The department currently consists of three full time teachers and a highly experienced teaching assistant. We currently offer Child Development Level 1 / 2 Technical Award (CACHE - NCFE) and it is a popular choice in our options at Key Stage 4 (Years 9, 10 and 11), Level 3 BTEC Health and Social Care Single and Double Award and we are introducing the T Level Education and Child Care from September. We have one more cohort completing the Level 3 EYE which has been a very successful course for many years.

This position has come about due to the retirement of the current Subject Leader, an experienced colleague who has been with us at the Academy for many years and has led a highly successful department with some outstanding results across all courses. Ideally, the successful teacher should have some experience of Early Years Education to support the delivery and assessment of the new T level course. We welcome applications from ECT’s and also staff with experience for the teaching role.

There is also an opportunity for the right candidate with the right experience to become the subject lead for the courses within this subject area. Ideally for this role the candidate would require someone with experience in Early Years and also some knowledge of the new T level and experience in the other courses we offer.

*A potential TLR 2b for may be available on appointment as a subject lead for and Child Development and Health and Social Care courses, subject to the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.  The successful candidate must have at least three years of teaching in a relevant subject at GCSE/Level 2 in relevant subject(s) and 3 to be eligible for this TLR and show experience of a departmental or a school leadership initiative related to the subject as well as evidence of impact and other leadership qualities.  This will be discussed on interview, based on experience. Please see the separate Subject Lead specification and job description and ensure you address this in your letter.

Joseph Leckie Academy is a vibrant, exciting and innovative mixed 11-18 Converter Academy with an overall positive progress score every year since 2017 and within the top 3 non-selective schools in Walsall every year since 2017.  With our excellent results and being graded as “Good” across all areas by Ofsted (October 2021) and our continual desire and drive to continue moving forward, this is an exciting time for you to join our team. Since 2017, the Academy has remained as one of the top non-selective secondary school for progress in Walsall based on validated results and is one of the highest performing schools in the region for student progress.

As a result of excellent practice and support, both of these subjects have evidence of outstanding successes for student progress at Key Stage 4 and 5 and results in Child Development, Health and Social Care and EYE are some of the highest in the Academy year on year. This is due to the experience of the staff and willingness to go the extra mile to support and develop opportunities for our students.

The Academy has a large Sixth Form of well over 240 students and the Health and Environment Faculty contribute to a number of courses and numbers Post 16 so the successful candidate will have the opportunity to teach at Post 16 in the future as well as contribute to development the first T level in the Academy and to shape the future of other vocational courses as we consider appropriate and suitable alternatives to meet the needs of our learners. There are plenty of opportunities to experience teaching at Post 16 as well as contributing to Post 16 developments.

Our last Ofsted inspection in 2021 we were judged the Academy to be good in all categories and for overall effectiveness with some excellent feedback across all subjects and our Pastoral Care as can be seen below in some of their comments:

“We pride ourselves on our high expectations of all learners. This creates a calm learning environment where teachers can teach and students can learn as was clearly supported by the feedback from Ofsted. We offer a highly supportive environment and are committed to ensuring outstanding teaching, behaviour, progress and achievement. Staff are proud to work in our Academy.”

Ofsted further commented that: “Pupils are proud of their school. Their attendance and punctuality are good. Pupils are safe. The school is calm and purposeful, and disruption to learning is rare. Few pupils underachieve and most flourish. Pupils of all abilities are enthusiastic learners who enjoy their learning.”

“We have an ambitious curriculum, mapped in detail and a curriculum that is broad and deep, including the two year Key Stage 3. Students study a wide range of subjects at Key Stage 4 and there are plans to develop this further to support their next stage in education or employment and training. Leaders know what knowledge students should be taught and have sequenced learning well so students learn content in the right order and teachers and support staff work very well to and go the extra mile to support and improve students learning. Mistakes are spotted and modified through frequent assessment of learning.  Inspectors commented on the very effective use of support staff both faculty and SEND staff to support students learning, including developing literacy skills and our SEND students flourish. All students are well prepared to go on to higher education or employment and training.”

We are an expanding Academy with numbers growing, now well over 1500 and continuing to be over- subscribed at Key stage 3 and in our large Sixth form and so this is an ideal opportunity and an exciting time for you to join our team as a permanent member as we continue to expand and grow and there will excellent opportunities for you and this role to grow and develop further.

The role of this appointment will be as per the attached information on the Job Description, although the precise leadership responsibilities will be confirmed upon appointment based on experience.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious candidate to join our dynamic team at the forefront of change and to make a real difference to our drive to continue to raise standards of education in the Academy. If you believe that you have the skills and abilities to take on this role, we would love to hear from you.

We can offer you: -

• Friendly, caring and supportive staff across the Academy – staff stay here for a number of years and say it is a great place to work and ex-students come back to work in the Academy so please come along and visit us find out what they say…
• A high focus on staff well-being with staff social events, staff sports, well-being counsellor, Academy Nurse, well-being co-ordinator for staff, monthly staff breakfasts, employee assistance programme and much more…
• Excellent support and professional development opportunities including opportunities to undertake our own in-house CPD programmes as well as external providers such as National Professional Qualifications at different levels as you progress towards leadership roles.
• A well established and supportive Induction programme for all staff at all levels including ECT’s.
• A well-established, experienced and dedicated team of staff in the faculty.
• Opportunities for outreach work and the chance to trial new ideas and approaches.
• A highly dedicated and committed Pastoral team at all levels.
• Excellent resources, programs and technology to support learning in Food
• A large and expanding Academy at the forefront of change and growth, with high standards and an ambitious desire to better the lives of our students and impact further on our wider community.

You will have/show:

• Practical skills and expertise as outlined in the Job description (see teacher or Head of Subject)
• A passion and vision for working with students in their personal, social and emotional needs as well as their academic development
• The ability to motivate and inspire students
• Experience of delivering one or more of the following: Child Development Level 1 / 2 Technical Award (CACHE - NCFE;  BTEC Level 3 health and Social Care Single and Double Award and/or the  T Level Education and Child Care or equivalent courses
• Experience of work with Early Years Education and/or CACHE/NCFE courses.
• The ability to stimulate curiosity, interest and enjoyment in learning
• Confidence in dealing with students across different age ranges particularly Key Stage 4 and 5
• Creative skills and a professional approach
• High expectations of students
• The determination to support in raising student achievement within the classroom
• The passion to enrich the lives of our students and contribute to the development of Cultural Capital to enhance the life opportunities for our students
• Engagement in professional development opportunities
• Team skills
• Outstanding inter-personal and communication skills with students, colleagues and parents
• Ability to teach a second subject at least at KS3 or other courses at KS4
• Ability to teach PSHE as part of our form time programme
• A clear understanding of the importance of Safeguarding.

Application process:

Please see the attached job description (see relevant JD) and person specification and address this in your letter and address the question below:

1. Explain how your experience, skills and qualities to date have prepared you for this role. 
2. For applicants who wish to apply for the subject lead role please outline your how you see the future for Joseph Leckie students and your role within this as subject lead?

Joseph Leckie Academy is an equal opportunities employer and fully committed to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of students and candidates will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check.

We welcome visits to the Academy, please contact Mrs S Richards to arrange for a visit.

Closing date for applications: Tuesday 7^th May at 8.00am.

Please send completed applications to Mrs S Richards. hr@josephleckieacademy.co.uk

Joseph Leckie Academy is committed to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of students and candidates will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check.