Teacher of English (Maternity Cover 1 Year)

Overview

Teacher of English (Maternity Cover 1 Year)

 The Sandon School is a popular, oversubscribed 11-18 mixed comprehensive of approximately 1280 students with an excellent reputation in the local area.  We have superb facilities and view ourselves as an innovative teaching and learning community.  The school is situated close to the A12 on the east side of Chelmsford within easy reach of Chelmsford, Colchester, Southend and Brentwood and has good public transport links.

We require from January/April 2026 a well-qualified, inspirational teacher of English to join a strong and supportive department.  Applications would be welcomed from both experienced colleagues and ECTs. Part-time applications will be considered.

We offer: 

• Excellent access to ICT facilities
• A friendly and supportive staff
• A commitment to continuous professional development

 We are seeking: 

• An excellent and innovative classroom practitioner
• Excellent administrative and organisation skills
• A confident and competent user of ICT systems

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.  Appointments will be subject to references and enhanced DBS checks.

Closing date for applications: midday on Friday 31 October 2025

Further information can be found in the information pack or from the school’s website.  If you have any additional queries, or you would like to arrange a visit or request an application form, please contact Recruitment by phone on 01245 473611 or by email Recruitment@sandon.essex.sch.uk. 

Job Details

Teacher Role Guide

Classroom Teacher

The professional duties of all teachers (other than the Headteacher) are set out in the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD) and describe the duties required of all main scale/upper scale teaching posts.

In addition, the requirements for the post of Teacher at The Sandon School are set out below.

• Support the Headteacher in promoting and maintaining the work and good order of the school
• Implement and deliver an appropriately broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum for students and to support a designated Curriculum Area as appropriate
• Monitor and support the overall progress and development of students as a teacher/ form tutor
• Facilitate and encourage a learning experience which provides students with the opportunity to achieve their individual potential
• Contribute to raising standards of student attainment
• Share and support the school’s responsibility to provide and monitor opportunities for personal and academic growth

Knowledge and Understanding

• Has a secure subject knowledge and understanding of the key concepts and skills of their specialist subject(s)
• Has a detailed knowledge and understanding where applicable of the National Curriculum programmes of study (KS3 and KS4) and level descriptions (KS3) of their specialist subject(s)
• Is familiar with the relevant KS4 and post-16 examination syllabuses and courses within their specialist subject(s)
• Understands the framework of 14-19 qualifications and the route of progression through it for their specialist subject(s).
• Understands progression from the KS2 programmes of study for their specialist subject(s)
• Knows and can teach the key skills relevant to their specialist subject(s) and understands the contribution that their specialist subject(s) make(s) to the development of Key skills
• Is aware of relevant research evidence on teaching students in their specialist subject(s) and knows how to use this to inform and improve teaching
• Has for their specialist subject(s) a secure knowledge and understanding of ICT content
• Is familiar with any relevant subject-specific health and safety requirements, and plans lessons to avoid potential hazards

Planning

Planning of lessons to ensure progression in students’ learning to include the following elements:

• The identification of clear teaching objectives and content and how these will be taught and assessed
• Setting of tasks for all students, including homework that challenges those students and ensures high levels of student interest
• Setting of appropriate and demanding expectations for students’ learning, motivation and presentation of work
• Setting of clear targets for students’ learning, building on prior attainment, which take into account a student’s special educational needs
• Planning of clearly structured lessons and sequences of lessons which maintain pace, motivation and challenge for students
• Use of assessment information on students’ attainment and progress to plan future lessons and sequences of lessons

Teaching and Class management

• Ensures effective teaching of classes allocated on the timetable, and of groups and individuals within the whole class setting, so that teaching objectives are met and best use is made of available teaching time
• Maintain an orderly and purposeful working atmosphere in lessons
• Set high expectations for students’ behaviour, establishing and maintaining a good standard of discipline through well-focused teaching and through positive and productive relationships
• Establish a safe environment which supports learning and in which students feel secure and confident
• Use a variety of teaching methods which engage students’ curiosity, enthusiasm and motivation and which match the students learning needs
• Ensure familiarity with the current SEND Code of Practice in order to identify and support students with SEND. Record teaching strategies and develop resources to help students make best progress
• Ensure that students acquire and consolidate knowledge, skills and understanding in the subjects taught
• Evaluate one’s teaching critically and use this self-review to improve the effectiveness of the teaching

Monitoring, assessment and recording

• Assess how well learning objectives have been achieved and use this assessment to improve specific aspects of teaching
• Mark and monitor students’ assigned class work and homework, providing constructive oral and written feedback, and setting targets for students progress
• Assess and record students’ progress systematically, including through focused observation, questioning, testing and marking, and use these records to:

1. Check that students have understood and completed the work set
2. Monitor strengths and weaknesses and use the information gained as a basis for purposeful intervention in students’ learning

Inform planning

• Check that students continue to make demonstrable progress in their acquisition of the knowledge, skills and understanding of the subject(s) taught
• Be familiar with the statutory assessment and reporting requirements and know how to prepare and present informative reports to parents where applicable
• Understand and know how national, local, comparative and school data, including National Curriculum test data, where applicable can be used to set clear targets for students’ achievement
• Use different kinds of assessment appropriately for different purposes including standardised tests, and baseline assessment where relevant

Other Professional requirements

All teachers should:

• Set a good example to the students taught, through their presentation and their personal and professional conduct
• Be committed to ensuring that every student is given the opportunity to achieve their potential and meet the high expectations set for them
• Understand the need to take responsibility for their own professional development and to keep up to date with research and developments in pedagogy and in the subjects they teach
• Understand their professional responsibilities in relation to school policies and practices, in particular those concerned with safeguarding, pastoral matters and health and safety
• Recognise that learning takes place inside and outside the school context, and understand the need to liaise effectively with parents and other carers and with agencies with responsibility for students’ education and welfare

Person Specification

 It is likely that the successful candidate will satisfy the following specification:

Salary & Benefits

Salary: MPS/UPS

Location

The Sandon School
Molrams Lane
Chelmsford
Essex
CM2 7AQ

Supporting documents

• • Application form Teaching Staff 2025-2026 download_for_offline
    download_for_offlineApplication form Teaching Staff 2025-2026
  • Teacher of English Information Pack Jan 2026 - Mat Cover download_for_offline
    download_for_offlineTeacher of English Information Pack Jan 2026 - Mat Cover

   

Job reference: