At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate the Languages curriculum from KS3 to KS5, inspiring students in French and Spanish.
- Company: Join Ark Bolingbroke Academy, a top-performing secondary school with a vibrant community.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous training days, a strong pension scheme, and access to exclusive retail savings.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to excellence and student success.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' language learning and cultural understanding in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in teaching languages and a passion for fostering multilingualism.
The predicted salary is between 42775 - 55483 £ per year.
We’re proud to share that our school has been recognised as a top-performing secondary school nationally, receiving a Top 10% badge for Employee Line Management in the Spring 2026 census with The Engagement Platform (TEP).
The Head of Languages will provide strategic and operational leadership of Languages across the academy, developing an ambitious, inclusive and academically rigorous curriculum from KS3 to KS5. The postholder will lead French and Spanish provision alongside the academy's community languages offer, ensuring that all pupils, including multilingual pupils and native speakers, are supported and challenged to achieve highly.
The postholder will lead the Languages team, develop excellent classroom practice, use assessment and performance data intelligently to improve outcomes, and build a culture in which language learning, multilingualism and cultural understanding are highly valued across the academy community.
Reports to: Assistant Principal
Start date: Easter 2027 or September 2027
Contract: Permanent
Salary: Ark Main Payscale AM1 – AM6, £42,775 - £55,483 with TLR or £62,039 – 67,275 (Ark UPS 1-5), depending on experience
Closing Date: Monday, 23rd November 2026
Benefits:
- Weekly CPD sessions and twice as many training days as standard.
- Dedicated line management meetings.
- Encouragement to staff to develop their own ideas and projects within their departments and beyond.
- Generous pension scheme.
- Access to Ark rewards – a scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers.
- Interest-free loans – up to £5,000 available for season ticket or to buy a bicycle.
- Access to Employee Assistance Programme – providing free, confidential counselling, legal advice and a range of different support.
At Ark Bolingbroke Academy, we are a courageous, compassionate community - empowering excellence. We are a value-led organisation, being bold within every aspect of our lives at school. Our talented teaching and support staff insist on high educational standards every single day, and their commitment is shown in our excellent results, with over 80% of our students achieving a top-third university or top 100 apprenticeship.
We want all staff to thrive, modelling leadership and determination to the pupils and students within our rich and diverse academy, working together to fulfil our vision of creating a centre of excellence within our local community.
Diversity and inclusion: We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective.
Safeguarding statement: Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred.
Head of Languages in London employer: ARK
Ark is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises professional development and employee well-being. With 27 days of annual leave, access to a generous pension scheme, and opportunities for continuous learning, employees are empowered to grow within their roles while making a meaningful impact in education across South London. The collaborative environment at EdCity fosters innovation and connection, making it an ideal place for those passionate about transforming the lives of children through education.
