Gillian Ansell

Leigh Academy Trust took over the school (previously named King Henry ) and appointed a new Leadership Team of which I was appointed to. The brief: to raise standards in every area. Employing a small school model, where students where allocated into colleges with named ALT responsible for behaviour and attitudes and attendance

My particular areas of responsibility included:

Whole School

• Development & implementation of a Whole School Literacy Strategy
• Academy Lead for LAC.
• Line Management of Director of Learning for English - Impact- year on year increase
• Deputy whole school Designed Safeguarding Lead (Level 3 )

College responsibilities

• Behaviour and attitudes - Lowest rate of suspensions in the academy
• Attendance - Impact - Lowest PA rate in the academy.

The above areas of responsibility involved:

• Presenting to senior colleagues from the trust as part of learning walks and reviews
• Performed classroom evaluations to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness.
• Modelled excellent leadership skills to promote positive interaction between teaching staff and students.
• Monitored student behaviour, looking for trends and identifying students that require enhanced support and intervention
• Delivered CPD to staff around Literacy and SEND
• Delivered Parent/ Carer workshops around literacy and reading
• Regular parent meetings to support student engagement and progress with a particular focus on students with SEN
• Conducted performance appraisals for staff members, leading to increased productivity.
• Presented to senior colleagues from the trust as part of learning walks and reviews.

In addition I taught English to KS4 , year 10 and 11 with a particular focus on 'hard to reach' and students with SEN. The impact of this was increased attendance and achieving target grades for 70% with 17% achieving above target.

As part of a small leadership team responsibilities included:

• Line Management of the SENCO
• Raising standards
• Reading and Whole School Literacy
• Pupil Premium Strategy
• Attendance
• Behaviour and Attitudes

In addition I also taught English at KS4 and KS5.

In the years I was the Head of English I overhauled the curriculum to ensure it provided a rich and broad experience to students, selecting texts that allowed students to develop rich knowledge and understanding. In addition ensuring teachers where informed, trained and prepared for the changes in GCSE.

In the first year of the new English GSCE our department results where above the national average, a significant achievement in a boys comprehensive in a grammar area.

• Conducted regular assessments of pupil's work, providing constructive feedback for improvement.
• Supervised and participated in school activities enhancing community engagement and student involvement.
• Prepared students for standardised tests, contributing to their successful performance.
• Instigated cultural capital visits, enriching students understanding of literature texts and contexts.
• Quickly established expertise and success with 'hard to reach students'

• Delivered lessons according to school curriculum guidelines; ensured consistency in teaching standards across all classrooms.
• Adapted lesson plans to accommodate individual learning needs.
• Utilised technology effectively in delivering lessons and tracking student progress.
• Ensured safety and wellbeing of students with regular risk assessments.

• Ensured effective learning environment by maintaining classroom discipline and management.
• Promoted a positive educational atmosphere with clear communication and rapport building.
• Assisted students in understanding subject material, promoting academic advancement.
• Monitored student behaviour, establishing respectful and productive learning spaces.
• Delivered teacher prepared lessons for planned absences - adapted where necessary
• Adapted resources for unplanned and /or unexpected teacher absence

Worked with a student with significant needs, supporting her ability to engage with the curriculum, this involved adapting resources and supporting her personal development.