The Church of England Academy
John Wallis
WELCOME
Welcome to The John Wallis Church of England Academy.
Thank you for taking the time to find out more about our school.
We are a happy, welcoming academy and we pride ourselves on the relationships our staff have with our pupils.
We ensure that all our pupils are committed to learning and develop the character necessary to take advantage of all the opportunities we provide. Our collective ambition is exceptionally high. In the past three years, over 120 students have been the first in their family to go to university or higher education.
Our commitment to our pupils’ wellbeing has also been widely reported in the House of Commons, House of Lords and in the national press, including The Times, The Spectator, BBC Newsnight and ITV Tonight. We have been awarded a Global Inclusion Award from the
The Academy has always been a very special place to work… I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else.
Ellie, Subject Leader
WELCOME
International Forums of Inclusion Practitioners (IFIP) and been invited to UNESCO to continue our leadership in the global campaign to put the mental health of young people first.
At The John Wallis Church of England Academy, we believe in attracting the best staff to deliver our vision. It is the staff, after all, who will make the biggest impact on young people’s lives. In return, we promise to invest in you, support you, and develop you so that you can flourish professionally, personally and spiritually.
Damian McBeath, Principal
JOIN A SCHOOL THAT INVESTS IN YOU
Jesus wants all people to have life and have it abundantly. JOHN 10:10 ESV
Together we ignite in everyone the knowledge, aspiration, and spirit to shape lives full of purpose and opportunity.
OUR TEACHERS RECEIVE NON-CONTACT TIME EXTRA 10%
TEACHER SATISFACTION X2 HIGHER THAN OTHER SCHOOLS
25% DISCOUNTED FEES AT OUR OUTSTANDING NURSERY ALL STAFF RECEIVE
At The John Wallis Church of England Academy, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all staff, pupils and families feel valued, respected, and supported. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, abilities, and experiences, and we actively encourage candidates who will contribute to the richness of our school community.
I feel proud and incredibly lucky to be part of such a supportive and dedicated team.
Jemma, Head of Subject
ACADEMY VALUES
We are proud to be a Church of England Academy. We serve children of all faiths and those with none.
LOVE
A compassionate and nurturing devotion, reflecting God’s boundless grace. In our Academy, love means knowing you belong, you are cared for, and you matter.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:11
INTEGRITY
Living truthfully and doing what is right, even when it is difficult. Integrity is being honest, fair, and respectful in all actions.
When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
John 10:4
GENEROSITY
Giving freely whether time, kindness, or support just as Jesus offers abundant life. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
John 10:10
HOPE
Trusting in God’s promises and believing in the future. Hope inspires ambition, resilience, and purpose. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
John 10:28
TOGETHERNESS
Standing united as a strong community, where everyone belongs, supports one another, and thrives. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
John 10:16
FAMILY FRIENDLY BENEFITS
Our support for working families includes a 25% staff discount on fees at our on-site
The John Wallis Nursery provision, which was rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
We also offer free childcare for primary-aged children before and after school through our wrap-around club offer to make life easier for our dedicated staff.
We are proud that many members of staff choose to stay at the Academy for many years, and celebrate this with our long service awards for 5, 10 and 25 years. These are awarded at our end of term staff gatherings and are a fantastic opportunity to recognise and reward our dedicated colleagues.
I am very fortunate to work in such a supportive school.
Ed, Cover Teacher
HEALTH & WELLBEING
At The John Wallis Academy, we prioritise the health and wellbeing of all our staff.
Our free Employee Assistance Programme includes 24/7 access to GP services as well as confidential support from a team of registered nurses and mental health clinicians. Our Academy Gym is also free of charge for staff (plus a partner or family member) to use during designated times before and after each school day. We also provide free flu vaccinations on site annually for all staff.
Amazing culture. Incredible expertise in-house.
Emily, Academy Teacher
Our teacher training programme offers a comprehensive and supportive pathway for aspiring educators to achieve their qualifications and thrive in the classroom.
Through strategic partnerships with Teach First and Canterbury Christ Church University, we provide trainees with access to highquality training, academic resources, and expert mentorship.
TRAIN
We are proud to collaborate with the Kent Teaching School Hub, which rigorously assesses our Early Career Teachers (ECTs) against the Early Career Framework (ECF). This ensures our teachers receive continuous professional development and maintain exemplary teaching standards. Additionally, we host weekly in-house training sessions for Initial Teacher Training (ITT) participants and ECTs, focusing on practical classroom strategies, subject knowledge enhancement, and reflective practice.
Each trainee is carefully matched with an experienced mentor who offers personalised guidance, constructive feedback, and ongoing support. This mentoring relationship fosters a nurturing learning environment where trainees can confidently develop their teaching skills and grow as professionals.
