Head of English New

Head of English / Curriculum Leader for English (Full Time)

Southampton, Hampshire

Start Date: September 2026
Contract: Permanent

Teaching Personnel are working in partnership with a secondary school in the Southampton area to recruit an ambitious and inspirational Head of English to lead a successful and evolving department.

This is a pivotal leadership opportunity for an experienced practitioner who is passionate about English education and ready to drive rapid improvement in curriculum, teaching, and student outcomes. The role offers the chance to play a central part in shaping a positive school culture built on high expectations, strong relationships, and student success.

The successful candidate will lead the strategic direction of English across Key Stages 3 and 4, delivering a knowledge-rich and well-sequenced curriculum while ensuring that high-quality teaching is consistently embedded across the department.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the English department, driving improvements in outcomes and teaching quality
• Lead on curriculum design, assessment, and delivery across KS3 and KS4
• Monitor and evaluate student progress, ensuring all learners achieve their full potential
• Champion literacy across the school, promoting reading, writing, and oracy as key drivers of success
• Develop and support colleagues through coaching, mentoring, and high-quality CPD
• Model excellent classroom practice and maintain consistently high standards
• Contribute to whole-school improvement and wider leadership initiatives

About You

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with strong subject expertise in English
• Proven track record of successful teaching and improving student outcomes
• Experience in leading or supporting curriculum and departmental development
• Ability to inspire, lead, and develop a team of teachers
• A commitment to high expectations, inclusion, and student achievement
• Passionate about literacy and its impact on life chances

What’s on Offer

• A key leadership role with real influence on whole-school improvement
• Opportunities for further leadership development, including whole-school literacy leadership
• A collaborative and supportive team environment
• Access to high-quality professional development and trust-wide support networks
• Dedicated time for team collaboration, including structured co-planning and CPD
• The chance to make a transformational difference to students’ outcomes and futures

This role would suit an experienced English teacher or current middle leader looking to step into a senior departmental leadership position within a supportive and ambitious setting.

If you are a driven and committed leader ready to shape the future of English education, Teaching Personnel would love to hear from you.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ’s on the Teaching Personnel website for details.
All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.
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