Assistant Director of English

An exciting opportunity has arisen for the post of Assistant Director of English at Driffield School and Sixth Form. We are looking for a highly-motivated, forward-thinking and passionate individual to support the strategic leadership of our English and Media  department. If successful, you would be working closely with our Director of English, leading our team of 14 teachers, in promoting the highest standards of teaching and supporting students of all backgrounds and abilities. The successful applicant will play an active role in the continuing evaluation of our curriculum, through curriculum design, implementation and impact and working alongside the Director of English to strategically plan for further improvement. As a post-16 school, the successful applicant will have the opportunity to teach up to KS5 (including A Level English Literature, English Language, Film and Media Studies).

In their last visit (February 2025), Ofsted described our school as ‘an inclusive school, where pupils are encouraged to ‘Be Here, Be Yourself and Be Your Best’. They described Driffield students as ‘kind and respectful’ and ‘inquisitive and motivated to do well.’ As a school, we are dedicated to providing a great teacher in every classroom and are committed to high-quality, collective teacher development. This helps us to reduce the replication of effort and helps all teachers to thrive in our setting. We do this by prioritising the continuing development of our staff.  This comes in a variety of forms: professional subject-specific development delivered in department time; INSET days as well as through CPD opportunities across The Education Alliance.  As a member of the middle-leadership team, you would also have access to high-quality leadership training through regular subject leader meetings and the opportunity to undertake a National Professional Qualification.

Within The Education Alliance Multi Academy Trust, there are lots of opportunities for collaboration and also further opportunities to develop and progress. As a trust, we are here to make great schools and happier, stronger communities so that people have better lives. For too long in many schools, staff have been asked to choose between being seen as good at their job and being a good mum, dad, partner, son, daughter or friend. We are doing everything we can to support our staff to balance the demands of their jobs and those at home.

To support this, we:

• Trust our staff to plan, prepare and assess at the best time for them, allowing them to go off-site in their PPA
• Have centralised our Behaviour Policy so teachers are freed up from supervising detentions
• Demand ethical leadership built on professional trust                                                                                                    
• Reject fads and ensure our CPD is evidence-informed and predominantly subject specific
• Have reduced data collections to twice yearly                                                                                                                           
• Do not expect staff to respond to emails outside normal working hours
• Do not deploy staff at other Trust schools unless it is at their request                                                                               

We have removed the following:

• Performance management objectives and performance-related pay         
• Lesson observations and high stakes, toxic accountability                             
• Onerous marking policies                                                                                         
• Requirements for daily or weekly lesson plans                                                         

Above all, we recognise that seeking to remove the number of tasks staff undertake will have little effect on improving work/home balance if this happens within a toxic culture.  To support this, we offer training for our leaders to ensure they are able to translate our values into behaviours which are built on the principles of dignity, respect, professionalism and integrity.

Driffield School is based in the heart of the bucolic Yorkshire Wolds and is easily accessible from local towns and cities (with commutes of 20 minutes from Beverley, 30 minutes from Scarborough and 40 minutes from York or Hull). As a school, we are immensely proud of our students and would welcome the opportunity to meet you and show you around our school community.  If you would like an informal discussion about the role, or would like to visit us to see what we have to offer, please contact our HR team on 01377 232362 or by email at hr@driffieldschool.org.uk.

The closing date for applications is 8.00 am on 14 May and it is anticipated that interviews will be held on 19 May 2025. We look forward to receiving your application and we will contact you once your application has been reviewed.

To apply, please either, complete the e-application form which is accessible via the “apply now” button, submit an application via your TES account by visiting Assistant Director of English, East Riding of Yorkshire - Tes Jobs or complete the word version of our application form which is accessible in the ‘Downloadable Files’ section (word versions must be returned to us no later than the closing date and time stated above).

Driffield School and Sixth Form is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.  Clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service is required prior to appointment and we undertake an online check, in line with the Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024 guidance.  

The Education Alliance’s Child Protection Policy can be accessed at: https://theeducationalliance.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Child-Protection-Policy.pdf and Driffield School and Sixth Form’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy can be accessed at: Child-Protection-and-Safeguarding-Policy-September-2024-2.pdf (driffieldschool.net)