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Trainee Teacher Starting September 2025

Are you ready to take the next step in your career?
 
United Teaching is the initial teacher training scheme for United Learning, a national group of over 90 schools across England.
 
With us, you can achieve your PGCE and QTS with extensive support from professional mentors, tutors and subject specialists – in a location that suits you. At United Teaching, we don’t just train you to teach – we invest in your potential as a future educational leader, supporting you every step of the way.
 

Apply today and discover how you can make a difference.

Click here to find out more.

Principal's Welcome

Central Academy is part of United Learning.

The Academy moved into purpose built £30million premises in the centre of Carlisle and on the edge of the Lake District and Scottish Borders in 2010. As part of our team you have colleagues who are professional, supportive and are committed to each other’s professional development. We are proud that our results demonstrate the Academy to be the most improved secondary schools in Cumbria over the last year.

We would love you to become part of our improving Academy, our supportive team and to help us achieve our ambition as we work towards an Outstanding future.

Vision

There has been a marked improvement in the behaviour of students and the attitudes they display. On inspection, students were polite. The Academy is a calm, orderly place and students feel safe.”  Ofsted 2015

After a turbulent few years, Central Academy came out of Special Measures in February 2015.  With new leadership and sponsorship from United Learning in place since September 2014, the school is making rapid progress with the aim of being securely Good by the time of its next Ofsted inspection. The school’s GCSE results for 2014/15 demonstrate it to be one of the most improved secondary schools in Cumbria.

Housing a Sixth Form which is shared with its sister Morton Academy, with which it works in close partnership, Central is a thriving school where local children are able to develop the confidence to enjoy their learning and aspire to university and beyond.

Central Academy benefits from the executive leadership of a highly experienced and inspirational Executive Principal and a supportive governing body. With an ambitious Head of School in post since last summer, the team and structure is ideally placed for augmenting the progress that is already well underway and building a significant school over the coming few years which children will increasingly celebrate being part of.

There is a rapid but manageable shift in progress and improvement which is being led by a team who are committed to the school and who are supported by the resources, opportunities, training and expertise of one of the most experienced schools groups in the country.

Over the past 18 months, key strategies have been successfully implemented to improve behaviour, attendance and the quality of teaching and learning so that for the first time in its history, Central Academy has all the correct components in place to meet the needs of its children and its community.

Situated in Carlisle on the borders of the Lake District, Hadrian’s Wall and Scotland and with over 40% of students eligible for Free School Meals, Central Academy provides the excitement and challenges of inner city school life in the beauty of rural heartlands.

This is an opportune moment to become part of Central’s success. Having emerged from a turbulent past, it is now well-placed to embrace a confident and transformative future.

Benefits

Core Benefits

  • A contributory pension scheme, relevant to your role (including access to Teacher and Local Government Schemes);
  • Occupational sick pay;
  • Independent school fee reduction scheme for your children;
  • Tailored Continuous Professional Development (CPD) through the United Learning Institute.

Working at Central Academy

  • An Academy making rapid, sustained improvement;
  • Excellent facilities and resources;
  • Access to professional development programme;
  • A chance to become part of one of the largest groups of Academies in the country;
  • Caring, dedicated and friendly students who want to learn and fulfil their potential;
  • Colleagues who are supportive, friendly and who are committed to each other’s professional development;
  • Opportunities to be creative and to inspire your students.

Flexible Benefits

  • Childcare vouchers;
  • Cycle to work scheme;
  • Dining card;
  • Gym membership;
  • Health screening;
  • Retail savings.

United Learning

By joining Central Academy you will also become part of United Learning - a unique group of independent and state schools working together to bring out the ‘best in everyone’. Our vision is to provide excellent education, which prepares all young people to progress in their learning and to make a success of their lives.

United Learning focuses sharply on the evidence of what makes it more likely that young people will progress and succeed, applying that to classroom practice and allowing schools to continue to learn and develop. It is a priority to provide teachers with excellent professional support and development, so that every child receives an excellent experience. The approach is underpinned by a sense of moral purpose and commitment to doing what is right for children and young people, supporting colleagues to achieve excellence and acting with integrity in all our dealings within and beyond the organisation, in the interests of young people everywhere.

The development programmes offer access to tailor-made training no matter your career stage, alongside unrivalled opportunities for your career development across both the maintained and independent sectors. Our Performance and Development Reviews (PDR) encompass personal aspiration, impact on pupil achievement and identification of continuous professional development and training that is right for you and your future. For more information please visit our dedicated careers site.

Student testimonials

I like the school because there is no bullying and the teachers help you when you are stuck with your work.
Year 7
It's very friendly and you feel safe.
Year 7
I like the help that all of the teachers provide and I also like the respect that everyone is given.
Year 7
I like that the teachers get started straight away with teaching and treat students fairly
Year 7
I like the clubs and activities the school arranges. I also like the work they give out in lessons and they are challenging
Year 8
The thing I like about the Academy is the subjects and the work that I do every day, I really enjoy it all
Year 8
Some of the lessons are really cool, the teachers are always really helpful
Year 8
There are clubs that can help you with your work, especially if you’re starting your GCSEs
Year 9
I think Central Academy Is a good place for students to learn and make friends and the teachers are helpful
Year 9
I like the options and opportunities
Year 9
Teachers know how teenagers feel on the inside even if they don't show it
Year 9
I enjoy the activities after school
Year 10
I like how well some teachers can communicate with the students
Year 10
I have a teacher to talk to when there is a problem
Year 10
Teachers are respectful and there are a good range of teachers and I would go to them if I had any problems
Year 10
Teaching is good and the Academy building is very nice and modern
Year 10
There is a great atmosphere
Year 11
The best thing I like about the Academy is Sport
Year 11
I like how the lessons are run
Year 11
I like to socialise with my friends and my lessons
Year 11
There are kind, friendly teachers who help me with any problems
Year 11
The lesson content is challenging but it helps me achieve the best grades I can
Year 11
I like the closeness of staff and students
Year 11
I like the revision sessions
Year 11
The facilities and how useful they are
Year 11
I like the school because there is no bullying and the teachers help you when you are stuck with your work
Year 7

Staff testimonials

Staff care about each other and will support each other- not just within their own departments. The staff care deeply about the students
Having worked here for two years I have had the pleasure of experiencing the progress Central Academy has made and the huge changes which have taken place. Central Academy has gone from strength to strength with staff and students working together as a team to ensure the school moves forward
It is good to be part of a school which is improving and changes can be seen which positively affect the lives of young people
The improvements in attendance and attainment in our school is positive and has affected staff and pupil morale in a positive way. It is great that pupils no longer feel that they are part of a school in special measures and are on their journey to being a good school. Pupils may have the feeling that they are already in a good school in many ways and this will be positive for our reputation in the community
Staff care about each other and will support each other- not just within their own departments. The staff care deeply about the students
Having worked here for two years I have had the pleasure of experiencing the progress Central Academy has made and the huge changes which have taken place. Central Academy has gone from strength to strength with staff and students working together as a team to ensure the school moves forward
 

United Learning comprises: United Learning Ltd (Registered in England No: 00018582. Charity No. 313999) UCST (Registered in England No: 2780748. Charity No. 1016538) and ULT (Registered in England No. 4439859. An Exempt Charity). Companies limited by guarantee. Registered address: United Learning, Worldwide House, Thorpe Wood, Peterborough, PE3 6SB.

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