Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre is well known for its exceptional initial teacher training provision: with a dedicated Teaching and Learning Hub for trainee teachers, expert subject mentors and a high track record of recruiting and retaining excellent trainee teachers. We work with a large variety of training providers and this year we are a pilot school for the new teacher degree apprenticeship.
Your opportunity
This new leadership position builds on these strong foundations to establish the GLF Teaching Hub in Oxfordshire and Reading and furthering our vision to be the ‘school of choice’ for teachers in Reading and beyond. The core purpose of this role is to lead the implementation of the Initial Teacher Training policy within Highdown, to manage a team of mentors and to induction and supervise all trainees within the school; and to lead on the development of the GLF Teaching Hub in Oxfordshire and Reading.
The Initial Teacher Training Lead will have a timetabled teaching commitment of 30 periods per fortnight (out of 50), complying with the Teachers’ Standards and modelling best practice for others.
What we are looking for
Recruitment
• Promote, organise and manage School Experience Days through the DfE portal, GLF Trust and Highdown’s own ‘Get into Teaching’ events.
• Participate in the recruitment processes for all trainee teacher pathways.
• Ensure all trainees meet the requirements for safeguarding pupils.
• Plan and lead induction processes for all trainee teachers.
• Attend University and College Careers Fairs to promote teaching and teacher training at Highdown School.
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
• Organise and ensure the quality of a school based professional studies programme.
• Contribute to the development of professional studies programmes organised by ITT providers through feedback and participation.
• Ensure representation at relevant ITTCo and Subject Mentor meetings held by ITT providers.
• Observe trainees at each report stage and provide written feedback.
• Monitor and contribute to the assessment of trainees’ progress towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• Work with the Head of Practice and Pedagogy to review and assess the quality of training and the ITT reports and provide challenge when necessary.
• Initiate support procedures when a trainee fails to meet the expected standard or if required to safeguard the learning of students.
• Initiate a formal ‘cause for concern’ where a training is a risk of failing to achieve QTS.
• Train and liaise with mentors to ensure trainees can work with other teachers and support staff across the school.
• Arrange for each trainee to be attached to a mentor group and work alongside the mentor.
• Arrange for each trainee to attend a primary school / second placement dependent on the requirements of the training provider.
Wider Responsibilities
• Support the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) by:
• Communicating the school’s vision compellingly and supporting the headteacher’s strategic leadership.
• Sitting on SLT Meetings, attending SLT Strategy days and attending daily SLT briefings.
• Establishing and reviewing policies associated with your role.
• Managing staff and resources associated with your role.
• Make sure the school effectively and efficiently operates within the required regulatory frameworks and meets all statutory duties
• Undertake duties including, but not limited to: lunch and break duty, detentions, supervision of the Bridge provision, learning walks etc.
• Line manage a curriculum area.
About Highdown School & Sixth Form Centre
Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre is a thriving school, established in 1971, where all students are challenged to reach excellence every day. Our most important resource is our staff. Therefore, we aim to create the conditions and culture within the academy that make Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre a rewarding place to work. We are committed to investing in staff professional learning and leadership development, taking action to rationalise workload, promote mental and physical health and wellbeing, and encourage collaboration and peer support.
Join the GLF Schools Community
As a part of GLF Schools, you will join a community of staff dedicated to transforming education. With regular progression discussions, there will be a wealth of opportunities for you to grow your career, whether in one of our 43 academies or in our central team.
● A growing Multi Academy Trust with over 2,000 colleagues and over 17,000 pupils
● Founded upon the values of Respect, Inclusivity, Integrity and Kindness
● 43 primary and secondary schools across 7 Local Authority areas across the south of England
● We work as a community whilst ensuring each school maintains its own unique identity
● Committed to ensuring all children and young people receive the best possible education
GLF Schools Employment Offer
GLF Schools has a generous employment offer, which allows all our colleagues to Grow, Learn and Flourish
● Access to our highly competitive Local Government Pension Scheme
● Flexible working options
● Generous holiday allowance
● Work life and family friendly policies
● Employee wellbeing initiatives
● Access to a staff benefits portal
● Community and collaboration working model
Please read the attached candidate pack for further information.
The Details
Start Date: September 2025
Salary: £57,831 to £62,202, depending on experience (Leadership Scale Point 7-10)
Closing Date: 9am on Monday 19th May 2025
Interview date: Wednesday 21st May 2025
Safeguarding Statement
GLF Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Employment is subject to a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
As a Trust, we are happy to discuss flexible working opportunities. GLF Schools recognises and celebrates the diversity of its schools and their communities. There is a shared commitment across the Trust to develop further a culture of respect, where discrimination is not tolerated, and individuals are treated equitably and fairly and feel a sense of belonging. We strive for an inclusive environment where staff, children and students are comfortable to express their own identity, should they wish, in which diversity and inclusion is of mutual benefit for everyone in our schools. We particularly welcome applicants from under-represented groups including those based on ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
We reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy at any time ahead of the closing date if there is a good level of response. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application as early as possible.
We also reserve the right to interview shortlisted candidates ahead of the closing date.
Please be advised that references may be requested on receipt of your application. Please state if you wish this to be delayed until shortlisting/interviews have taken place.