English Mastery is a curriculum and teacher development programme that is designed to improve achievement for all pupils in key stage 3 English. The programme aims to deepen and accelerate students’ reading and writing progress by exposing them to a cumulative, knowledge-rich curriculum and by training teachers on subject pedagogy and the specific curriculum topics they will teach. From spring 2019, we will be working with over 130 partner schools nationwide from Sheffield to the Isle of Wight. We are now looking to grow our team to broaden the impact we have across different key stages. 

English Mastery is incubated by Ark Ventures – part of the education charity Ark – which incubates, launches and supports organisations that have the potential to deliver widespread change in education and society.

The role

This Design Lead will be responsible for the design and production of English Mastery’s key stage 4 pilot programme. The role holder will be responsible for researching best practice and design for key stage 4 English, and proposing a model for a key stage 4 offer that will have the potential to transform the way English is taught and studied throughout at this crucial time in a student’s schooling. 

The ideal candidate will be/have:

• Passionate about transforming the life chances of children through education
• Experienced in teaching key stage 4 English
• Experienced in designing curriculum materials that have been used by others within and beyond your own context
• Experienced in designing training and CPD for teachers to support curriculum implementation
• Experienced in establishing evaluation methods and using these to measure impact and efficacy of teaching and outcomes
• Able to engage a range of senior stakeholders across the education sector, and effect change in a range of contexts
• Educated to degree level in English literature/ language and have a strong English literature/language education background
• Significant experience teaching in schools that are similar to those in the Ark network
• Able to demonstrate resilience, motivation and commitment to driving up standards of achievement
• Confident delivering training to fellow teachers
• An eye for detail with meticulous proofing skills

Our offer

• Be at the leading edge of transforming English education across the UK.
• The opportunity to work in a dynamic team.
•  Flexible working.
• A generous employer pension contribution.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.
• Access to Ark Rewards scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers, interest-free loans of up to £5,000 available for season tickets or a bicycle and gym discounts offering up to 40% off your local gym.

 To apply

This role is initially on a one-year fixed term contract. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a final deadline of 11am on Friday 17^th May.  First round interviews are scheduled to take place on Thursday 23 May. Second round interviews are scheduled to take place Tuesday 28 May.

Download the job description & person specification.docx here. If you would like to have an informal and confidential discussion about the role, or have any queries, please contact Nick Wallace on nick.wallace@englishmastery.org

Location: Ark's head office is currently based in Holborn, London, but we will be relocating to a new West London office (based in zone 2), by the end of 2019. 

The new office is close to two tube stations served by three underground lines, and an overground line. It’s in an area of London which is up and coming, with new cafes and shops popping up regularly, and the Westfield shopping centre a short walk away.   The new location in Notting Dale, will be a short walk from Shepherds Bush (Central Line and Overground) and Latimer Road and Wood Lane (Hammersmith and City and Circle Line).

 Closing date: Friday 17 May 
Interview date: First round interviews are scheduled to take place on Thursday 23 May. Second round interviews are scheduled to take place Tuesday 28 May.
Start Date: September 2019
Salary: £45,000 - £52,000, negotiable depending on experience
Contract: Fixed Term, 1 year