Head Teacher English - Fort Street High School

EducationHQ; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Fort Street High School in Petersham, Sydney, seeks a Head Teacher English to lead and strengthen English programs from years 7–12. The role focuses on advanced English courses, data-informed planning, and fostering high academic achievement and well-being across a diverse student body.

The successful candidate will collaborate with the executive team, drive whole-school initiatives, and ensure high-quality teaching and inclusive learning environments, consistent with NSW Department of Education

Qualifications

• Approval to teach English 7–12 with ability to teach extensions 1 & 2.
• Strong data-driven planning and literacy outcome focus for high-potential students.

Responsibilities

• Lead and design inclusive English programs across grades 7–12.
• Drive school-wide initiatives and contribute to executive leadership.

Skills

Teaching experience

Curriculum knowledge

Educational leadership

Communication skills

Resource planning

Aboriginal education policy

Education

Teacher registration/approval (NSW)

Job description

Head Teacher English - Fort Street High School

Fort Street High School is an academically selective, co-educational high school with a long history of providing education for gifted students. Located in Petersham in Sydney’s Inner West, our school has no designated intake boundary enrolling students from across Sydney and beyond based on academic selection. With an enrolment of approximately 920 students, our community is rich in cultural and linguistic diversity, with 75% of our students coming from a non-English speaking background.

At Fort Street, all senior students undertake the English Advanced course, with large numbers additionally choosing Extension 1 and Extension 2, fostering a rigorous and challenging academic environment. Our school’s mission is to prepare students not only to excel academically but also to become leaders across a wide range of career paths and active contributors to society with a strong social conscience.

About this job
Position Information
Fort Street High School is an academically selective, co-educational high school with a long history of providing education for gifted students. Located in Petersham in Sydney’s Inner West, our school has no designated intake boundary enrolling students from across Sydney and beyond based on academic selection. With an enrolment of approximately 920 students, our community is rich in cultural and linguistic diversity, with 75% of our students coming from a non-English speaking background.

At Fort Street, all senior students undertake the English Advanced course, with large numbers additionally choosing Extension 1 and Extension 2, fostering a rigorous and challenging academic environment. Our school’s mission is to prepare students not only to excel academically but also to become leaders across a wide range of career paths and active contributors to society with a strong social conscience.

General Selection Criteria

• 1. Successful teaching experience with capacity to initiate improvement in teaching, learning and classroom practice
• 2. Knowledge of curriculum, assessment and student welfare with the ability to lead and design quality, inclusive teaching and learning programs
• 3. Educational leadership skills to build the capacity and manage the performance of individuals and teams
• 4. Well developed communication and interpersonal skills with the capacity to build relationships and engage students, staff and parents
• 5. Ability to plan and manage resources effectively and equitably to support teaching and learning
• 6. Knowledge of and commitment to the Department's Aboriginal education policy

Specific Selection Criteria

Applicants must satisfy the teacher training and academic qualification requirements for this position. In addition to the general selection criteria,

• Approval to teach English 7-12 with a demonstrated ability to successfully teach English extensions 1 & 2.
• Highly developed skills in analysing and using data to identify student learning needs, lead evidence-informed planning and drive continuous improvement in English and literacy outcomes, with demonstrated ability to differentiate and extend the learning experiences of high potential and gifted students.
• Proven ability to drive whole school initiatives and successfully lead a diverse faculty, building a culture of teamwork, collaboration, trust and shared responsibility to enhance both student outcomes, including wellbeing and engagement, and staff capacity.
• Proven capacity to contribute strategically and visibly as a collaborative member of the executive team, strengthening a vibrant school culture and building positive relationships with students, staff, parents and carers and the wider community..

Conditions

An unconditional full approval to teach is a requirement. If you do not hold a full approval to teach with the NSW Department of Education, you are required to commence the application process at the same time as you apply for this teaching opportunity.

Special Notes

The Eligibility Requirements for Head Teacher Positions in NSW Government Schools are located here.

Applicants are to include details of their WWCC clearance number as part of this application.

About the NSW Department of Education

The Department of Education is the largest provider of public education in Australia with responsibility for delivering high-quality public education to two-thirds of the NSW student population. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including but not limited to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, people of any age or gender, people from culturally and linguistically diverse groups and/or from the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees, people with disability, people with sensory differences, and neurodiverse people. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better help you shine, please reach out to the contact person for this recruitment, details listed above. For more information, visit the NSW Department of Education’s Diversity, equity and inclusion webpage.