Head of English

Harris Academy Orpington; Orpington; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A dedicated educational institution in Orpington seeks an experienced Head of English to lead their English department. The role requires a qualified teacher with strong leadership skills, capable of teaching up to KS5. Responsibilities include managing staff, developing curriculum, and enhancing student attainment. The ideal candidate will have a successful track record in education and a commitment to raising standards.

Benefits

Competitive rewards and benefits

Flexible working options

Professional development pathways

Teachers Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Hold QTS or equivalent and relevant undergraduate degree.
• Demonstrate successful teaching of GCSE at good or better level.
• Experience of effective management of change.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop the English subject area.
• Raise standards of student attainment within the subject.
• Teach English across the age and ability range.

Skills

Leadership

Curriculum Development

Interpersonal Skills

Teaching up to KS5

Education

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Undergraduate Degree in relevant subject

Job description

Overview

About This Opportunity

Are you an enthusiastic and passionate English teacher looking to step into middle leadership? Could you inspire us to continue to improve and raise students' achievements, have a commitment to sharing expertise and bring the department to the next level? We are looking for a qualified, experienced English teacher to join Harris Academy Orpington as the Head of English.

This position is for a September 2025 start. The successful candidate will have QTS and strong subject knowledge teaching up to and including KS5. The successful candidate should be a dedicated and highly motivated practitioner with a proven track record of driving up standards, with excellent interpersonal skills to join our highly committed team, sharing in the school’s values, vision and ethos.

Not suitable for ECTs.

Main Areas of Responsibility

The Purpose Of Your Role Will Be

• To be accountable for leading, managing and developing the subject area.
• To raise standards of student attainment and achievement within the whole subject/curriculum area and to monitor and support student progress.
• To ensure the provision of an appropriately broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum for students studying in the department, in accordance with the aims of the academy and the curricular policies determined by the Governing Body and Principal.
• To teach the relevant subject across the age and ability range.
• To facilitate and encourage a learning experience which provides students with the opportunity to achieve their individual potential.
• To effectively manage and deploy staff, financial and physical resources within the department.
• To share and support the school’s responsibility to provide and monitor opportunities for personal and academic growth.

Your main areas of responsibility will fall under the areas of:

• Operational and strategic planning (including formulating the subject and faculty improvement plans, and leading the development of appropriate syllabuses, resources, schemes of work, marking policies, assessment and teaching strategies)
• Ensuring the delivery of an appropriate, comprehensive, high quality and cost effective curriculum and leading development of the subject and its delivery
• Staff development (including recruiting, building and managing an effective team of motivated staff)
• Student outcomes (including ensuring the effective operation of target setting, monitoring and evaluation systems and the input and maintenance of accurate student data)
• Pastoral system (including being a form tutor to a selected group of students)
• Teaching, including acting as an outstanding role model

What We Are Looking For

We would like to hear from you if you:

• Hold QTS (or equivalent) and a relevant undergraduate degree, and, ideally, management training
• Demonstrate successful teaching of GCSE at good or better level
• Have experience of initiation and effective management of change
• Show evidence of raising achievement in present post and showing good value added for groups
• Have knowledge of current curriculum developments in subject and their implications
• Have good knowledge and understanding of current educational thinking
• Show good understanding of how children learn and how to raise standards of achievement
• Have good communication skills in speech and writing
• Display excellent organisational skills
• Are able to build and sustain professional standards and relationships with students
• Are able to contribute towards creating a safe and protective environment

For a full job description and person specification, please download the Job Pack.

What We Can Offer You

Teacher Development

At Harris, we have curated professional development pathways that will guide you towards achieving your career ambitions. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. With a strong network of passionate educators, expert development initiatives and a multitude of opportunities for career progression, your journey with Harris could be the most rewarding one yet.

We offer a wide range of high quality teacher professional development programmes via the Harris Institute of Teaching and Leadership. Find out more here.

Flexible Working

We are committed to fostering a positive and supportive working environment for our staff, recognising that achieving a balance between professional and personal responsibilities is essential. We understand that each individual’s circumstances are unique, which is why we offer flexible working options that can be adapted to meet the needs of both the academy and our employees.

Benefits

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance (usually £2,000 for Inner London and £1,500 for Outer London), a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Teachers Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan, Employee Assistance Programme, and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.

Safeguarding & Equality

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.

Working With Us

At Harris Academy Orpington, we have worked hard to create an environment where we look after and care for each other. The environment here is one of care, nurture and support, along with a bit of challenge. We are a community school that serves families in and around Orpington, with ambitions to provide an outstanding education and opportunities for our students. We are a Health Science Specialist school, offering real-world qualifications, work experience and careers support to students.

We have incredible facilities and a broad, ambitious curriculum designed to nurture creativity and achievement. Our motto is “Together We Can.” We welcome interested candidates to learn more about working with us on the academy page via the “why work at” section.