Key Stage Lead

About us and the role

We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Key Stage Lead for English to join our growing school, which was graded Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted in May 2025. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and ambitious practitioner to take on a leadership role within a high-performing English department.

Working closely with the Subject Lead, the successful candidate will support the strategic and operational leadership of English, with a particular focus on curriculum coherence, standards, and outcomes within a key stage. You will contribute to curriculum planning and development across English Language and English Literature, support assessment and quality assurance processes, and play an active role in raising standards of teaching and learning.

As Key Stage Lead, you will model excellent classroom practice, support and mentor colleagues, and contribute to the effective day-to-day organisation of the department. You will play a key role in driving improvement through thoughtful self-evaluation, use of assessment data, and a clear focus on inclusive and ambitious provision for all learners.

This role offers an excellent opportunity for a teacher seeking to develop their leadership experience within an Outstanding school, while contributing to the continued success and future development of the English department, including preparation for future Key Stage 5 provision as the school moves towards the opening of Avanti6 in September 2027.

Interviews are due to take place on 22nd January 2026.

School visits are welcomed and encouraged, please contact the school to arrange a suitable time.

Avanti Grange is Bishop's Stortford's newest secondary school, already recognised as Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted Our state-of-the-art campus serves families across Bishop's Stortford and neighbouring villages, and is home to a vibrant, ambitious and supportive community. The school is heavily oversubscribed, reflecting its strong reputation locally and the demand to be part of our journey.

We are a co-educational community school, part of the Avanti Schools Trust, with a clear vision to inspire spiritually compassionate changemakers. Our staff are motivated by a shared purpose: to deliver exceptional teaching, foster character formation, and nurture wellbeing. As one colleague put it: "Working at Avanti Grange feels like being part of a family with a shared, values-driven mission."

We are equally committed to the growth of our staff as to the success of our students. In 2024, we were awarded the Teacher Development Trust Gold Award for the quality and culture of our professional development – recognition held by only a small number of schools nationally. Through education-leading CPD and coaching, colleagues at Avanti Grange thrive in an environment where "better never stops."

Students benefit from a rigorous, knowledge-rich curriculum, underpinned by yoga, mindfulness, and an exceptional co-curricular programme. Our pastoral system is a defining strength: impeccable behaviour supports high-quality learning, while wellbeing is woven into daily life through practices that allow both staff and students to flourish.

With more than 660 students on roll and growing each year towards a full secondary and sixth form, Avanti Grange offers a rare opportunity to help shape one of the most exciting schools in the region.

What will you do?

• Deliver the curriculum effectively and adapt teaching to meet the age, ability, and needs of the students taught.
• Assist in the day-to-day leadership and organisation of the department, deputising for the Subject Lead when required.
• Establish a safe, purposeful, and stimulating learning environment rooted in mutual respect.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, sharing good practice and contributing to curriculum and organisational development.

Why you should apply:

Avanti exists to help each person become a well-rounded human being through intellectual, moral and spiritual growth, and so make the world a better place.

You will be working in a fantastic environment, with:

• Great opportunities for professional development
• Teacher pension scheme (subject to eligibility)
• O2 discounts, Specsavers corporate eye test vouchers
• Eligible for NUS Card and CSSC membership
• Well-being programs (retreats, yoga, wellness apps)
• Cycle-to-work Scheme

What are we looking for?

• QTS Qualified
• Qualified to Bachelor or higher degree level in English or similar subject grouping
• Significant teaching experience with the ability to demonstrate delivering high standards
• Able to self-start, work independently and collaboratively as part of a team - whether led or leading
• Effective and compelling management style that secures the buy-in of stakeholders and encourages confidence and creativity alongside high levels of personal and team organisation
• Commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of all students

Please view the full Job Description for more information on the responsibilities and essential criteria required for this role.

Further information

Pre-employment checks

Avanti Schools Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates are required to have an Enhanced DBS check unless internally appointed and still within the cycle of DBS re-checks.

Any appointment subsequently made will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory references and other pre-employment checks.

Diversity and Inclusion

We want to make sure we are attracting the widest possible range of people and ensure that they are accepted, understood and treated equally when they work here. This means we will work hard to understand that each employee is unique and ensuring that individuals or groups are not treated differently or less favourably on the basis of specific characteristics.

Such characteristics include (but are not limited to) age, disability, gender including transgender, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, and how the school supports pregnant women and new parents.