Curriculum Lead Lower School

Salary: Teachers Pay scale (Fringe) pls TLR 2b £5834

Working Hours:  37.5 hours per week – Term Time Only

Closing Date: 16 October 2026

Starting Date: January 2027

Can you make a difference to the lives of our students?

Are you resilient, enthusiastic, and passionate about helping young people succeed?

Do you thrive in a challenging yet highly rewarding environment where every day presents an opportunity to transform someone’s life?

If so, West Heath School could be the place for you.

At West Heath School, we know that education changes lives. Our dedicated staff work tirelessly to rebuild confidence, develop resilience, and inspire hope in young people who have often faced significant barriers to learning. Teaching respect, fostering responsibility, building positive relationships, and nurturing personal growth are at the heart of everything we do.

We are seeking an ambitious and innovative Curriculum Lead to develop and deliver our engaging, primary-based Acorns Curriculum for students in Years 5, 6 and 7.

At West Heath School, we recognise that students do not all learn at the same pace or arrive with the same educational experiences. For this reason, our Acorns provision is built upon a stage-not-age philosophy. We believe students should access learning that reflects their current knowledge, understanding, and developmental readiness, rather than solely their chronological age. This approach secures foundational knowledge, provides appropriate challenge, and enables students to experience success whilst progressing towards ambitious outcomes.

Our curriculum is fundamentally student-centred. Learning is personalised to meet individual strengths, interests, barriers, and aspirations. Through adaptive teaching, carefully planned pathways, and meaningful learning experiences, we re-engage students with education and support them to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We recognise that no two learners are the same and therefore no two learning journeys should be either.

This exciting leadership role spans Key Stage 2 (Years 5 and 6) and Key Stage 3 (Year 7 and Year 8), ensuring continuity, consistency, and successful transition for students as they move through our Lower School provision.

Working closely with the Head of Curriculum, Heads of Department, and the wider teaching team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping a bespoke educational experience that enables every student to achieve their full potential.

Why West Heath School?

At West Heath School, we believe that personal development is every bit as important as academic achievement. Relationships underpin everything we do, and we know that students learn best when they feel safe, understood, and valued.

Our Lower School provision uses thematic, kinaesthetic, and experiential approaches to learning, helping students reconnect with education whilst developing confidence, curiosity, and independence.

A key strength of our curriculum is the transition from KS2 into KS3. By bridging the gap between primary and secondary education, we provide stability, nurture, and continuity at a crucial point in our students' educational journey.

We are proud of our innovative whole-school curriculum, which makes full use of our beautiful environment, specialist staff, and unique learning opportunities. Learning extends far beyond the classroom and includes:

• Outdoor learning opportunities
• Orienteering programmes
• Preparation for Adulthood activities
• Community engagement days
• Therapeutic and experiential learning experiences

These opportunities bring learning to life while developing confidence, resilience, independence, and essential life skills.

The students you'll support

Many of our students have experienced significant disruption to their education and present with a range of additional needs. As a result, some learners may have considerable attainment gaps and require carefully tailored support to re-engage with learning.

We are looking for a leader who can inspire engagement, think creatively, and adapt learning to meet individual needs. Successful staff at West Heath School are energetic, flexible, and committed to making learning both challenging and enjoyable. They understand that social, emotional, and mental wellbeing is fundamental to academic success and are passionate about helping young people achieve outcomes that may once have seemed out of reach.

What We Offer

In return, we can offer:

• Free lunches
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Charity Discount Scheme
• Summer and Christmas social events

·         Free on-site parking

·         Access to our swimming pool

·         Outstanding training and professional development opportunities, both internal and external

·         The opportunity to make a genuine difference every day

If you would like to find out more about our school or arrange a visit prior to applying, please contact our HR Team at whs.HR-team@westheathschool.com.

Working at West Heath School involves close and unsupervised contact with vulnerable groups including children and as such is a regulated activity. The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must be willing to undergo safeguarding screening appropriate to the post (including an Enhanced DBS check. Management positions will require a 128 Check.)