The Sir Robert Woodard Academy, part of the Woodard family of schools, is an oversubscribed and well-established 11 to 18 Academy, located between Worthing and Brighton and serving the students of Lancing, Sompting and Shoreham. The Academy sits proudly within the local community.

At SRWA we focus on delivering high quality inclusive teaching and learning which fires the imagination and supports all students to fulfil their potential, in line with our Academy motto of ‘Aspire to Achieve’. We believe that students succeed when the environment is safe, kind and respectful, and we aim that every student is known and nurtured, with a sense of belonging.

We are seeking a talented and enthusiastic English Teacher with thorough subject knowledge to join the English department from September 2026.  This is an incredible opportunity to join an excellent team of practitioners who are very excited about the future outcomes of their students.  We are looking for applications from  prospective ECTs on track to gain QTS in June/July, 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, and 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.  To see further information about our wellbeing and benefits offer for staff, please see attachment on this advert.

Highlights for teaching staff at SRWA include:

• 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.

From the January 2026 Ofsted Inspection Report (new framework):

This is a warm and welcoming school where pupils truly thrive. Pupils are happy. They attend regularly and behave well. Pupils are kind and respectful.

Pupils' needs are thoroughly understood, which helps them to feel well cared for and safe. Positive relationships are evident throughout the school.

Leaders have developed an ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum.

Staff are highly ambitious for all pupils, particularly the most disadvantaged. Pupils have high aspirations and recognise the importance of their education.

A Staff Well-being survey in May 2025 revealed our staff consider these areas ‘outstanding’:

Staff morale and job satisfaction

Support from line managers and colleagues

Caring teachers

Appreciation of staff contribution and opportunities for staff to develop.

The successful candidate will:-
• demonstrate the skills of a good or outstanding 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 successful training year.

Our commitment to Safeguarding:

The Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share in this commitment. All posts will be subject to full safeguarding and vetting checks, including the receipt of two satisfactory references.  Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a criminal record self-declaration form and to give consent for an online search to be carried out against their name. 

The successful applicant for this post will be engaging in ‘regulated activity’, therefore they will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Check.  It is an offence to apply for this role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children, so individuals on the children’s barred list (and adults barred list where relevant) should not apply. 

Please be aware that the Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check will reveal both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings, and any other information held by local police that is considered relevant to the role, unless any such information is ‘protected’ under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended).  If you are unsure, please visit this URL: https://www.gov.uk/tell-employer-or-college-about-criminal-record

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunities:

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

We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at our Academy is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.

There is no  official closing date - we reserve the right to interview and appoint any strong applicants and to close the advert at any time.