SECOND IN ENGLISH

Salary: MPS/UPS plus a TLR1D - £10,174 per annum

Contract: Permanent. Full time or part time

Start date: September 2026

Place of work:  Comberton Village College, Comberton            

Are you an ambitious, values-driven teacher of English with the passion, expertise and leadership potential to help drive exceptional outcomes for every pupil? We are seeking an inspiring and committed Second in Department who believes deeply in inclusion, champions high expectations for all learners, and is ready to play a significant role in shaping our English department.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to take on a key leadership position within a large, well-established English department. Working closely with the Head of English, the successful candidate will contribute strategically to curriculum development, teaching and learning, and staff support across the department.

The postholder will take lead responsibility for a key stage, to be agreed with the successful candidate, giving the scope to align the role with individual strengths and professional interests. This position would suit an experienced teacher ready to step into senior middle leadership, or an existing Second in Department seeking a new challenge in a larger, highly successful school but where there is a clear drive to achieve exceptional outcomes.

You will be supported by the Head of English, the Trust Lead for English and the Senior Leadership Team, while also being trusted with genuine responsibility and influence within the department.

We are looking for a colleague who:

·       Holds uncompromisingly high expectations for all pupils, with a strong commitment to securing excellent outcomes—particularly for those who face the greatest barriers.

·       Is passionate about curriculum and pedagogy, and excited by the opportunity to shape and lead teaching and learning within a key stage.

·       Brings energy, clarity and positivity to working with colleagues, supporting and motivating others to continually improve their practice.

·       Champions inclusion, equity and diversity, ensuring all pupils feel valued, challenged and able to succeed in English.

·       Is ambitious for the department, with a strong focus on high-quality teaching, professional development and a culture of reflection and collaboration.

What We Offer

·       A committed, reflective and enthusiastic English team, keen to work collaboratively and develop together.

·       A school culture that values professional learning, staff wellbeing and shared leadership.

·       Motivated, articulate pupils who engage positively with a rich and ambitious English curriculum.

·       Excellent facilities and the support of a senior team and wider trust with a strong commitment to subject excellence and leadership development.

About Our School

We are a highly successful, community mixed comprehensive school with Teaching School status in a pleasant rural setting only 5 miles from the centre of Cambridge. We currently have around 2000 students aged 11–18 on roll, including a thriving sixth form centre that opened in September 2011.

Our pupils are well motivated, staff morale is excellent, and examination results at KS4 and KS5 are consistently very strong across our comprehensive intake. The school has been rated Outstanding by Ofsted over many years, with our most recent inspection in November 2024 achieving Outstanding in all categories. Considerable work has been undertaken to ensure our curriculum is ambitious, inclusive and exciting to teach.

For further details on our school please visit our website www.combertonvc.org.