English Consultant

We are looking to appoint a new English Consultant to our central team of subject specialists. We want to hear from experienced teachers who have gained experience in a middle leadership role, and who have a track record of raising achievement within a department. The successful applicant will join an established team of specialists, working to further raise standards and further drive improvement across the Harris Federation. The role of English Consultant is an exciting post providing enormous scope for a talented and creative practitioner to work collaboratively across a group of academies.

This is a predominantly school‑based role, with the majority of work focused on supporting our secondary academies across Essex. You will also provide support to London academies when required. Although we aim to schedule work locally, candidates must be able to commute regularly to Essex for this role and be willing to travel across the trust when necessary. The Harris Federation central office is located near East and West Croydon stations, where occasional meetings will be held that you will be required to attend. Flexibility and a willingness to travel are essential.

The post would suit an ambitious middle leader seeking to broaden their subject expertise and responsibilities, or someone considering a future leadership pathway towards their first headship. Although based at Harris Federation offices near East and West Croydon stations, your time will be spent working across academies in both London and Essex.

We look for talented individuals who want to be a part of transforming education in London and Essex, and helping create exceptional places of learning. The successful applicant will be resilient, creative and a dynamic practitioner, and must hold QTS (or equivalent) and a relevant degree. You will be fully supported through a comprehensive Induction Programme both within and across the Harris Federation.

In addition to the opportunities for career progression, training and development, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, a Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits.

Further details about the role

The role will be multi‑faceted and involve coaching and mentoring, sharing of best practice, developing robust improvement strategies, assisting Harris academies in recruitment and selection, helping to establish new departments or lead rapid recovery where required. Our central team consultants work strategically with Principals, senior leadership teams and support academy departments to improve standards and the outcomes for our students.

As a senior leader, you will have the opportunity to develop and advance your career within a Federation established in developing practitioners and nurturing excellent future leaders. You will have unrivalled opportunities for progression; whatever your aspirations as a senior leader, our Teaching School Alliance provides a range of bespoke courses and qualifications, including our Aspiring Leaders NPQSL and NPQH programmes to help you achieve your ambitions more quickly. The Federation operates twin Teaching Schools as well as a number of highly successful CPD Networks, and the post holder would have the opportunity to play a key role in this work.

We are looking for an experienced teacher with a deep passion for their subject. Our consultant roles are suitable for those with management experience (ideally but not necessarily at Head of Department level or alternatively be an aspirant Leading Practitioner). The post would suit an ambitious middle leader looking either to broaden their subject expertise and responsibilities, or who may be considering a future leadership pathway to their first headship.

Commitment to safeguarding

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants. Before applying, please review our Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex‑Offenders.