Job Description
Subject Leader – English
We are a high performing school and have a relentless focus on high standards in all that we do. We have a total belief that every student can be successful regardless of their starting point and we have a strong culture of excellence to achieve this. Students make exceptional progress during their time at Paddington and we are consistently in the top 1% of schools in the country for student progress.
We ensure that our classrooms are disruption-free so our teachers can focus on the main thing – teaching and learning. We have effective behaviour systems in place which means that behaviour is well-managed and teacher time is protected. We are renowned for the positive environment and strong relationships between staff and students. We like to keep messages and systems simple and aim to reduce workload by doing so.
Paddington Academy is a mixed Academy for 1,200 students aged 11-18. The Academy was recently judged to be outstanding by OFSTED in March 2026 maintaining its outstanding judgement from 2011. Paddington has been described by the Education Minister as a ‘jewel in the crown of state education’. Our thriving and oversubscribed Academy also has a large Sixth Form with over 300 students. Students excel in our Sixth Form and achieve exceptional outcomes which enables them to achieve their next step which for the vast majority of students is university. +5% of students went to university, with 45% gaining a place at a Russell Group university in 2026.
We are seeking an ambitious and experienced middle leader, or an outstanding teacher ready for their next challenge, to lead our highly successful and ‘Outstanding’ English department.
English is a high-performing subject at Paddington Academy, with strong results that have been improving over time. Our end of KS4 Progress 8 score is above the national average. Our students value and enjoy English, and we are committed to ensuring they develop both a deep appreciation of literature and strong literacy skills that prepare them for future success.
We are proud of our well-structured and coherent English curriculum. To ensure it best serves our students, we continuously review and refine our curriculum – thinking carefully about what we teach and why. This year we have expanded our curriculum to expose students to a broader range of literary texts and forms. For example, we have introduced new poetry units at Key Stage 3 to strengthen students’ analytical skills and prepare them for the demands of Key Stage 4.
At Paddington Academy, the teaching of English is research-informed and rooted in strong pedagogy. The department engages in weekly ‘Curriculum Masterclasses’ to share expertise, develop subject knowledge and collaboratively engage in lesson planning. This year, curriculum masterclasses have been used to plan how we teach core texts to support students to develop their initial ideas and deepen their analysis.
As Subject Leader for English, you will have the opportunity to shape the curriculum, oversee its implementation, and develop high-quality resources and teaching materials. You will lead and inspire a dedicated team, supporting the development of both experienced teachers and trainees.
As a middle leader at Paddington Academy, you will be empowered to drive change, set strategic priorities, and shape the teaching of your subject. You will have the autonomy to refine curriculum design, implement research-led teaching strategies, and ensure consistently high standards of delivery across all key stages. Your leadership will directly impact student outcomes, fostering a culture of excellence and a love of English. Subject Leaders at Paddington also benefit from access to a national network of English subject leaders across United Learning, providing opportunities for collaboration, professional learning, and the sharing of best practice on a broader scale.
Paddington Academy is the lead school for United Teaching national SCITT and is a designated Teaching School Hub, so you will be able to access high-quality training at every stage of your career. We are fully committed to teacher and leadership development and training.
The ideal candidate will:
• Be passionate about their subject
• Be committed to continually improving their teaching and learning;
• Be committed to our ethos of high expectations
• Have the belief that every student can be successful
• Have the desire to make a real difference to the lives of our students
• Have experience of leading a Teaching and Learning initiative in their department
• Have excellent understanding of curriculum in their subject
• Have excellent subject knowledge and understanding of subject pedagogy
• Have evidence of excellent student attainment
• Keep up to date with current educational research
• Be a team player able to work effectively with colleagues across the organisation
We are a high performing school and have a relentless focus on high standards in all that we do. We have a total belief that every student can be successful regardless of their starting point and we have a strong culture of excellence to achieve this. Students make exceptional progress during their time at Paddington and we are consistently in the top 1% of schools in the country for student progress.
We ensure that our classrooms are disruption-free so our teachers can focus on the main thing – teaching and learning. We have effective behaviour systems in place which means that behaviour is well-managed and teacher time is protected. We are renowned for the positive environment and strong relationships between staff and students. We like to keep messages and systems simple and aim to reduce workload by doing so.
Paddington Academy is a mixed Academy for 1,200 students aged 11-18. The Academy was recently judged to be outstanding by OFSTED in March 2026 maintaining its outstanding judgement from 2011. Paddington has been described by the Education Minister as a ‘jewel in the crown of state education’. Our thriving and oversubscribed Academy also has a large Sixth Form with over 300 students. Students excel in our Sixth Form and achieve exceptional outcomes which enables them to achieve their next step which for the vast majority of students is university. +5% of students went to university, with 45% gaining a place at a Russell Group university in 2026.
We are seeking an ambitious and experienced middle leader, or an outstanding teacher ready for their next challenge, to lead our highly successful and ‘Outstanding’ English department.
English is a high-performing subject at Paddington Academy, with strong results that have been improving over time. Our end of KS4 Progress 8 score is above the national average. Our students value and enjoy English, and we are committed to ensuring they develop both a deep appreciation of literature and strong literacy skills that prepare them for future success.
We are proud of our well-structured and coherent English curriculum. To ensure it best serves our students, we continuously review and refine our curriculum – thinking carefully about what we teach and why. This year we have expanded our curriculum to expose students to a broader range of literary texts and forms. For example, we have introduced new poetry units at Key Stage 3 to strengthen students’ analytical skills and prepare them for the demands of Key Stage 4.
At Paddington Academy, the teaching of English is research-informed and rooted in strong pedagogy. The department engages in weekly ‘Curriculum Masterclasses’ to share expertise, develop subject knowledge and collaboratively engage in lesson planning. This year, curriculum masterclasses have been used to plan how we teach core texts to support students to develop their initial ideas and deepen their analysis.
As Subject Leader for English, you will have the opportunity to shape the curriculum, oversee its implementation, and develop high-quality resources and teaching materials. You will lead and inspire a dedicated team, supporting the development of both experienced teachers and trainees.
As a middle leader at Paddington Academy, you will be empowered to drive change, set strategic priorities, and shape the teaching of your subject. You will have the autonomy to refine curriculum design, implement research-led teaching strategies, and ensure consistently high standards of delivery across all key stages. Your leadership will directly impact student outcomes, fostering a culture of excellence and a love of English. Subject Leaders at Paddington also benefit from access to a national network of English subject leaders across United Learning, providing opportunities for collaboration, professional learning, and the sharing of best practice on a broader scale.
Paddington Academy is the lead school for United Teaching national SCITT and is a designated Teaching School Hub, so you will be able to access high-quality training at every stage of your career. We are fully committed to teacher and leadership development and training.
The ideal candidate will:
• Be passionate about their subject
• Be committed to continually improving their teaching and learning;
• Be committed to our ethos of high expectations
• Have the belief that every student can be successful
• Have the desire to make a real difference to the lives of our students
• Have experience of leading a Teaching and Learning initiative in their department
• Have excellent understanding of curriculum in their subject
• Have excellent subject knowledge and understanding of subject pedagogy
• Have evidence of excellent student attainment
• Keep up to date with current educational research
• Be a team player able to work effectively with colleagues across the organisation
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Subject Leader - English position is now open for candidates interested in the Teacher Jobs sector. This role in London offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Teacher Jobs is a plus.
