Principal Design Lead (Primary English Mastery)

Reports to: Head of Primary English

Location: Mainly working from home – currently operating an agile working policy with one core day (Wednesday) in the West London office

Contract: Permanent

Pattern: Flexible (between 3 – 5 days per week)

Closing date: 21/02/2023 at 5pm

Interviews: Interviews will be held 22^nd – 23^rd of February, although earlier interviews will arranged as suitable candidates are identified, so early application is strongly advised

Salary: £44,000 to £52,000 (pro-rata, depending on experience)

We are looking for an experienced KS2 teacher and English Lead with a passion for the subject, a deep knowledge and love of literature and the ability to enthuse and motivate not only children but also teachers and school leaders, to join our Primary English team. You must be able to start in the summer term, however we are flexible on the start date and willing to delay until after SATs if you are a current Y6 teacher.

About the role:

This role is a great opportunity to influence and support the English teaching of hundreds of primary teachers, transforming the English learning experience of thousands of KS2 pupils.

As the Principal Design Lead at Ark Curriculum Plus (AC+) you will lead the research and development of the Primary English Mastery curriculum.  In the first instance, the key focus will be on the conceptual development of the Y6 programme, creating the design elements, sequencing, progression, materials and resources for reading, writing and grammar lessons.

This will include: reviewing current curriculum materials; undertaking school visits to inform research; and working in collaboration with our pioneer schools and Y6 teacher panel. You will also be responsible for designing and facilitating professional development sessions for KS2 teachers.

Through ensuring the consistent high quality of the English programme, the Principal Design Lead plays a key role in both its reach and impact.  

Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute to and implement the Primary English programme strategy
• Create and revise curriculum, teaching content and professional development materials
• Identify and select high quality curriculum writers to create content, ensuring adequate briefing and quality control
• Implement a rigorous and effective content review process and ensure that quality standards are maintained
• Work with the Schools Development team to ensure our current partners are well supported
• Keep abreast of sector and subject developments, legislative changes, research findings and innovative practice on a national and international level and ensure this informs programme design
• Maintain a deep understanding of current users’ experience in order to develop a pipeline for new products and/or programme developments in English 
• Participate in the continual improvement mechanisms established with Ark Schools and our wider partnership of schools

Key Requirements:

• At least five years’ teaching experience, including upper KS2 (ideally recent Y6 teaching, SATs, and moderation experience)
• A proven record in delivering outstanding achievement in English, particularly for pupils with low prior attainment in challenging urban schools
• Experienced and confident leader with a history of impact in English leadership, and of creating an environment and school climate that is conducive to change
• Up-to-date knowledge of the current KS2 English curriculum and assessment requirements and best practice in implementation and delivery of professional development
• Track record of providing professional development to teachers, including coaching, mentoring, and training 
• Vision aligned with AC+’s high aspirations and expectations of self and others
• Enjoys working in a fast-paced, ambitious organisation

View the full job description and person specification here

About Ark Curriculum Plus:

Ark Curriculum Plus is a not-for-profit education venture. Our mission is to empower teachers to give every young person, regardless of their background, the subject knowledge and skills that will allow them to succeed. We believe that great curriculum design and delivery leads to improved teaching and learner outcomes, which impacts positively on children’s life chances.

Our commitment is to empower and equip schools to provide high quality subject teaching, through curriculum and integrated professional development, in order to develop young people’s subject mastery.

We are grown out of one of the highest performing Multi Academy Trust’s in the UK. Our connection with Ark gives us our experience and our specialist expertise earned while we developed and taught curriculum across our own network of 39 successful academies.

Our AC+ programmes in Primary and Secondary are used by over 700 schools in the UK, including the 39 schools in the Ark network.

AC+ helps schools transform teaching. Our integrated curriculum, assessment and bespoke professional development programme is developed in schools and has proven impact. It includes everything teachers need to plan lessons that have the highest impact on their pupil outcomes. Informed by the most up-to-date educational research, the programmes are having a fantastic impact and are getting great feedback.

Benefits

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with each year of service and full office closure between Christmas and New Year
• Hybrid working, with currently one day a week in our state-of-the-art office in West London working alongside colleagues
• Regular social events, monthly free breakfast, and daily fruit
• A flexible approach to working with understanding and consideration for work life balance and personal commitments
• As an Ark employee, you will have the opportunity to be part of the TPT (The Pension Trust) scheme, our workplace pension scheme where we make an 11% contribution; you are not required to contribute towards this scheme unless you choose to
• Access to high-quality professional learning throughout your career, offering both face-to-face sessions and a bespoke online learning platform
• Access to Ark Rewards scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers, interest-free loans available for season tickets or a bike, gym discounts offering up to 40% off your local gym and free eye tests

Interviews will be arranged as suitable candidates are identified, so early application is strongly advised.

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.  

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment – this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark’s safer recruitment process, please click this link.