The Sir Robert Woodard Academy, an Ofsted ‘good’ rated academy and part of the Woodard family of schools, is a dynamic and popular 11–18 academy located between Worthing and Brighton, serving the students of Lancing, Sompting and Shoreham.  Our aim is that every student is known and nurtured and is provided with teaching and learning experiences enabling them to fulfil their potential. We believe that students succeed when the environment is caring and orderly, with teaching that fires the imagination and brings learning to life.

We are seeking a talented and enthusiastic English Teacher with thorough subject knowledge to join the English department from January 2025 (or earlier if available). This is an incredible opportunity to join an excellent team of practitioners who are excited about the future outcomes of their students. We welcome applications from colleagues (with QTS) at all stages of their career, including ECTs, who are committed to raising achievement in English. This is a permanent and full time position.

The English department has achieved strong GCSE and A Level results over the past few years, with students being offered a text rich curriculum that prioritises reading for pleasure and progress. Staff in English form a dynamic team with a strong shared purpose, and there are high expectations for all, with students taught in mixed attainment groups throughout key stages 3 & 4. Lessons in English expose students to the best writing and the best ideas, with a diverse range of texts, including dystopian short stories by Ray Bradbury; contemporary YA fiction such as ‘Dear Martin' and ‘Where the World Ends’, Romantic poetry and Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night; opportunities for writing, both analytically and creatively, punctuate our lessons.

Students in our sixth form, 'W6', take English Literature at A Level, with opportunities to attend theatre productions of set texts and relevant literary conferences. Students are encouraged to develop their English skills outside of the classroom, with an extra-curricular offer that includes creative writing and debate club.

The English department is housed in our modern building with visualisers in every classroom. At the heart of the Academy is the library, which is an accessible resource for all students and staff as we grow a love of reading in the student body. The Accelerated Reader programme was introduced in September 2013 and continues to be an effective tool in developing a reading culture at Key Stage 3 with the addition of Bedrock vocabulary to strengthen literacy skills at home.

At SRWA, our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with wellbeing support, coaching, mentoring and a wide range of top-quality training and CPD programmes delivered at every level up to senior leadership.

SRWA teaching staff benefit from the following:-

• a collaborative approach and strong collegial relationships;
• the opportunity to join and/or benefit from Action Research Groups;
• proven student progress and excellent student behaviour;
• an established STEM group including work with RICARDO Engineering, a world leading company supporting SRWA
• an extensive CPD programme tailored to skills and experience;
• strong links with Brighton and Sussex Universities;
• free employee assistance programme, dedicated staff wellbeing space and 1-1 mental health booster sessions available;
• free use of the Academy’s fitness suite;
• free on site car parking and easy access to local public transport;
• cycle to work scheme;
• free flu jabs.

Quotes from full Ofsted inspection report October 2021: Rating of “Good” in all areas:

“The culture at this school is summed up by its motto, ‘Aspire to Achieve’. From Year 7 through to the sixth form, pupils learn to think ambitiously about their futures.”

"The school is a calm and orderly place for pupils to learn….Pupils treat each other with respect … low-level disruption is rare."

"Pupils, parents and carers feel proud of their school…one parent told us ‘we are really impressed with the school, the ethos and the staff’.”

A Staff Wellbeing survey commissioned externally in June 2024 revealed these were some of the areas considered ‘outstanding’ by our staff cohort:-

• Staff morale, workload and job satisfaction
• Appreciation of staff achievement/contribution
• Opportunities for staff to offer ideas and to develop.

The successful candidate will:-

• demonstrate the skills of a good teacher
• be able to interest, encourage and engage students
• provide appropriate levels of challenge so that all students make good progress
• use methods and resources that enable all students to learn effectively
• use assessment information effectively to plan the next steps in students learning
• make effective use of their time
• secure consistently high standards of behaviour from students
• be able to demonstrate a proven track record of recent and successful class teaching in mixed ability classes of aged 11-18 students (or of successful completion of initial teacher training if applying as an ECT).

Safeguarding Recruitment Statement in full 

The Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff at all levels to share in this commitment.

All applicants are required to fully complete the Academy’s standard application form, giving declarations, a full employment history with gaps explained, and details of professional referees for current and most recent posts. CVs alone will not be accepted.

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a criminal record self-declaration form and to consent to an online search carried out against their name.

All offers of appointment are conditional upon satisfactory pre-employment checks, including an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Check, incorporating a Barred List Check. Therefore, individuals on the Children’s Barred list (and Adult’s Barred list, where relevant) should not apply. There is a six month probation period for all new post-holders.

 Commitment to Equality of Opportunity

The Academy is fully committed to equality of opportunity. We positively welcome applications from all sections of the community.