At the Cedars Academy we believe in being kind, working hard, and taking responsibility. We believe school should be a calm, inclusive and safe place, where teachers can get on and teach, and pupils can get on and learn without disruption. We are seeking a passionate, committed and inspiring teacher to join our brilliant English team.

We are currently looking to recruit an:

English Teacher – on a temporary contract starting from 23 August 2024 – maternity cover up to one year.

Based at The Cedars Academy in Birstall, part of the Lionheart Educational Trust

Salary: Main or Upper Pay Range

Interview closing date: Wednesday 17 April 2024

We are delighted to offer the opportunity for a talented and inspirational Teacher of English to join a successful and innovative team from August 2024.

Formerly known as Longslade, The Cedars Academy has a long-standing reputation for delivering excellent education to the community of Birstall, just north of Leicester city centre. In 2015 the school gained academy status and joined the Lionheart Academies Trust (led by Beauchamp College, Oadby). This affords us the opportunity to regularly collaborate with colleagues from a wide range of secondary schools across Leicester city and Leicestershire.

In the English department it is our firm belief that our professional responsibility to imbue students with a love of reading. To this end we have designed and implemented an exciting English curriculum at Key Stages 3, 4 and 5. At Key Stage 3 topics and texts include:

• Epic poetry and classical narratives (including Homer’s Odyssey)

• 19th Century short stories (including ‘The Tell Tale Heart’ by Edgar Allan Poe and ‘The Signalman’ by Charles Dickens)

• Social and political protest poetry (including works by Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes and Tatamkhulu Afrika)

• War poetry (including works by Rupert Brooke, Wilfred Owen and Jessie Pope)

Across all our classes we promote quality education for all through a range of challenging but exciting texts which promote the breadth and beauty of literature. It is our hope to inspire students to continue their journey of study into Key Stage 5 where we offer two A-levels in English Literature (AQA Spec B) and English Language and Literature (AQA). Our GCSE results this year were the best we have ever seen with 80% of the cohort achieving a grade 4 or above in both English Language and English Literature. We also have a proven history of success at A-level with 50% of the 2022 cohort achieving grades A*-A.

The English Department at The Cedars Academy comprises 9 members of teaching staff which includes the Director of English across Lionheart Academies Trust. As a successful candidate you will have a well-equipped classroom and a supportive Senior Leadership Team.

If you would like to come and have a look round, to see us hard at work, don’t hesitate to make contact with our HR Team, to arrange a mutually agreeable time.

This post is designated as a regulated activity and requires enhanced criminal records check for a regulated activity (including a barred list check).

We encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close applications early if we receive a high volume of applicants.

The Trust strives to be a diverse and inclusive place where all staff have a seat at the table: a seat to be free, a seat to inspire, a seat to challenge and a seat to succeed.

We currently have staff networks for staff who are Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer + (LGBTQ+), staff who would describe their background as working class and staff with a disability.

Please note CVs WILL NOT be accepted.