Assistant Head - Attendance and Head of English

Nicholas Chamberlaine School is seeking an exceptional, ambitious and inspirational leader to join our Senior Leadership Team as Assistant Headteacher, with strategic responsibility for whole-school attendance alongside leadership of our English department.

This is a significant and exciting opportunity for an experienced and successful English practitioner who is ready to make an impact beyond their subject area, combining a passion for high-quality teaching and learning with a commitment to improving attendance, inclusion and outcomes for all pupils.

We are looking for a leader who understands that excellent attendance and excellent teaching go hand in hand, and who has the vision, determination and interpersonal skills to drive improvement across both areas.

The role

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will play a central role in shaping the strategic direction of the school and delivering our school improvement priorities.

Strategic Leadership of Attendance

You will:

• Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of a whole-school attendance strategy.
• Drive sustained improvements in attendance and punctuality, with a particular focus on reducing persistent and severe absence.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the attendance team, ensuring robust systems, effective intervention and clear accountability.
• Work collaboratively with pastoral leaders, Heads of Year, SEND and safeguarding teams to identify and address barriers to attendance.
• Develop effective partnerships with families, external agencies and the local authority.
• Use data intelligently to identify trends, evaluate the impact of interventions and inform strategic decision-making.
• Promote a positive culture of attendance, belonging and inclusion across the school.
• Ensure that attendance systems and practices meet statutory expectations.

Leadership of English

You will:

• Provide inspirational leadership of the English department, securing consistently high standards of teaching, learning and achievement.
• Lead the development of an ambitious, inclusive and well-sequenced English curriculum.
• Drive improvements in GCSE English Language and Literature outcomes, including achievement at grades 4+, 5+ and the highest grades.
• Development of KS3-KS5 curriculum.
• Establish high expectations for teaching, assessment, feedback and adaptive practice.
• Develop and support colleagues through effective coaching, professional development and quality assurance.
• Use assessment information to identify gaps, target intervention and improve outcomes for all pupils, particularly disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND.
• Champion a love of reading, literature and language, contributing to the school's wider literacy priorities.
• Build a positive, collaborative and ambitious departmental culture.

About you

We are seeking an exceptional leader who:

• Is an outstanding or highly effective English teacher with excellent subject knowledge.
• Has a proven track record of successful leadership and improving pupil outcomes.
• Can demonstrate the ability to lead, motivate and develop colleagues.
• Has a strong understanding of the relationship between attendance, inclusion, safeguarding and academic achievement.
• Is confident using data and evidence to inform strategic decisions and evaluate impact.
• Has excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Is resilient, solution-focused and able to balance competing priorities effectively.
• Has high expectations of pupils and staff and an unwavering commitment to educational excellence.
• Is ready to contribute fully to the strategic leadership of a large and ambitious secondary school.

Previous whole-school attendance leadership experience would be advantageous, but we particularly welcome applications from strong English leaders who can demonstrate the skills, strategic thinking and ambition required to succeed in this wider leadership role.

Why join Nicholas Chamberlaine School?

Nicholas Chamberlaine School is a vibrant and ambitious school community, committed to ensuring that every pupil receives an excellent education and has the opportunity to flourish.

As part of Griffin Schools Trust, we benefit from a shared commitment to excellence, collaboration and professional development.

You will join a dedicated Senior Leadership Team at an important stage of our improvement journey, with the opportunity to shape whole-school strategy, lead a key curriculum area and make a lasting difference to the lives of young people.

If you are an ambitious leader with a passion for English, a commitment to inclusion and the determination to make a difference across a whole school, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Nicholas Chamberlaine School and Griffin Schools Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be subject to appropriate safeguarding and pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check.