Head of English Department
Head of English Department

Head of English Department

Sevenoaks Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Go Premium
K

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and inspire a team to create engaging lessons for students.
  • Company: Join West Heath School, dedicated to rebuilding lives through education.
  • Benefits: Enjoy term-time only hours, free lunches, and excellent training opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while working in a supportive community.
  • Qualifications: Experience in teaching and leadership is essential; passion for student wellbeing is a must.
  • Other info: Be part of an exciting journey towards becoming a therapeutic community.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Social network you want to login/join with:

Working Hours: Full Time – Term Time Only

Closing Date: 7 September 2025

Starting Date: January 2026

Can you make the difference to the lives of our students? Do you like to be challenged? Do you love developing your team’s approach to teaching and learning and enjoy creating lessons that engage and inspire your students?

Do you want to be part of our SEMH school?

This could be the job for you.

West Heath School is a challenging place to work, but our dedicated staff rebuild lives through education. Teaching respect, encouraging responsibility, building relationships, and developing resilience in our students is an integral part of the role. Our committed, dynamic, and resourceful staff find working at West Heath School rewarding.

The Head of Department will inspire and lead a department of teachers and Specialist Learning Support Assistants to teach students in line with the School’s mission statement, ‘Rebuilding Lives through Education’. They will encourage teachers to both improve students’ academic outcomes and to promote students’ wellbeing by understanding and improving their social, emotional and mental health needs. All Heads of Department are responsible for creating a varied, engaging curriculum that can adapt to the individual needs of the students and promote the values of the 4Rs- Respect, Relationships, Resilience and Responsibility.

A Head of Department at West Heath School will be committed to a positive, fair and transparent leadership style; they will be imaginative and adaptable and strive for all students to enjoy their lessons and develop skills that they can use both in and outside of the classroom. They will conduct lesson observations, learning walks and book scrutinies, as well as participate in and organise whole school events and drop-down days. To enable staff the time to focus on the students and develop the department as a while Heads of Department will teach 16 lessons (45 minutes) out of 35.

Every member of staff plays a significant part in the students’ ability to achieve their full potential and positive outcomes whilst at West Heath School. To do this we need to work collaboratively and always as a team, which is essential to the students’ success and achievement.

We are a therapeutic community we are on an exciting journey to be registered as a therapeutic community and welcome staff who follow this ethos.

If you would like to be part of the journey helping our students gain their best outcomes, we can support you by offering:

  • Term Time only working
  • Free lunches
  • Generous Company Pension scheme
  • Employee Assistant Programme
  • Charity Discount Scheme
  • Summer and Christmas Social events
  • Free onsite parking
  • Swimming pool
  • Excellent training opportunities both internal and external

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Head of English Department employer: Kent Tech

West Heath School is an exceptional employer dedicated to transforming the lives of students through education. With a strong focus on staff development, a supportive work culture, and a commitment to wellbeing, employees enjoy term-time working, free lunches, and excellent training opportunities. Join our dynamic team in a therapeutic community where your contributions truly make a difference.
K

Contact Detail:

Kent Tech Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of English Department

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the ethos of West Heath School, particularly their focus on social, emotional, and mental health. Understanding how they integrate these values into their teaching will help you align your vision with theirs during any discussions or interviews.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how it promotes collaboration among staff. Highlight examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team to improve student outcomes, as this is crucial for the Head of Department role.

✨Tip Number 3

Think about innovative ways to create an engaging curriculum that caters to diverse learning needs. Be ready to share specific ideas or projects you've implemented in the past that demonstrate your ability to inspire both students and teachers.

✨Tip Number 4

Network with current or former staff members if possible. Gaining insights into the school culture and challenges can provide you with valuable information to tailor your approach and show your genuine interest in being part of their community.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of English Department

Leadership Skills
Curriculum Development
Teaching Experience
Understanding of SEMH Needs
Team Collaboration
Adaptability
Communication Skills
Lesson Planning
Observation and Feedback
Emotional Intelligence
Conflict Resolution
Engagement Strategies
Organisational Skills
Commitment to Continuous Improvement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the expectations and responsibilities of the Head of English Department. Highlight key phrases that resonate with your experience and teaching philosophy.

Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect your leadership experience, teaching methods, and any relevant achievements in improving student outcomes. Emphasise your commitment to social, emotional, and mental health needs.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for education and your vision for leading the English department. Include specific examples of how you have inspired teams and engaged students in previous roles.

Highlight Collaborative Skills: In your application, emphasise your ability to work collaboratively with staff and students. Mention any experiences where you successfully led a team or contributed to a positive school culture.

How to prepare for a job interview at Kent Tech

✨Understand the School's Mission

Familiarise yourself with West Heath School's mission statement, 'Rebuilding Lives through Education'. Be prepared to discuss how your vision aligns with this mission and how you can contribute to creating a positive impact on students' lives.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Style

As a Head of Department, your leadership style is crucial. Be ready to share examples of how you've led teams in the past, focusing on collaboration, transparency, and adaptability. Highlight your approach to fostering a supportive environment for both staff and students.

✨Emphasise Curriculum Development

Discuss your experience in creating engaging and varied curricula that cater to diverse student needs. Be specific about how you have adapted lessons to promote the values of respect, relationships, resilience, and responsibility in your previous roles.

✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios

Expect to be asked about real-life scenarios related to teaching and supporting students with social, emotional, and mental health needs. Prepare examples of how you've successfully handled similar situations, demonstrating your problem-solving skills and commitment to student wellbeing.

Head of English Department
Kent Tech
Go Premium

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

K
  • Head of English Department

    Sevenoaks
    Full-Time
    36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-08-31

  • K

    Kent Tech

Similar positions in other companies
UK’s top job board for Gen Z
discover-jobs-cta
Discover now
>