Teacher
TEACHER OF ENGLISH (Maternity Cover)
Full time, required from September 2026
Grade: MPR/UPR (as agreed by appointing governing panel)
Role:
- The school is looking to appoint a committed, enthusiastic individual as a teacher of English.
- All teachers at Balshaw’s have additional planning time above the 10% PPA that is part of the STPCD.
- You would be working in a highly successful department that is staffed entirely by specialists.
English Department
The mission statement of the English Department is:
‘We will work together to share and promote an enjoyment of reading; to support students in becoming effective and confident communicators, and nurture students in becoming independent and adaptable learners.’
The department comprises of seven specialist teachers, along with the Curriculum Leader for Drama and the SENDCO, who also teach some English classes. The team offer a range of experience, interests, and expertise, but all share the same goal in supporting our students to achieve the best that they can. The Curriculum Leader is also on SLT and there is a Second in Department.
Students are taught in mixed prior attainment groups across both key stages. In KS3, students have seven lessons per fortnight and at KS4, eight lessons per fortnight. We enjoy the benefits of our school laptop scheme, which are utilised for learning in a range of ways, from quick research and dictionary lookups, to drafting and editing and the use of online platforms such as Bedrock Grammar and Vocabulary.
As a department, we have developed a challenging, enriching and engaging curriculum, which is aligned with the needs of our students. Through a shared vision and teamwork, we have continued to reflect on it and develop both the content and our methods of delivery. Our curriculum was devised to support students to read widely; books, poetry and articles that they may not read otherwise, to develop an increased awareness of the writer at work, and thereby become more confident writers themselves. The texts have been chosen carefully to suit our school and our students and whilst there is challenge, the texts remain age appropriate.
Whilst we have a common, shared curriculum, we recognise that we have different styles of teaching that we adapt to our classes, bearing in mind research on what is effective teaching. There is consistency in content and assessment, but flexibility in delivery.
We study the Eduqas specification for GCSE English Language and Literature and we also offer GCSE Film Studies. Our team are experienced in the delivery of this specification, but we are always aiming to develop our insight and expertise further; through our in school CPD programme, which includes feedback from colleagues who mark the GCSE and visits from representatives from Eduqas.
Outcomes in English are consistently strong. In 2025, 85% of students achieved Grade 4+ in English Language, with 27% achieving Grade 7+, while in English Literature 79% achieved Grade 4+ and 19% achieved Grade 7+. These results reflect a sustained record of high performance across the department.
The successful candidate would be expected to contribute towards the ongoing high standards of teaching and contribute to the development of programmes of study and add resources. The department is also keen to provide enrichment opportunities for students through a range of extra-curricular clubs and activities such as young writers and House Cup Challenge and in school speaking competitions. Activities students have participated in within English are many and varied, including: Runshaw College AGT days, the Rotary Youth Speaks competition (with a notable success in the National competition), visits from leading authors and theatre companies. The department also organises trips to the theatre. The department works closely with the school’s Learning Resources Centre to provide a culture of reading, reinforced by independent reading in Key Stage 3 classes.
This is a department which prides itself on its success. The successful applicant will join a team of professional and highly motivated teachers accustomed to achieving excellent results.
Other Information
Please apply using the quick apply button on TES here: TEACHER OF ENGLISH (Maternity Cover), Lancashire - Tes Jobs