At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the English department, inspiring students and delivering high-quality teaching.
- Company: A successful secondary school in Gloucester with a strong focus on pastoral care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and access to wellness resources.
- Why this job: Join a vibrant school community and make a real impact on students' learning journeys.
- Qualifications: Experience in teaching English and leadership skills required.
- Other info: Permanent role with excellent career growth opportunities and supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 62202 - 65285 £ per year.
Head of Department English Location: Gloucester Hours: Full-Time Type: Permanent (temp to perm) start date: 01/01/2026 Pay: £62,202 – £65,285 Our client is a very successful secondary school, delivering high-quality teaching & learning to students across Key Stages 3 – 5. Elementa are supporting the school to recruit an outstanding and inspiring Head of Department English. You\’ll be working at this large secondary school which has a 6th form and over 1500 pupils on roll. The Sixth Form has nearly 350 students with KS5 students taking ownership of their own learning and ultimately progressing into diverse next stages. Overall the school has a fantastic offering for all of their students, whether academically gifted, receiving Pupil Premium funding or having a special need or disability. Pastoral care has long been a key strength of this school and they pride themselves on pastoral care. There has been a great investment in Student Support Services who provide additional support for students with mental health issues and therefore there is frequent liaison with external agencies. Overall, this is a very well-run school with an excellent overall offering. Many teachers and other education professionals seek out working here as the offerings and outcomes for students are so positive. This is a great opportunity for anyone looking for a role that offers a rewarding and high-performing education environment. The English department at this school comprises a large team and offers a broad an enhaced curriculum which allows for a challenging and creative approach for curriculum delivery. A student centered approach to providing upbeat and joyfull english lessons, supported by external trips have meant a traditional high-standard of curriculum delivery over many years. This is a permanent role and a standard recruitment process will be followed; to include an observed teaching lesson, panel interview and school show around. The school may engage the successful candidate on a trial contract basis (60 paid days) however will more likely elect to offer a permanent contract from the outset. (If employed permanently) the successful candidate will also benefit from: Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (including death in service benefit) A commitment to enabling your professional development Access to staff after school clubs, including, football & running Five free Microsoft Office licences to use on personal devices at home Access to education discount at UK Apple stores Free access to Azure Dev tools (helpful to those with home labs) Free access to the Headspace mindfulness app to support your wellbeing Family-friendly policies Free onsite parking Contact and support from a dedicated candidate manager. Elementa will be managing all applicants and screening their suitability for the school. Elementa are not a supply agency, we are a schools services & recruiting partner to schools. We will manage the candidate vetting & compliance and process your payroll on behalf of the school whilst on trial contract. Therefore applicants being considered for the role after pre-screening may be required to complete the registration process for Elementa. This includes full vetting & background checks and application for a DBS Enhanced Disclosure (which may be chargeable at £64.20) unless you have a current DBS subscribed to the update service. ELEMENTA CANDIDATE COMMITMENT: Weekly pay – no waiting for monthly payroll cut off dates, Elementa pays one week in lieu. PAYE contract – unless a candidate specifically requests it, all candidates are paid via PAYE giving them the protections and payment structure of a traditional employer:employee relationship. Training & Support – a broad range of free or heavily discounted training available including Safeguarding, Behaviour, Team Teach, SEND, Makaton and Thrive. Regular welfare contact and support from a dedicated candidate manager. Fair pay policy – our candidates are paid to scale, where a variation on this may be required written agreement will be provided ahead of the position. Additional services to support our staff – we have a network of partners who offer support services to our candidates … tax returns, accountancy, legal and more. This role is not open to applicants not currently residing in the UK or requiring employer sponsorship to be able to take up employment in the UK. This role is not suited for the following applicants: ECT without previous UK & UK curriculum teaching experience not currently in the UK and unable to interview in person requiring employer sponsorship for RTW in the UK For more information click apply now below or contact us via phone or email. If you have the relevant skills and experience necessary for this role then please apply with your full up to date CV. All applicants will be promptly responded to
Head of Department English employer: Elementa Support Services
Contact Detail:
Elementa Support Services Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Department English
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school before your interview! Research their values, curriculum, and any recent achievements. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for that observed teaching lesson like it’s the final exam! Think about how you can showcase your teaching style and engage the students. Use creative methods to make your lesson memorable and impactful.
✨Tip Number 3
During the panel interview, don’t just answer questions—ask them too! Show your enthusiasm by inquiring about the department's goals and how you can contribute. It’s a two-way street, and we want to see your passion!
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Department English
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Department English role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in leading teams and delivering high-quality teaching. We want to see how you can inspire students and contribute to our vibrant school community!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your passion for English education and your vision for the department. We love seeing candidates who can articulate their ideas clearly and show us why they’re the perfect fit for our school.
Showcase Your Teaching Philosophy: In your application, share your teaching philosophy and how it aligns with our student-centred approach. We’re looking for someone who can create engaging and joyful lessons, so let us know how you plan to achieve that in your classroom!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our fantastic school environment right there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Elementa Support Services
✨Know Your Curriculum
Familiarise yourself with the English curriculum and the specific teaching methods used at the school. Be ready to discuss how you can enhance the current offerings and bring innovative ideas to the department.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Department, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team, managed conflicts, or implemented new strategies in previous roles.
✨Engage with Pastoral Care
Since pastoral care is a key strength of the school, be prepared to discuss how you would support students' wellbeing. Share your experiences in creating a supportive learning environment and liaising with external agencies.
✨Prepare for the Teaching Observation
Expect an observed teaching lesson as part of the interview process. Plan a dynamic and engaging lesson that reflects the school's student-centred approach, and be ready to explain your teaching choices during the observation.