Literacy lies at the heart of every subject—helping pupils build confidence, achieve success, and thrive in school and beyond. If you’re an experienced Secondary School Teacher with a passion for supporting pupils who struggle with reading and a desire to make a real, lasting impact, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

The DFE English Hub

Yorkshire Endeavour English Hub is one of only 34, across England, appointed by the DfE to take a leading role in supporting schools to improve their teaching of reading, oracy and writing.

This network was set initially up 7 years ago to improve reading standards across the country and improve education outcomes for the most disadvantaged children in Primary Schools.

From September 2026, we will now be supporting secondary schools to improve the teaching and learning of reading, strengthening whole-school approaches and supporting pupils with identified reading needs.

Visit our website to find out more.

Our Opportunity

We are seeking enthusiastic and committed secondary teachers and leaders to join our English Hub as Literacy Specialists, supporting schools across Hambleton, Ryedale and Scarborough in North Yorkshire, the East Riding, and the City of York to improve pupils reading skills.

This opportunity is not limited to English department teachers. We are looking for passionate secondary practitioners who believe in the power of reading and are committed to helping pupils develop the literacy skills they need to thrive across the curriculum and beyond school.

As a Literacy Specialist, you will work with secondary schools to strengthen reading across all subject areas, helping teachers build the knowledge, confidence and strategies needed to support pupils’ reading development. You will champion the message that every teacher is a teacher of literacy, ensuring reading becomes a shared responsibility across the school community.

The role also brings significant benefits to your own school. Literacy Specialists receive a high-quality training programme funded by the Department for Education, alongside ongoing support from national experts. This professional development will deepen your expertise in evidence-informed reading practice and equip you with effective approaches that can positively impact both the schools you support and your own setting.

This is a rewarding opportunity to develop your leadership experience, expand your professional network, and strengthen your career pathway while contributing to meaningful school improvement across the region.

*Please read the application pack to view the full details of the secondment including pay arrangements.

Purpose of the role

• To support school leaders to take an evidence based, ‘whole school’ approach to reading.
• Provide support to leaders on how to implement, monitor and track improvements in reading.
• Provide knowledge and expertise to school leaders on reading assessment, data tracking and intervention systems and procedures to effectively identify and support pupils with reading needs.
• Share knowledge and expertise with school leaders and teachers on phonics, reading fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension development.
• Support leaders to plan and deliver continuous professional development including coaching, on reading strategies.
• Work with staff delivering reading interventions to coach and model best practice.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Act as a lead professional, consistently promoting the values and principles of the English Hub programme in all aspects of support work.
• Engage fully in all CPD, team meetings, and training to ensure the effective delivery of the Hub programme.
• Deliver targeted in-school support for Partner Schools, including training and CPD, modelling effective practice, coaching staff, and supporting improvements in reading leadership and classroom teaching.
• Produce clear action plans and reports for schools, identifying and prioritising next steps, evaluating barriers and enabling factors, and supporting sustainable improvement outcomes.
• Maintain regular communication with the Hub Lead regarding the progress and delivery of support for allocated schools, raising concerns promptly and celebrating successes.
• Communicate effectively with Partner Schools and the Hub Team regarding visit schedules, availability, and ongoing support arrangements.
• Ensure that evidence-informed practice and the core values of the English Hub programme are consistently reflected within both their own school and supported schools.

You will have:

• Substantial experience working in KS3
• Senior or Middle Leadership experience
• Reading / Literacy leadership experience
• A passion for literacy
• Ability to lead and develop the teaching and practice of others
• Understanding and experience of effective action planning

Candidates will need to currently be employed directly by a school; we cannot accept applications from candidates employed via agency. 

As this role is for an experienced teacher, it is therefore not suitable for ECT’s.

Application Process

Applicants must seek permission for this secondment before applying. A reference request will be made for shortlisted candidates.

Applicants will need to complete the form with their Headteacher confirming their commitment. Applications should be sent to: NYES.Resourcing@northyorks.gov.uk. Please include your name on the word document file.

Please note CVs will not be accepted.

Key Documents

Application Pack

Application Form

Queries 

Please contact Chloe Bullen at Chloe.Bullen@northyorks.gov.uk or on 01609 536 964

Please note this post is in regulated activity and exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and subject to satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS criminal records and barred list check for work with children. An online search may be undertaken as part of the recruitment process on information available in the public domain. Candidates should disclose anything that may be relevant in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

North Yorkshire Council (NYC) advertise vacancies and process applications on behalf of schools and external organisations (third parties) in North Yorkshire. NYC are not responsible for the recruitment/employment practices of third parties and accept no liability in relation to the vacancy and any subsequent recruitment/employment processes. Further information on how we process your data can be found here.