Learning Manager / The Link Academy

Are you a dedicated professional with a passion for learner wellbeing and achievement? The Link Academy are seeking a Learning Manager to support and guide our learners both academically and personally. You will work closely with teaching staff, parents, and external agencies to ensure learners stay engaged, make progress, and overcome barriers to learning.

This is a key pastoral role requiring strong communication, organisation, and empathy. If you are committed to creating a positive, inclusive school environment where every learner can thrive, we want you on our team. Join us and help shape confident, resilient young people. Apply today!

The Link Academy is in Netherton, Dudley, and draws pupils from across central and eastern Dudley as well as neighbouring Sandwell. There are currently some 1,000 learners on roll and the academy recruits at capacity. The principal, Emma Edwards-Morgan, is an ex-pupil of the school and shares the Trust's determination to restore the reputation for excellence that it once held. The grades that learners achieve at GCSE have improved for four successive years, with a rise in the proportion of learners achieving Grade 5 or higher in both English and Mathematics from 23% to 41%. The progress that learners make while they are at school is now well above national average. An Ofsted report in 2022 raised The Link Academy by two grades to be 'Good' across the board, a result only achieved by twelve other schools in the previous ten years. The Trust recognises that our staff are our most value asset and investing in our people is a key strategic priority. An extensive program of staff development is operated within school and across the Trust, and this is extended to senior and middle leaders, aspiring leaders, and teaching and associate staff. You will be joining The Link Academy at an exciting time as we continue our journey to provide first class education for the young people of Dudley Closing date is Monday 29th 2026 - we reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the date advertised. All successful applicants will need to undertake an enhanced disclosure and barring service check and children and adults barred list checks, where the applicant will be employed in a regulated activity. Dudley Academies Trust is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds, including disabled, and black and ethnic minority applicants, Dudley Academies Trust was formed in September 2017, uniting four secondary schools under the sponsorship of Dudley College of Technology, which is one of the UK's leading FE colleges and rated 'Excellent' by Ofsted. The schools are: Beacon Hill Academy, Pegasus Academy, St James Academy and The Link Academy. The Trust, when combined with the sponsor, annually supports 8,500 young people aged 11 to 19 years old and employs almost 1,300 staff. The Trust has a strong emphasis on providing the very best educational experience for pupils so they can experience both academic and personal success. It has a strong central team that works across the schools to ensure that our aspirations for them are put into practice. We believe that our investment in people, technology and our estate makes the Trust an attractive employer for anyone who wishes to work in a progressive, environment where achievement is valued. Our Chief Executive, Jo Higgins, joined us after a career in school leadership in South Yorkshire, where she led Penistone Grammar School for ten years. She also contributed to the borough wide school improvement system in Barnsley and she led the application process for a cross phase MAT of eleven schools. As a school leader, Jo is motivated by the conviction that all young people should be able to access outstanding provision, irrespective of their starting point in life. As part of her previous work she has driven rapid school improvement, and brings this experience to help strengthen each school's performance. The vision for Dudley Academies Trust is that our family of schools will be the first choice for young people and parents in north and central Dudley. We will achieve this through:

• innovative teaching and learning supported by a team of expert practitioners who work across our schools
• access to the latest available learning technologies
• a relentless focus on aspiration
• a rich, broad and varied curriculum, meeting the needs of learners of all abilities
• providing clear pathways to educational advancement and employment
• instilling positive values in our learners through a system of Values Driven Expectations that rewards achievement and good behaviour
• developing a culture in which our staff can contribute, develop and thrive.