October 2013
Dear Applicant,
Thank you for expressing an interest in the post of Director of Learning and Teaching for English and Media Studies, at The
Heath School; this post is suitable for an experienced KS coordinator or existing curriculum leader and has become available
due to the acting Head of English gaining promotion. It is an excellent opportunity to work with and lead exceptional
colleagues, in an outstanding school at a very exciting time in The Heath’s history, especially as the role will encompass KS5
development and preparation for 6th Form, as well as whole school leadership of ‘Literacy Across the Curriuculum’. Our
curriculum provides diversity and personalisation for all students. In the Faculty of English, we want to develop confident
students who are effective and reflective communicators. We believe in fostering a love of literature and an appreciation of
how language can inform, entertain, shift and provide ambiguities. To complement our curriculum, we offer a wide range of
extra-curricular activities at both KS3 and KS4. We are looking for a Director of Learning and Teaching to deliver the school
vision within English, further raise attainment and continue to drive improvement in this Outstanding Faculty. We look for
innovation, effectiveness and inspiration.
At Key Stage 4 we offer the WJEC syllabus in English, English Language and English Literature. At Key Stage 3 our students
follow a broad and balanced curriculum covering units of work in accordance with National Curriculum requirements. We
want students to learn about themselves, their relationships and to have an awareness of their place in a multi-cultural
society, as well as to prepare them for the resilience needed to meet the demands of the 21st century. In order to address this,
our units of work are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure high engagement and contemporary relevance.
The Faculty of English are confident practitioners of APP for reading, Writing and Speaking and Listening. PLTS, Seal and
Citizenship values are embedded into all of our lessons. Our results reflect targeted intervention, personalising of the
students’ curriculum and removing barriers to learning in reading, writing and speaking and listening. We have high
expectations of all students, no matter what their prior attainment, enabling all to achieve highly.
The department places a high value on the importance of enrichment activities and see this as an important extension to the
curriculum. Our enrichment activities include regular entry into the Halton Public Speaking Club, theatre trips, Creative Writing
trips to Menai and an English Club. This Easter, we are taking Year 10 students to the WW1 Battlefields in Belgium to study
War Poetry and develop non-fiction and fiction writing skills as we prepare for Controlled Assessments and the exam. We also
take part in the school’s ‘Learn for Life’ days, October saw the whole of Year 8 take part in a ‘teenager’ themed day in English.
Students at The Heath appreciate great teaching by outstanding teachers; this is an excellent school and a great place to work.
You will lead, support and be supported by a team of nine people who are committed to inspiring our pupils to achieve. I
hope you will consider applying for this position; I look forward to receiving your application. If you have any questions please
do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely
Helen Newcombe
(Assistant Principal)