Rare Head of English

Are you an ambitious and inspirational Head of English seeking a leadership opportunity at an Ofsted ‘Good’ school in Portsmouth?

This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate and experienced Head of English to lead and develop a successful English department within a high-achieving secondary school in Portsmouth, starting in February or April 2026.

• Role: Head of English
• Start Date:
  
  February / April 2026
• Type:
  Full-time, Permanent
• Location:
  
  Portsmouth, Hampshire
• Key Stages: KS3–KS4, with potential for A-Level
• Salary:
  Competitive, paid to scale (MPS/UPS) + TLR

We are seeking a dynamic and committed Head of English to provide strategic leadership for the department, ensure high-quality teaching and learning, and inspire a love of language and literature across the school. The successful candidate will combine strong subject expertise with the ability to motivate both students and staff to achieve outstanding outcomes.

This Ofsted ‘Good’ school in Portsmouth places a strong emphasis on staff development, wellbeing, and collaboration. Leaders invest heavily in professional growth and encourage innovation, creating an environment where teachers and middle leaders can thrive. The school’s strong academic performance is underpinned by a dedicated and supportive staff body.

• Lead and manage the English department, driving excellence in teaching, learning, and outcomes.
• Develop and implement an ambitious and coherent English curriculum across KS3–KS4 (and KS5 where applicable).
• Support, mentor, and inspire English teachers to deliver outstanding lessons.
• Monitor student progress, assessment, and attainment to inform improvement strategies.
• Promote reading, writing, and literacy across the wider school community.
• Contribute to whole-school initiatives and the broader leadership of the school.

• A supportive and collaborative senior leadership team.
• Excellent professional development and career progression opportunities.
• Enthusiastic and motivated students with a strong commitment to learning.
• Competitive salary with TLR and a comprehensive benefits package.

• A degree in English or a related subject.
• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or PGCE.
• Proven experience teaching English at secondary level.
• Demonstrable leadership experience or readiness to step into a middle leadership role.
• A passion for English and a commitment to raising standards and outcomes.

If you are an inspiring English specialist ready to take the next step in your leadership journey, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please submit your CV outlining your experience and suitability for the role as soon as possible.

We look forward to receiving your application.