Head of English
About This Role
Head of English
The Role
We are seeking to hire a qualified and experienced professional to fill the middle leadership position of Head of English. This role involves leading and developing the English curriculum across the secondary school. The Head of English will manage a team of six staff members within the English Department, guiding their efforts, overseeing the curriculum, managing reporting and examination results, and fostering effective teaching and learning practices. This position reports directly to the Deputy Head Academic and the Head, working closely with Key Stage Coordinators and other Department Heads.
Person Specification
The successful candidate will ideally possess many or all of the following attributes:
- Personal integrity, intellectual flexibility, and emotional intelligence
- A commitment to teamwork, adaptability, and a collaborative approach, with the ability to forge strong relationships throughout the school community
- A sense of humor and perspective, along with the ability to manage oneself effectively, especially under pressure
- Strong attention to detail paired with a broad outlook
- Skills in analyzing and presenting educational data
- A genuine passion for improving Teaching and Learning
- A relevant degree of good standing
- Demonstrated teaching experience
- The capacity to earn trust and respect from colleagues, students, and stakeholders
- High levels of administrative efficiency and strong communication skills
- An interest in the School's co-curricular activities
Roles and Responsibilities of the Head of English
This job description highlights the main responsibilities but is not exhaustive and may evolve over time.
Strategic and General Management
- To contribute to the vision for Teaching and Learning within the School, aiding in its development, communication, and implementation
- To oversee the creation of engaging and challenging schemes of work from Key Stage 3 through GCSE and A-Level
- To organize trips, academic societies, and events that promote English, including support for university applications
- To manage risk assessments and safeguarding within the department
- To supervise the progress and inventory of the English section of the library
- To assist in the daily management of the school
- To actively participate in school events as required
- To teach approximately two-thirds of a standard timetable
Academic Policy and Management
- To lead the development of academic policy within the Department
- To manage and improve the English curriculum, evaluating its implementation and outcomes
- To collaborate with the Head regarding staffing within the English Department
- To oversee the administration of option selections
- To guide the Department’s Development Planning cycle
- To take the lead on Academic Data, including Assessment and Reporting
- To refine the academic budgeting process within the department, ensuring efficient resource use, including IT
- To compile predicted grades and perform exam analysis
- To utilize data to inform practices, expectations, targets, and teaching methodologies
- To monitor curriculum coverage, continuity, and progression for all students, including those of high ability and those with special educational or linguistic needs.
Leading Staff
- To assist in the recruitment of new staff
- To provide guidance on the deployment of teaching staff members
- To offer support and advice to English Department colleagues and engage in their appraisal
- To lead subject meetings, organizing agendas and drafting minutes, ensuring all documentation is effectively distributed and stored in the department’s area on the school system
- To drive and support ongoing improvements in teaching and learning standards within the department
- To provide guidance and support to English staff and lead the Department Review
- To collaborate with and advise Learning Support
- To coordinate efforts with the Careers Advisor
- To ensure that the classroom environment is conducive to effective learning.
Apply via the WhatSchool platform.