Oak Tree School is seeking to appoint a Literacy and Communication Lead to provide professional leadership for reading, literacy, English and communication across the school.

This is an important leadership role, supporting pupils from EYFS to Year 11, including pupils with ASD and additional complex needs. The successful candidate will lead the development and implementation of a whole-school literacy and communication strategy, ensuring pupils receive high-quality teaching, effective curriculum pathways, targeted support and clear assessment that reflects their individual needs.

The role will include oversight of KS4 literacy and English pathways, including entry level, Functional Skills and GCSE routes. The postholder will work closely with speech and language therapists, the clinical team, multidisciplinary colleagues and teaching staff to embed effective communication pathways and programmes linked to pupils’ EHCP needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a whole-school approach to reading, literacy and communication across EYFS to Year 11.
• Implement and lead an appropriate English and literacy curriculum for the range of needs within the school.
• Ensure literacy and English are taught to a high standard across the school.
• Lead assessment, tracking and reporting of pupils’ progress in literacy, English and communication.
• Oversee KS4 literacy qualifications, including entry level, Functional Skills and GCSE pathways.
• Work collaboratively with speech and language therapists, clinical colleagues, multidisciplinary colleagues and teaching staff to support pupils’ literacy and communication needs.
• Provide professional leadership, advice, resources and CPD to colleagues to improve literacy and communication practice.
• Promote a love of reading and effective communication across the school community.
• Support high standards of behaviour, attendance, safeguarding, health and safety and inclusion.
• Contribute to the effective working of Oak Tree School and Maiden Erlegh Trust.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be a qualified teacher with a good quality degree, QTS and a PGCE or equivalent teaching qualification.

They will have the ability to teach English and literacy to a high standard and support strong pupil progress across Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. They will be confident in designing, adapting and evaluating schemes of work, lessons and curriculum pathways that meet a range of pupil needs.

They will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with pupils, colleagues, families and external professionals. They will be able to support colleagues through professional leadership, advice, resources and CPD, and will understand how literacy and communication support pupil access, engagement, independence and achievement.

The ideal candidate will be calm, resilient, organised and committed to working in the best interests of pupils. They will maintain confidentiality, act with integrity and contribute positively to a school and Trust culture based on consistency, collaboration and respectful relationships.

Oak Tree School (OTS)

Opened in September 2023, Oak Tree School in Winnersh is a specialist provision for up to 150 learners from Year 1 to Year 13 with an Education, Health and Care Plan for Autism Spectrum Conditions and associated complex needs.

The school offers a rich and stimulating curriculum, specialist personal development education and targeted therapeutic programmes delivered by highly skilled staff.

Oak Tree School is a partnership project with Brighter Futures for Children, Reading Borough Council and Wokingham Borough Council, reflecting a shared commitment to inclusive, local provision.

Community, inclusion and respect underpin the school’s vision, alongside outreach programmes supporting SEND pupils in mainstream settings. Colleagues benefit from strong connections across the Trust’s Special and AP Hub, encouraging collaboration, innovation and professional growth

 About Maiden Erlegh Trust

Maiden Erlegh Trust is a growing community of schools across Berkshire and Oxfordshire, working together to deliver the best possible education for every child and young person. With around 800 staff and 5,000 students across eleven schools, including primary, secondary, special and alternative provision, we are proud of the diversity that shapes our expertise.

We Aim High, Be Inclusive and Work Together. These values drive our focus on high-quality education for all through collaboration, inclusion and continuous improvement.

Through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, colleagues access high-quality professional learning at every stage of their career, supported by mentoring, leadership opportunities and our annual MET Staff Conference, a day that brings colleagues together to share best practice and learn from one another.

Joining our Trust means being part of a community that invests in people and values expertise, playing a direct role in shaping the lives and outcomes of young people.

Further information about working with us, and insight from colleagues across the Trust, can be found here on our website.

Benefits of Working with Maiden Erlegh Trust

Staff wellbeing and professional development are central to how we work. Colleagues benefit from a wide range of opportunities and schemes, including:

Pension Scheme – Generous employer contributions through the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme

Annual Leave – Generous entitlement, increasing with length of service

ME Day – One additional day’s leave each year for a significant personal event

Professional Development – Extensive CPD through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, annual Trust Conference and apprenticeship opportunities

Hybrid Working – Flexible working arrangements for eligible roles

Perkbox – Discounts, wellbeing resources and monthly perk points

Wellbeing and Health – Free flu vaccinations and eye tests (where eligible)

Employee Assistance Programme – 24/7 support and discount schemes

Mental Health First Aid Support

Recognition and Community – Celebrating achievements and milestones across #TeamMET

Employee Referral Scheme

Working for our Trust means contributing to something larger by supporting the education and life chances of children and young people every day.

Additional Information

If you believe this is an environment where you can thrive, develop and make a meaningful contribution, please contact recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org for an informal discussion.

If you are organised, compassionate and committed to improving outcomes for young people through strong attendance practice, we welcome your application.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as we reserve the right to close the advert and interview at any time.

Maiden Erlegh Trust is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.