Head Of Department – English

Engage Education; Bradford; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

AWR-aligned pay scale

Free CPD sessions

Dedicated consultant

£50 Amazon voucher

Wellbeing support

Travel discounts and retail offers

Job summary

Engage Education is seeking a proactive Head of English for a welcoming Bradford secondary school. This full-time, temp-to-perm position is ideal for an experienced English teacher ready to lead the department and drive standards.

You will oversee the English department, develop a strong curriculum, support staff, and contribute to whole-school improvement. A QTS and leadership capability are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• QTS or equivalent recognised teaching qualification.
• Strong experience teaching English at KS3 and KS4.
• Excellent subject knowledge across English Language and Literature.
• Experience of, or a strong desire to progress into, departmental leadership.
• Track record of delivering high-quality teaching and secure progress.
• Ability to lead, motivate and support colleagues effectively.
• Experience developing or reviewing schemes of work and curriculum planning.
• Strong understanding of assessment, progress tracking and targeted intervention.
• Excellent classroom management and high expectations of behaviour.
• Passion for English and ability to inspire diverse learners.
• Strong communication, organisation and interpersonal skills.
• Reflective and proactive professional development mindset.
• Resilience, enthusiasm and creativity for a busy secondary school.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the English department with clear direction and high expectations.
• Teach English across KS3 and KS4, including GCSE English Language and Literature.
• Develop and review an ambitious English curriculum.
• Create and embed high-quality schemes of work and resources.
• Monitor teaching, learning and student progress across the department.
• Use assessment data to identify gaps and implement interventions.
• Support colleagues to develop practice and improve outcomes.
• Chair departmental meetings and contribute to school-wide priorities.
• Mentor less experienced staff and share best practice.
• Maintain high expectations of behaviour, achievement and engagement.
• Contribute to school life and development.

Skills

Leadership

English expertise

Curriculum development

Mentoring

Assessment data

Education

QTS or equivalent

Job description

Head of English – Full-Time Temp-to-Perm

Start Date: January
Full-Time | Temp-to-Perm | Secondary

At Engage Education, we’re recruiting for an exciting opportunity to join a welcoming, ambitious and supportive secondary school as Head of English. This role would be ideal for an experienced English teacher ready to take the next step into departmental leadership, or an existing Head of English looking for a new challenge.

The successful candidate will be passionate about English, committed to raising standards and able to inspire both students and staff to achieve their full potential.

About the Role

As Head of English, you will take responsibility for the leadership and development of the English department, ensuring that students receive a high-quality, engaging and ambitious curriculum.

The school places a strong emphasis on high expectations, positive relationships and student wellbeing, creating an environment where students are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning and develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to succeed.

You will be joining a committed staffing team and will play a key role in driving continued improvement across the English department.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and managing the English department, providing clear direction and high expectations
• Teaching English across KS3 and KS4, with the ability to teach GCSE English Language and Literature
• Developing and reviewing an ambitious, well-sequenced English curriculum
• Creating and embedding effective schemes of work and high-quality teaching resources
• Monitoring teaching, learning and student progress across the department
• Using assessment data to identify gaps in learning and implement effective intervention strategies
• Supporting colleagues to develop their teaching practice and improve student outcomes
• Leading departmental meetings and contributing to whole-school improvement prioritiesSharing best practice and developing a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement
• Supporting and mentoring less experienced members of the department
• Ensuring consistently high expectations of behaviour, achievement and student engagement
• Contributing to the wider life and development of the school

About You

We are looking for an enthusiastic and ambitious English teacher who is ready to make a significant contribution to the school.

You will ideally have:

• QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) or an equivalent recognised teaching qualification
• Strong experience teaching English at KS3 and KS4
• Excellent subject knowledge across English Language and Literature
• Experience of, or a strong desire to progress into, departmental leadership
• A demonstrable track record of delivering high-quality teaching and securing strong student progress
• The ability to lead, motivate and support colleagues effectively
• Experience developing or reviewing schemes of work and curriculum planning
• Strong understanding of assessment, progress tracking and targeted intervention
• Excellent classroom management skills and high expectations of student behaviour
• A passion for English and the ability to inspire students of different ages and abilities
• Strong communication, organisation and interpersonal skills
• A reflective and proactive approach to professional development
• The resilience, enthusiasm and creativity required to thrive in a busy secondary school environment

Most importantly, you will be someone who leads by example, builds positive relationships with staff and students, and is committed to creating an English department where everyone is encouraged to achieve their best.

About the School

The school is a diverse and inclusive secondary school with high aspirations for its students. It is committed to providing a broad and balanced education while developing young people who are confident, respectful and prepared for their future.

Staff benefit from a supportive and collaborative environment, where professional development and staff wellbeing are valued. The school has a strong focus on positive relationships and creating a culture where students feel supported while being held to high academic and behavioural expectations.

As Head of English, you will have the opportunity to make a real impact on the direction and success of the department, working alongside a dedicated leadership and teaching team.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious English teacher to take the next step in their career, with the role offered on a full-time temp-to-perm basis, providing the potential for a permanent position within the school.

About Us

We are Engage Education, the most trusted education recruitment agency, with professional development and support at our core.

• Get paid in line with national scales (AWR compliant)
• Free CPD sessions
• Your own dedicated consultant
• Receive a £50 Amazon voucher when you refer friends!
• Wellbeing support, travel discounts and retail offers from our partners