Professional Summary
Senior secondary school teacher with extensive experience directing English Language and Literature instruction across Key Stages 3 and 4. Adept at designing structured schemes of work, mentoring early career educators, and coordinating standardised assessment frameworks across multi-academy trusts to support sustained pupil progress.
Professional Experience
Whiston Grange Academy
Manchester
Lead Teacher of English
Sept 2018 – Present
- Lead Key Stage 4 English curriculum delivery across five mixed-ability classes, supporting an average GCSE cohort pass rate of 82% in English Language and Literature.
- Mentor four early career teachers annually, conducting regular instructional observations and facilitating collaborative moderation sessions.
- Design and implement targeted reading intervention programmes for Year 10 pupils performing below expected attainment thresholds.
- Coordinate moderation procedures across three trust partner schools to align assessment standards with national examination criteria.
Cranford Brook High School
Manchester
Second in Department, English
Sept 2012 – Aug 2018
- Taught English Language and Literature across Key Stages 3 and 4 to groups ranging from 24 to 32 students.
- Supervised departmental curriculum development for the revised GCSE specifications, structuring long-term schemes of learning.
- Served as Year 11 Form Tutor, liaising with safeguarding leads and parents to support academic retention and wellbeing.
Medlock Bridge High School
Manchester
Teacher of English
Sept 2006 – Aug 2012
- Delivered Key Stage 3 and 4 English lessons, establishing structured classroom routines and formative feedback cycles.
- Organised annual cross-curricular creative writing showcases involving over 150 participating pupils.
Education
University of Manchester
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) · Secondary English · Manchester, United Kingdom · Pass with Distinction · Sept 2000 – Jun 2001
Completed school-centred initial teacher training with placements across Key Stages 3 and 4, focusing on inclusive literacy instruction.
Manchester Metropolitan University
Bachelor of Arts (BA Hons) · English Literature · Manchester, United Kingdom · Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1) · Sept 1997 – Jun 2000
Focused on nineteenth-century literature, dialect studies, and textual analysis with an emphasis on curriculum-relevant texts.
Curriculum & School Projects
Multi-Academy Trust Writing Assessment Framework
Oct 2023 – May 2024
- Standardised essay-marking criteria and created exemplars used by seven secondary English departments across Greater Manchester.
- Delivered half-day training sessions on formative marking techniques for 35 secondary educators.
Core Competencies
Secondary English Curriculum Design
GCSE Preparation & Assessment
Instructional Coaching & Mentoring
Key Stage 3 & 4 Pedagogy
Differentiated Instruction
Formative & Summative Evaluation
Safeguarding & Pastoral Support
Cross-School Assessment Moderation
Literacy Intervention Programmes
Languages
English
C2
French
B1
Certifications & Licences
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
Department for Education · Jul 2001
National Professional Qualification for Middle Leadership (NPQML)
National College for School Leadership · Jun 2019
Community & Volunteer Experience
Ancoats Youth Learning Trust
Manchester · Jan 2021 – Present
- Volunteer Literacy Mentor
- Facilitate weekly evening reading circles and homework support sessions for secondary school pupils preparing for examinations.