Job Introduction
Literacy Leader Miltoncross Academy, Portsmouth Leadership opportunity in a values-driven school community We’re seeking a dynamic, visionary Literacy Leader to drive whole-school literacy improvement and inspire a culture where reading, writing, speaking and listening thrive across every subject and every classroom. This is a key leadership role in the school that is continuing some very strong work and building something purposeful and sustainable, where staff and students know they are doing their best work for the right reasons. We are an academy at the heart of our community, guided by three core values: Work Hard. Be Kind. No Excuses. These principles shape everything we do, from curriculum design to daily interactions; they underpin a culture where all of our learning is valued and people are respected.
We offer a collegiate, supportive working environment where the shared vision is simple: every young person will leave us having exceeded expectations; academically, personally, and socially because we believed in them, challenged them, and never settled for less. The measurement of this success will be when we have the best progress in Portsmouth, which will be within 5 Years. We will not achieve this without high levels of literacy and so we are seeking a Literacy Leader who will be passionate and knowledgeable about children’s literacy development, especially reading. They will have a strong track record of good teaching and be ready to motivate and lead others to achieve improved reading skills. We believe that literacy is the key tenet for young people to be able to grow and learn well. Being able to operate in, and communicate successfully with, society and all it can offer is a gift that we must ensure young people can access. Strong literacy, above anything else, is the game changer in young people crafting their way in the world.
What You’ll Do
●Lead the development and delivery of a strategic literacy vision across the school
●Empower staff with high-impact literacy strategies through training and coaching
●Champion reading for pleasure and academic success through innovative initiatives
●Collaborate with the librarian in the delivery of your robust literacy strategy
●Collaborate with departments to embed disciplinary literacy into the curriculum
●Track progress, evaluate impact, and celebrate success
Who You Are
●A skilled teacher with a deep understanding of literacy pedagogy
●A confident communicator and motivator of colleagues and students alike
●A creative thinker with a track record of raising literacy outcomes
●A strategic leader ready to make a whole-school impact
Whether you’re an experienced senior or middle leader or an ambitious classroom teacher ready to take the next step, we’ll support your growth with tailored CPD, leadership development, and the chance to shape a key area of our school’s future while developing your potential for further leadership. Why Join Us?
●A vibrant, inclusive school community that values innovation and collaboration
●A leadership team committed to literacy as a driver of equity and excellence
●Opportunities to lead exciting whole-school projects and events
●Access to national networks and professional development
●Dedicated CPD Programme
●Dedicated Reading Time
●Strong existing team of enthusiastic teachers and support staff who are all onboard
●Collegiate school
●A school rapidly improving with big ambitions - be part of them!
●Excellent modern buildings and facilities.
●A culture of clarity, kindness, and high aspiration.
●Strong Trust support for Literacy
●Trust Literacy conferences ●Easy access from the M27 and A27—staff commute from Southampton, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, and West Sussex.
●A leadership team committed to staff wellbeing and professional development. Your ambition, energy, love of reading, and passion for teaching, combined with our dedicated support, weekly CPD (2:30 to 4:30 every Tuesday) and timetabled (school day) department meetings will serve our wonderful pupils superbly. Working for TKAT: As part of The Kemnal Academies Trust (TKAT), you’ll benefit from:
●A wide range of professional development opportunities across TKAT academies
●Collegiate work with other Literacy Leads, locally and nationally
●Strong external support
●Wellbeing support and a strong sense of purpose.
●The reward of improving life chances for our pupils.
If you’d like to arrange a visit to Miltoncross or you just fancy a confidential and informal conversation with the Headteacher, please do not hesitate to contact his PA at janet.french@miltoncrossacademy-tkat.org. We’d be thrilled to hear from you!
We reserve the right to withdraw this advert early if a suitable candidate is found before the advertised closing date.
Closing date
16.10.2025
Interview date
TBC
Salary
MPS/UPS plus TLR £4,500
Hours
32.5 hours per week
Contract type
Permanent
Location
Miltoncross Academy, Portsmouth, Hampshire
Job Type
Full time
Start date
1st January 2026
Flexible working
TKAT recognises the value of enabling our employees to develop their career and balance this with their commitments and interests outside of work. In TKAT we promote flexible working practices and opportunities to promote a positive work life balance.
Our Commitment - Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Belonging
At TKAT, we are committed to Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Belonging. We embrace and celebrate differences, value individual experiences, aspirations, and achievements, and continuously learn how to grow better together. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, as we believe diversity strengthens our community and drives us forward.
Access to interview
Be Who You Are at TKAT - should you be selected and invited to interview please let us know if you require us to adapt the recruitment process to enable you to participate as your authentic self. We want applicants to be able to engage with us in ways that support who they are and we are committed to making adjustments within the recruitment process and within the workplace.
Safeguarding
TKAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Offers of employment will be subject to the full safer recruitment process, including an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.
