English Teacher | Free School | Peterborough

The Opportunity Peterborough is an rapidly expanding cathedral city, combining deep historical roots—from its spectacular Norman heritage to its status as a vital environmental and sustainable business hub. We are seeking an ambitious English Teacher to join an innovative free school . This role offers a unique opportunity to challenge students to master the nuances of language, critical analysis, and powerful rhetoric, using the city’s unique combination of heritage and rapid modern growth to show how brilliant communication drives societal progress. The School As an independent, state-funded free school established to meet the specific needs of our local community, we operate with a unique sense of purpose. We are unshackled by local authority boundaries, allowing us to build a highly bespoke, knowledge-rich curriculum and a distinct school culture. We maintain an uncompromising focus on calm classroom environments, structured behavioural routines, and a warm, supportive pastoral framework where every child is fully known and expected to achieve. The Department & Literary Framework You will be joining an energetic, close-knit English team that values collaborative curriculum design, shared resources, and a deeply analytical approach to reading. The department utilizes a text-first curriculum, immersing students in complete novels, plays, and poetry anthologies from day one rather than relying on fragmented extracts. The school features vibrant, modern classroom spaces equipped with targeted learning displays and interactive technology built to support structured reading and writing. We prioritize regular, low-stakes writing competitions and internal public speaking showcases to give student voices a platform across the school community. Core Responsibilities High-Impact Lesson Delivery: Planning and teaching rigorous English Language and Literature lessons at Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 (GCSE) that build conceptual depth and academic confidence. Analytical Reading Habits: Training students to read with a critical eye, dissecting authorial intent, structural motifs, and the historical contexts that shape great literature. Structured Writing Precision: Systematically breaking down the mechanics of sophisticated writing, helping students transition from basic paragraphs to authoritative analytical essays. Diagnostic Assessment: Utilizing regular, localized assessment metrics to catch misconceptions early, providing immediate, actionable feedback to drive exam progress. Form Tutor Duties: Leading a dedicated form group, acting as the primary point of academic and pastoral support for a cohort of students. The Successful Candidate We are looking for a dedicated professional who loves the mechanics of language and has the drive to cultivate exceptional literacy across a diverse student body. Your application should show: Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) alongside a strong degree in English Literature, English Language, or a related humanities discipline. High Classroom Standards: The ability to implement explicit routines and maintain a highly focused, respectful, and productive learning environment. Pedagogical Clarity: A skill for explaining complex literary devices and grammatical structures in a way that is accessible, memorable, and intellectually engaging. Growth Mindset: A reflective practitioner who welcomes constructive feedback, values peer-to-peer coaching, and wants to grow within the school. Why Join Our Team? The chance to work in a free school setting where your voice directly shapes the evolving curriculum and the ongoing development of the school’s identity. Highly structured, continuous professional development (CPD) focusing on cognitive load theory, advanced questioning, and middle leadership pathways. The benefits of living and working in Peterborough—a exceptionally well-connected city offering affordable housing, sprawling green spaces, and a 45-minute train link into central London. A realistic, evidence-based approach to teacher marking and admin, specifically designed to maximize classroom impact while protecting your work-life balance. How to Apply Please submit your current CV to begin the application process.