Head of English

Are you an inspiring leader ready to ignite a passion for literature and language in young minds?

Can you model outstanding teaching and empower an ambitious team of educators to thrive?

Are you ready to lead a vital core subject in a vibrant, modern, and forward-thinking academy?

About the Role

The Head of English is a crucial middle-leadership position responsible for setting the vision, direction, and standards for the English curriculum across Key Stages 3 and 4. Operating in the third person, the successful candidate will provide strategic leadership, line-manage departmental staff, oversee student assessment and progress, and ensure high-quality teaching and learning in every classroom. The role demands a passionate subject expert who can raise achievement, cultivate a whole-school culture of reading, and design an engaging, inclusive curriculum tailored to diverse student needs.

About the School

Situated in Bradford, the school is an inclusive, vibrant secondary academy dedicated to serving its local community. Housed in a modern facility with excellent digital learning resources, the academy offers a highly collaborative staff environment, extensive professional development (CPD) opportunities, and a firm commitment to breaking down barriers to learning so every young person can achieve their potential.

Key Requirements

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS): Holds QTS, QTLS, or an equivalent recognised UK teaching qualification.
• Enhanced DBS: A valid Enhanced DBS clearance registered on the Update Service (or a willingness to apply for one).
• Leadership Experience: Proven track record as a Head of Department, Second in Department, or Key Stage Coordinator in a secondary setting.
• Eligibility to Work: Valid legal entitlement to work full-time in the UK.

Essential Skills

• Strategic Vision: Ability to conceptualise, communicate, and execute long-term subject improvement plans.
• Pedagogical Mastery: Exceptional, proven classroom practice demonstrating deep command of English pedagogy.
• Team Leadership: Strong interpersonal skills to motivate, support, and hold colleagues accountable.
• Data Literacy: Capability to interpret complex performance metrics and translate them into actionable intervention strategies.
• Curriculum Mapping: Proficiency in designing structured schemes of learning that build key skills cumulatively.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for dealing with students, parents, and senior leaders.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Define and implement a clear, ambitious vision for the English department that aligns with whole-school improvement priorities.
• Curriculum Design: Oversee the planning and delivery of a rich, broad, and progressive English Language and Literature curriculum at KS3 and KS4.
• Teaching & Learning Quality: Monitor classroom standards through lesson observations, learning walks, and book looks, providing constructive coaching and feedback.
• Staff Management: Direct, support, and line-manage members of the English faculty, nurturing their professional growth and managing performance.
• Data & Student Progress: Track, analyse, and evaluate student performance data to design timely, targeted interventions for individuals and pupil cohorts.
• Whole-School Literacy: Drive initiatives across the academy to enhance reading, writing, and oracy standards in all subject areas.
• Resource & Budget Control: Efficiently manage departmental budgets, digital tools, teaching materials, and literary resources.
• Exam Preparation: Coordinate external assessment entries, internal moderation, and exam board compliance for GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature.
• Inclusion & Support: Collaborate closely with the SEND and pastoral teams to adapt learning pathways for disadvantaged and high-needs students.
• Parent & Community Engagement: Communicate student progress effectively with parents and carers to build strong partnerships supporting student success.

What We Offer:

• A supportive, collaborative working environment.
• Opportunities for career progression and ongoing professional development.
• The chance to make a significant impact on the lives of students.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• A Refer a Friend scheme where you could earn a £300 Love2shop voucher (subject to terms and conditions).

Could this be the ideal role for you?

For more information, please contact or call to speak to the secondary team.

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