Head of GCSE English and Maths (Barnstaple)

Exeter College; Barnstaple; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday entitlement

Excellent pension scheme

Professional development

Beautiful location near beaches

£5k retention payment

Job summary

Exeter College in Barnstaple is seeking an inspiring Head of GCSE English and Maths to provide strategic leadership, raise standards and secure ambitious outcomes across the college.

You will lead curriculum development, drive data-led improvements, support recruitment and CPD, and work with senior teams to ensure delivery meets national benchmarks. This post offers a generous pension and opportunities for professional growth near beautiful beaches.

Qualifications

• An experienced English or maths teacher.
• A proven curriculum leader with experience managing and developing teams.
• Someone who’s successfully improved learner outcomes, particularly GCSE or resit provision.
• Confident using performance data to drive improvement.
• A strong communicator who can build positive relationships across the organisation.
• Someone who’s confident and resilient at leading change.
• A passion for education and aligned with our values of Ambition, Collaboration and Energy.

Responsibilities

• Leading English and maths strategy across the college, with GCSEs at the core.
• Championing high aspirations for all learners and driving strong progress and achievement.
• Managing and inspiring the English and maths curriculum team.
• Ensuring consistently high standards of teaching, learning and assessment.
• Using data intelligently to improve attendance, engagement and outcomes.
• Working closely with Heads of Faculty to coordinate delivery across departments.
• Ensuring provision meets and exceeds national performance benchmarks.
• Leading quality assurance, standardisation and assessment compliance.
• Supporting recruitment, CPD and performance development within the team.
• Staying ahead of national developments in English and maths education.
• Teaching agreed hours in your specialist subject area.
• Playing an active role in the wider leadership and life of the college.

Skills

Curriculum leadership

Data-driven improvement

Strong communicator

Change management

Education

Degree (or equivalent) + teaching qualification

Job description

Head of GCSE English and Maths (Barnstaple)

Hours

Contract Type

Contract Type Permanent

Location

Location Barnstaple

Closing Date

Closing Date 31/10/2026

Job Description and Person Specification

We’re looking for an inspiring Head of GCSE English and Maths to provide strategic leadership across the college, championing high expectations, strong teaching and ambitious outcomes. You’ll keep these subjects high‑profile, well‑planned and brilliantly delivered— ensuring learners gain qualifications that open doors. Join a rapidly growing college that values people, insists on high standards and takes pride in doing things well.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading English and maths strategy across the college, with GCSEs at the core
• Championing high aspirations for all learners and driving strong progress and achievement
• Managing and inspiring the English and maths curriculum team
• Ensuring consistently high standards of teaching, learning and assessment
• Using data intelligently to improve attendance, engagement and outcomes
• Working closely with Heads of Faculty to coordinate delivery across departments
• Ensuring provision meets and exceeds national performance benchmarks
• Leading quality assurance, standardisation and assessment compliance
• Supporting recruitment, CPD and performance development within the team
• Staying ahead of national developments in English and maths education
• Teaching agreed hours in your specialist subject area
• Playing an active role in the wider leadership and life of the college

Who we’re looking for

• An experienced English or maths teacher
• A proven curriculum leader with experience managing and developing teams
• Someone who has successfully improved learner outcomes, particularly GCSE or resit provision
• Confident using performance data to drive improvement
• A strong communicator who can build positive relationships across the organisation
• Someone who’s confident and resilient at leading change
• A passion for education and aligned with our values of Ambition, Collaboration and Energy
• A degree (or equivalent) plus a recognised teaching qualification

What's in it for you:

• Generous holiday entitlement
• Superb pension scheme adding an extra 28% of salary into your pension
• Loads of amazing benefits
• A genuine commitment to your professional development
• Live and work within minutes of beautiful beaches and picturesque moors
• The chance to change lives
• £5k retention payment payable after 12 months' service (must be employed at the time of payment)