Early Language and Literacy Specialist
Yorkshire Endeavour English Hub
Contract: Secondment, September 2026 – July 2027
Closing Date: 11:59pm, Monday 23rd March 2026
Informed of Longlisting Outcome: Thursday 26th March
School Visits: 22nd and 23rd April
Interviews (if shortlisted): 28th April
Are you an experienced EYFS/KS1 Teacher with a passion for language and literacy? Or as a headteacher, do you have a staff member who would add value to your school from completing this secondment?
The DFE English Hub
‘Nurturing confident, life-long readers to achieve, regardless of background or starting point.’
Yorkshire Endeavour Academy Trust are one of the founding 34 hubs nationally to be a designated ‘English Hub’, a DfE funded program, which aims for all children to achieve the best possible outcomes in early reading. The Hub aims to promote early language development, systematic synthetic phonics provision and a love of reading amongst primary pupils, with a particular focus upon EYFS and KS1.
The Literacy Specialist Role
Yorkshire Endeavour English Hub is seeking to recruit an outstanding primary teacher to work as a Literacy Specialist on a secondment basis.
You will undergo training through the English Hub programme and DfE, to develop your role and offer support to schools in our region (North Yorkshire Coast, Hambleton, Ryedale, East Riding and York City).
Time Commitment
- Summer Term 2026: 2 training days
- 1st September 2026 – 20th July 2027 - Secondment on an agreement of a minimum of a day every 3 weeks
Please read the application pack to view the full details of the secondment including pay arrangements.
Key Responsibilities
- Strengthen Reception communication, language and literacy provision in schools requiring the greatest support.
- Support schools to implement evidence-informed approaches to early literacy, including oral language, vocabulary development, comprehension and early writing.
- Help ensure strong foundations for reading and writing through effective early literacy practice.
- Analyse school data and provision to identify priorities and support leaders to implement improvements.
- Monitor progress and report developments to the English Hub Leadership Team each half term.
- Support Partner Schools in meeting DfE expectations, including implementation of the Writing Framework.
- Deliver professional development sessions and literacy audits where appropriate (training will be provided).
- Maintain a secure understanding of effective phonics practice in order to identify potential issues and signpost schools to the appropriate English Hub support.
About you
We are seeking to recruit skilled, committed and exceptional Early Years teachers and leaders who have played a leading role in improving Reception communication, language and literacy outcomes and provision within their own schools. We are looking for practitioners who are passionate about early literacy and keen to support other schools to strengthen their provision.
Early Language and Literacy Specialists are seconded from their home school, with a flexible bid for the number of days of commitment, and with the full support of their headteacher. In this role, specialists work alongside schools supported by the English Hub to help strengthen early literacy practice.
Specialists play a vital role within the English Hub, working alongside school leaders and teachers to strengthen Reception provision. A key focus is supporting schools to embed the fundamentals of early literacy, ensuring the very best start for young learners.
This is a fantastic opportunity for experienced Early Years practitioners to share their expertise, work collaboratively with other schools and contribute to improving outcomes for children across our region.
If you or a member of your team may be interested in this opportunity, please see the job description and person specification for further details about the role. If this sounds like the right opportunity, we warmly welcome your application.
Essential Skills & Experience:
- Qualified teacher status
- Trained in at least one DfE approved synthetic phonics programme
- Current or recent experience as a Reception Teacher
- Good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage
- Proven record of excellent teaching & learning, particularly early language and literacy
- Recent evidence of CPD in Early Language and Literacy Development
Candidates will need to currently be employed by a Primary School. Regrettably, this role is not suitable for ECT’s.
Key Documents
Application Process
Applicants will need to submit:
- The written application form
- A supporting statement from their Headteacher confirming their commitment to release them for the role within the application form
Applications should be sent to: Chloe.Bullen@northyorks.gov.uk
Please note CVs will not be accepted.
Round 2 – School Visit
Following longlisting on the 26th March, round two of the process will involve a school visit. On this visit, we will spend time in the Early Years environment observing interactions and meet with the Headteacher and applicant. These visits will be no longer than one hour.
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.
Early Language and Literacy Specialist
Posted: 12/03/2026
Closing date: 23/03/2026
Closing time: 23:59