Head of English

Position: Head of English

Salary Scale: TLR 1a

Employer: Community Schools Trust

Location: Forest Gate Community School

Contract Type: Full time

Contract Term: Permanent

Closing Date: Monday 13th May 2024 at 10.00am

Start date: 4th September 2024

Interviews: As soon as possible

Forest Gate Community School is part of Community Schools Trust. It is rated Outstanding by Ofsted and currently sits at number 1 in the borough for student progress. We serve a wonderfully diverse community, many of whom face challenges through no fault of their own. It is for this reason we want to level the playing field for all of our students, regardless of their background, by providing a world class education.

We care about outcomes at FGCS. We know good grades lift life chances and impact health, wealth and even mortality. We know that teachers have the greatest impact on pupil outcomes and so we take professional development seriously, whatever our role in the school. Whether we have taught for two months, two years or twenty years, we believe in our capacity to always improve in the classroom.

Our CPD provision is comprehensive and fundamental to our commitment to improve. We are invested in our own and each others' development and use principles of instructional coaching to provide feedback to each other. Our CPD involves deliberate practice, video models of excellent practice and lots of fun The desire to improve a little bit everyday permeates the culture in our school.

Our approach to teaching is evidence informed. We avoid 'discovery learning' methods and instead, we teach explicitly. Our teachers are experts in the classroom and lead from the front. We focus on perfecting routines for behaviour, like entry into lessons and transitions between tasks so that we can maximise time spent on learning. We have excellent behaviour systems which mean teachers can focus on what we love doing most - teaching

As well as excellent outcomes, we want our students to be well rounded individuals who will thrive beyond school years; that's why we deliberately teach prosocial behaviours like making eye contact when greeted, listening attentively and showing gratitude. We know these skills will set all of our students up for life, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

When students fall behind, our teachers run interventions outside of their lessons. We provide an extra session after school for all year 11 students so their families don't have to worry about paying for a tutor. Teachers work hard at FGCS. Our students deserve nothing less and we expect the highest of standards from them because we know they are capable of achieving them.

But we invest in working smart too: we have a 3 week Christmas holiday, no retrospective book marking, no student report writing and a 4 and half day week.

We recognise talent and impact at FGCS. There are lots of opportunities for promotions within the school and Community Schools Trust. Our staff body at all levels is a true reflection of the makeup of the community we serve - we are proud of this and welcome anyone who will add value to our wonderful school community.

We would love to hear from you if you think this sounds like the right place for you We welcome visits; come and speak to our Headteacher, our staff and check out our lessons Get in touch with us: email or calling

The Community Schools Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. In order to meet this responsibility, we follow the government's Safer Recruiting Guidelines and all appointments will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and satisfactory references. We will also conduct an online search as recommended in the Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.