Due to the growth of River Academy, we are looking to appoint a Curriculum Leader for Technology & Art to start in September 2026. River Academy opened in September 2024 with 180 students and seven students in its resource base. From September 2026, student numbers will increase again as the school welcomes its next cohort of Year 7 students. The school is currently oversubscribed, with waiting lists in all year groups, and expects continued high demand for September 2026.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and skilled Curriculum Leader for Technology & Art to provide strategic and operational leadership across these subjects. The successful candidate will lead curriculum intent and implementation, line manage staff within the department, and contribute to whole-school curriculum development.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced teacher ready to take the next step in their leadership career within a supportive Trust that values professional learning and collaboration.

The postholder will uphold and model the highest expectations for conduct, attendance, attitudes to learning and personal development. They will lead the year team, implement school and Trust policies robustly, and ensure that the year group benefits from a highly effective Personal Development (PD) programme, including assemblies and enrichment activities. They will work closely with colleagues across the school, the Trust and external agencies to safeguard students, remove barriers to learning and support smooth transitions between key stages.

 Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of an ambitious and coherent curriculum for Technology and Art.
• Secure high standards of teaching, learning and assessment across the department.
• Line manage and professionally develop staff, including ECTs and TLR holders.
• Use data effectively to monitor progress, identify underperformance and implement timely interventions.
• Ensure inclusive practice so that all students, including disadvantaged learners and those with SEND, make strong progress.
• Contribute to whole-school improvement, CPD and enrichment opportunities, including the Electives programme.
• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety, safeguarding and Trust policies within subject areas.

The Ideal Candidate

You will be:

• A qualified teacher (QTS) with strong subject knowledge in Technology and/or Art.
• An excellent classroom practitioner with a clear understanding of high-quality curriculum design and assessment.
• Experienced in using data to drive improvement and close attainment gaps.
• An effective leader and role model, with the ability to coach, mentor and inspire colleagues.
• Highly organised, resilient and committed to continuous professional development.

What We Offer

• A supportive Trust with strong collaboration across schools.
• High-quality professional development through the Maiden Erlegh Institute.
• Opportunities to shape curriculum design in a growing school.
• A commitment to staff wellbeing and professional growth.

About the School

River Academy has a strong focus on calm, purposeful learning environments. Classrooms are quiet, corridors are calm, and systems are designed to reduce workload so teachers can focus on their teaching craft. Tutor time is carefully structured and includes reading, assemblies and settling activities to support learning throughout the day. Students are expected to demonstrate good manners, strong oracy skills, and high standards of personal and academic presentation. Reflecting this focus on consistency and high expectations, River Academy is ranked in the highest decile across all DfE attendance measures, and Sparx homework completion rates consistently exceed 98%. The school also offers a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities through its after-school Electives programme, available to all students.

To learn more about River Academy, please visit the school website: www.river-academy.co.uk

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 750 staff and 4,500 students across nine 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 unites our whole team in sharing best practice and learning.

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

You can learn more about working with us with us and hear from colleagues across our Trust on  our website.

Benefits

Further information about working at Maiden Erlegh Trust can be found on our website here. Staff wellbeing and professional development are central to how we work, and colleagues across our Trust benefit from a range of opportunities and schemes designed to recognise their contribution and support their growth.

Pension Scheme: Generous employer contributions, with auto-enrolment into either the Teachers Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme, both Career Average Earning Schemes.

Annual Leave: We offer a generous holiday entitlement, which increases with length of service.

ME Day: Colleagues may request one additional day’s leave each year to attend a special personal event, such as a child’s sports day or graduation, or a family celebration.

Professional Development: We offer a comprehensive programme of professional learning through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, including opportunities to both attend and deliver CPD. Colleagues also take part in our annual Conference, a full day of workshops, networking and learning for all staff.
Colleagues can also access a range of professional development opportunities using Apprenticeship Levy funding, and benefit from professional development networks.

Hybrid Working: For eligible roles, we support a flexible approach to working arrangements, balancing remote and office-based work where appropriate.

Perkbox: Colleagues have access to Perkbox, which offers a wide range of discounts and wellness resources and receive 25 Perk points each month which can be exchanged for goods and services.

Wellbeing and Health: Free flu vaccinations are offered to all staff, and free eye tests are provided to those who are eligible.

Employee Assistance Programme: Incorporating discount vouchers, access to 24/7 support and more.

Mental Health First Aid support.

Recognition and Community: We regularly celebrate staff achievements, milestones and contributions across our schools, reinforcing a strong sense of belonging within the #TeamMET community.

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 to the future of our Trust and its schools, please contact recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org for an informal discussion.

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. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.