Assistant Headteacher English or Head of English

Isca Academy; Exeter; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Isca Academy in Exeter seeks a dynamic English leader to drive teaching excellence across key stages. The post involves leading the English department, shaping curriculum, assessment and literacy initiatives, and contributing to school-wide priorities.

The role requires strong leadership, QTS in English, and substantial experience at secondary level, with responsibilities balancing teaching, leadership, and strategic planning.

Qualifications

• Strong classroom practice in English with expertise in curriculum planning, pedagogy, and assessment in secondary education.
• Proven leadership and management skills, guiding teams and contributing to whole-school initiatives.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships with learners, colleagues, and families.
• Commitment to inclusive education, safeguarding, and promoting wellbeing and progress of all learners.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-quality teaching and learning in English across key stages and oversee curriculum design, assessment strategies and literacy initiatives.
• Coach and support colleagues; monitor student progress and attainment; use data to inform interventions and improvement plans.
• Contribute to strategic school development; participate in senior and middle leadership meetings; manage department resources and budgets.
• Maintain strong communication with families, carers, and external partners to support student success.

Skills

Curriculum planning

Pedagogy

Assessment in secondary education

Data-informed leadership

Education

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and secondary English teaching experience

Job description

Role Description

This full-time on-site role, based at Isca Academy in Exeter, combines leadership of the English department with wider whole-school responsibilities, depending on appointment as Assistant Headteacher English or Head of English. The role involves leading high-quality teaching and learning in English, including planning, delivering, and evaluating engaging lessons across key stages. The postholder will oversee curriculum design, assessment strategies, and literacy initiatives, ensuring they align with school priorities and national standards. Daily responsibilities include coaching and supporting colleagues, monitoring student progress and attainment, and using data to inform interventions and improvement plans. The role also includes contributing to strategic school development, participating in senior and middle leadership meetings, managing resources and budgets for the department, and maintaining strong communication with families, carers, and external partners to support student success.

Qualifications

• Strong classroom practice in English, including expertise in curriculum planning, pedagogy, and assessment in secondary education.
• Proven leadership and management skills, with experience in guiding teams, driving improvement, and contributing to whole-school initiatives.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with learners, colleagues, and families.
• Commitment to inclusive education, safeguarding, and promoting the wellbeing and progress of all learners.
• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and substantial experience teaching English at secondary level; experience in departmental or senior leadership is highly beneficial.
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities, with capacity to balance teaching, leadership, and administrative responsibilities.
• Confidence in using data and digital tools to support teaching, monitoring, reporting, and strategic planning.
• Engagement in ongoing professional development and openness to evidence-informed practice and innovation in English teaching.