ROLE Lead Practitioner
Salary Range: MPS/UPS + SEN Allowance + TLR
Hours – 36.5 Term Time Only
Location: Leycroft Academy, Gressel Ln, Birmingham, B33 9UE
Contract: Full time, Maternity Cover
Start Date: 01/09/2026
Job Overview:
We are Forward Thinking, we are Ambitious, we are Principled, we are Motivated, we are Trustworthy and we are Nurturers of Talent!
An exciting opportunity has arisen for Lead Practitioner to join Leycroft Academy.
Leycroft Academy is a highly specialist primary school dedicated to supporting pupils with a diagnosed Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and all have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). We are committed to providing a personalised, evidence informed education that enables every child to achieve their full potential, whatever their starting point.
Our pupils present with significant, persistent and complex social communication and interaction differences, which have a profound impact on their ability to access learning and the general school offer.
The successful candidate will:
To consistently model best practice and meet the standards.
To support the development of best practice across the school.
To support senior leaders in robust self-evaluation of teaching and learning and make a significant contribution to improving the quality of teaching and learning within and beyond the school.
To support the development of accurate and up to date subject knowledge.
Will provide support for the Head of School in the day to day running of the school and can deputise in his/her absence.
Work with colleagues across the school and wider Federation to improve the quality of teaching.
Use a range of strategies to support the development of good and outstanding teaching.
Monitor the quality of teaching, giving appropriate feedback to staff and accurate evaluations to the Senior Leadership Team.
Work flexibly in the presence of the Head of School to assist with the smooth day to day management of the school working closely with staff of all designations.
Assist the Head of School and Executive Headteacher in monitoring and reviewing the quality of teaching and learning including assessment, recording, and reporting pupils’ attainment to all statutory bodies.
Assist the Head of School and Executive Headteacher in the whole school self-evaluation processes.
Plan and deliver induction programmes for new staff.
Undertake professional training for all aspects of school leadership and management and keep up to date with new initiatives across the curriculum.
Provide training and support to staff within school and across the Federation where appropriate.
Develop teacher subject knowledge in designated curriculum area.
Support the Senior Leadership Team in the development of a broad, balanced and innovative curriculum including opportunities for the application of skills across the curriculum.
Effectively monitor and evaluate designated curriculum area and work independently and as a team to plan and implement strategies for necessary improvements.
Produce good quality support materials for curriculum development and implementation.
Candidates are encouraged to visit the school and/or call to have an informal conversation with the headteacher, Mr Patrick Jones.
T: 0121 566 6690
Competitive Benefits:
Forward Education Trust is committed to recruiting and retaining the highest quality staff. To do this, we have an Employee Value Proposition offering a range of benefits to help our staff on a personal and professional level, which includes:
Teacher Pension or Support Staff Local Government Pension – Employer Contribution
FET HUB – information all in one place, access to a range of benefits
Paid for Health Cash Plan – employee and dependent children benefit – option to add partner
Employee Questionnaire – Consultation with staff on a range of issues and ideas
Salary sacrifice scheme – Cycle to Work Scheme
Access to the NHS approved Thrive App – to support mental health & well-being
Comprehensive induction and probation support and an ongoing performance management & appraisal system
Enhanced Employee Assistance Programme – free, totally confidential advice, with face-to-face consultations
Personal & professional learning & development – including FLICK online learning and other resources
Access to discounts and offers from Reward Gateway and My Perks
Occupational Health Service – accessible to support the needs of individual staff
Staff recognition – e-cards to celebrate success among colleagues
Mental Health First Aiders
Policies are developed and reviewed to support positive health & well-being: Family Friendly Working, Special Leave of Absence, Flexible Working, Menopause
Our well-being support for Assistant Headteachers focuses on managing accountability, workload, and emotional intelligence through professional supervision, peer mentoring, and a supportive organisational culture
Staff recognition – awards throughout the year, in line with Trust behaviours and values
A commitment to develop new ideas to show we really value what you do for our children
Closing Date for Applications: 12.04.2026
Interview Date: TBC
The Trust may review applications upon receipt and may call applicants for interview prior to the advert closing date. Therefore, you are encouraged to make an early application for this role, and we reserve the right to close the vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date.
Please note that only fully completed Forward Education Trust Application forms will be accepted; we will not read accompanying Curriculum Vitae (CV) or accept them in place of an application form.
If you do not hear from the school within 14 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been shortlisted. The successful applicants will require an enhanced DBS check and will be subject to relevant pre-employment checks.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.
This post is covered by Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) and therefore the ability to speak fluent spoken English is an essential requirement for this role.
An online search will also be carried out for all shortlisted candidates.
Forward Education Trust is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate must promote this ethos.
The successful candidate will be subject to all necessary pre-employment checks, including enhanced DBS; Prohibition check; Childcare Disqualification; qualifications, medical fitness; identity and right to work and two references.
Debbie Atkins
0121 566 6690
d.atkins@leycroft.fet.ac