TRAIN TO TEACH
Routes into Teaching
We recognise that aspiring teachers come from diverse backgrounds, and we facilitate multiple pathways to accommodate their needs:
Teach First: A two-year, school-based programme that offers a salaried route to teaching while completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE).
PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education): A university-led qualification combining academic study with practical teaching experience.
Teacher Apprenticeship: A paid, employment-based route offering on-thejob training leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Assessment Only: Designed for experienced professionals seeking QTS through an assessment of their existing teaching practice.
Our commitment is to empower the next generation of educators through robust training, ensuring they are well-equipped to inspire and lead in their classrooms.
A career in teaching at The John Wallis Church of England Academy is not the stereotypical neverending cycle of plan, teach, mark, repeat. Every day is different and you really do make a difference!.
Sam, Deputy Head of School
TEACHING PRIMARY
Within the Lower School we aim to instil a passion for learning. Our youngest children bounce into the School with enthusiasm, curiosity and thirst for knowledge.
THREE SCHOOL MODEL
We are one Academy, made up of three Schools. The smaller Schools ensure that every pupil is known by all staff within their school, and offers a model which provides support and continuity across all of the key transitions. Most staff will work within our mini-school structure of Lower, Middle and Upper Schools, guided by a supportive extended Senior Leadership Team and Faculty Directors overseeing Heads of Subjects.
LOWER SCHOOL:
Nursery to Year 4
MIDDLE SCHOOL:
Year 5 to Year 9
UPPER SCHOOL:
Year 10 to Year 13
The Lower School is designed to ensure that our youngest pupils get off to an excellent start in life. We are committed to enabling all children to read early and develop the confidence and characteristics that will help them overcome any challenges that come their way. Alongside reading, we focus on language and vocabulary development from an early age. Physical development and movement are vital skills the children will learn from the very beginning of their education. The foundations for their ongoing learning in all areas are developed in the Lower School.
Excellence is a journey, not a destination and I am delighted to be on this journey with our Lower School pupils having lots of fun on the way!
Kelly McBeath, Vice Principal: Head of Lower School and Director of Inclusion
TEACHING SECONDARY
In the Middle School, pupils complete their primary education and then make the crucial transition to the secondary phase of their education.
They study a broad and balanced curriculum, focusing on the core of English, maths and science while also promoting a love of the arts, humanities, vocational education and PE.
In the Upper School, we ensure every pupil is prepared for a lifelong journey filled with happiness and accomplishment. The Upper School is a critical phase for our pupils. They not only complete their GCSEs and A-Levels, but they develop the skills and habits that scaffold their future success.
We foster a commitment to rigour, diligence, and life-long learning so that our pupils are set up for success at University and in their chosen career.
The Upper School is about belief. It is about discovering your passion, your dream, and doing everything you can to chase it. To be able to make a difference.
Thomas Harding, Vice Principal: Head of Upper School
The Middle School is the beating heart of the Academy. We pride ourselves on how our pupils love learning, develop a sense of responsibility, and make excellent progress.
Steve Davies, Senior Vice Principal: Head of Middle School
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
We provide a full and comprehensive training program for all staff, tailored to your ambitions, skills, and drives.
Regardless of your level of experience, we are committed to nurturing your professional growth and to providing opportunities for career progression.
As an all-through Academy, we provide ambitious educators and support staff with the opportunity to understand and support the curriculum from ages 0 to 19. Our partnership with Benenden School also opens doors to their expertise and facilities, allowing all staff to expand their knowledge and network.
I’m amazed at how much I have enjoyed the training days. I feel my support of SEN students has been enhanced and new updated strategies will have a positive impact on my students. I realise I am still forever learning.
Sue, Academy Teaching Assistant
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Our Excellence in Teaching (EiT) Framework is an individualised approach to learning and development, empowering teachers to continuously reflect on and improve their practice. It is based on five key strands –culture for learning, subject knowledge, instruction and participation, assessing and responding, and professionalism – all mapped to the DfE Teacher Standards. Following a self-assessment, each teacher receives a personalised EiT profile, highlighting their strengths, recommending areas for growth, and creating an individual plan for reading, research and further professional learning, which feeds into our annual programme of Continuous Professional Development.
We have developed a similar framework for our support staff, ensuring that all staff have the same opportunities to progress and grow in their roles. We have many examples across the Academy where support staff have taken external courses, including apprenticeships, to develop and progress in their roles.
Adding to the energy and momentum of the EiT programme is our annual two-day conference for all staff, which combines dynamic guest speakers with over 25 different workshops and bespoke masterclasses run by our own staff experts.
