Teacher of English

MPR/UPR 

Icknield Community College is looking to appoint an enthusiastic Teacher of English from 13 April 2026 to 9 April 2027 to cover a maternity leave. 

Our successful candidate will be: 

·        a team-player;

·        motivated, resilient and flexible;

·        thoroughly committed to enabling all students to reach their potential;

·        a creative teacher who places high value on their own professional development;

·        committed to achieving a work-life balance and maintaining their own interests outside teaching.

We offer the successful candidate a school which:

·        exists to serve its students and both support and challenge its staff;

·        focuses relentlessly on improving teaching and learning in order to raise standards;

·        enjoys positive relationships between staff and students;

·        knows every individual student well because of its size; 

·        enjoys a tradition of success and is excited about its future.

The English Department is a cohesive, established and collegiate team that is also welcoming of new thinking. We achieve strong exam outcomes. We have a well-established curriculum at KS3 and KS4, with fully-resourced schemes of work, underpinned by our shared pedagogical approaches and consistent assessment goals. We strive continually to develop our curriculum to meet the needs of all learners. We place great emphasis on teachers’ professional development through coaching and the sharing of good practice between colleagues as well as great emphasis on teachers’ wellbeing. All teachers across the school have a fortnightly wellbeing hour – scheduled for the beginning or end of the school day – which they can take at home. We seek to engage all learners and include frequent opportunities for discussion in our lessons. We ensure that all learners are supported in personalised and differentiated ways and that English is an accessible and enjoyable subject for all, taking advantage of the many resources afforded by all students in the school having their own chromebook in lessons and at home. 

In December 2024, Ofsted inspected our school and concluded that: 

·        Staff are effusive about working in the school and value its mindful approach to workload. 

·        Pupils are proud to be members of this ambitious and friendly school. 

·        Pupils value the warm and respectful relationships they have with staff. 

·        Pupils’ behaviour is calm and orderly. 

In March 2025, The Sunday Times named Icknield Community College the happiest secondary school in Oxfordshire. More recently, in October 2025, the Great British Schools Guide (GBSG) ranked the school joint sixth nationally in terms of “safest schools”, based on the latest Parent View feedback for the 2024–2025 academic year. These recognitions reflect our strong commitment to student wellbeing and success, further supported by Ofsted’s Parent View survey, where 98% of parents said they would recommend the school. 

To discuss this post informally, please contact Chris McGinnity, Head of English: christopher.mcginnity@icknield.oxon.sch.uk. 

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 to 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. 

Safeguarding Statement: 

The Acer Trust and its schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Employment is subject to a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and online checks. 

The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post. All applicants are considered confidentially and according to the nature of the role and information disclosed. 

·        Applications close on Monday 15 December at 8am

·        Interview: Thursday 18 December

·        Start Date: 13 April 2026