-quality literacy teaching and interventions, while contributing to a safe, structured and inclusive environment where every learner can thrive. Key responsibilities · Lead the development of a high-quality English curriculum, including schemes of learning and resources accessible to non-specialists · Drive a whole-school literacy strategy, ensuring consistent approaches to reading and writing across all subjects · Oversee the implementation of phonics provision, ensuring targeted support for learners with gaps in early reading · Lead on reading development, including reading culture, assessment (e.g. reading ages) and intervention programmes · Lead on writing across the curriculum, supporting staff to develop pupils’ written communication in