Head of English Department

GSL Education - Chelmsford; Braintree; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A secondary school in Braintree is seeking a passionate Head of English to lead a dynamic department. The role involves curriculum oversight, staff mentorship, and fostering student achievement, starting in September 2025. The ideal candidate will have QTS, strong experience in teaching English, and proven leadership abilities.

Benefits

Competitive pay rates

Support for professional development

Collaborative work environment

Opportunities for advancement

Making a meaningful impact on students

Qualifications

• Experience teaching English at KS3, KS4, and ideally KS5.
• Prior leadership or departmental responsibility preferred.
• Commitment to student progress and inclusive practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the English department.
• Oversee curriculum planning and assessment.
• Support and mentor colleagues.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational Skills

Innovative Teaching

Education

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Strong academic background in English

Job description

Head of English Department Lead, Inspire, Achieve

Are you an experienced and passionate English teacher ready to take the next step in your career? Do you have the vision, leadership skills, and subject expertise to lead a high-performing department? We are seeking an ambitious and dedicated Head of English to join our secondary school and drive excellence in teaching and learning.

Position: Head of English
Location: Braintree
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
Start Date: September 2025
Salary: £40,000 £60,000 yearly (depending on experience)

About the Role:
As Head of English, you will lead a committed team of teachers in delivering an engaging and ambitious English curriculum across all key stages. You will be responsible for raising attainment, developing innovative teaching practices, and ensuring every student achieves their full potential.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, manage, and develop the English department
• Oversee curriculum planning, assessment, and delivery
• Support and mentor colleagues to ensure high-quality teaching and learning
• Use data effectively to monitor progress and raise achievement
• Foster a culture of high expectations, creativity, and collaboration
• Contribute to whole-school improvement and strategic planning

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a strong academic background in English
• Proven experience teaching English at KS3, KS4 (and ideally KS5)
• Previous leadership or departmental responsibility (e.g. 2i/c, Lead Practitioner)
• A clear vision for English education and the ability to inspire others
• Excellent communication, organisational, and leadership skills
• A commitment to student progress and inclusive teaching practices

What We Offer:

- Competitive pay rates

- Here at GSL we support your professional development.

- A supportive and collaborative work environment

- Opportunities for continuous professional development and advancement

- An opportunity to make a meaningful impact on young lives.

Please be advised that this role requires a strong knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection and that successful applicants must satisfy all background safer recruitment checks including an enhanced DBS on the update service.

If you are interested in this role, please click 'apply now' to submit your full and up-to-date CV, and one of our dedicated consultants will be in touch within 24 hours.

We look forward to hearing from you!