At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic English department and drive curriculum improvement for students' success.
- Company: Join a school that prioritises character, community, and high expectations.
- Benefits: Access to professional development, leadership coaching, and collaborative networks.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for aspiring leaders to shape the future of education.
- Why this job: Make a transformational impact on students' literacy and life chances.
- Qualifications: Proven teaching experience and passion for curriculum development.
The predicted salary is between 47000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are seeking an ambitious, inspirational Curriculum Leader of English to lead a committed team and drive rapid improvement in curriculum, teaching and outcomes. This is a pivotal role at a school that places character, high expectations and community at the heart of everything we do. As an academy on a strong improvement journey, we believe outcomes in English are crucial to the life chances of our students and want to support you in delivering the best results possible.
Our school is on a journey of rapid improvement. We are building a culture where students are proud, kind and determined, and where staff are supported to deliver the very best for every child. You will play a pivotal role in this work.
As Curriculum Leader English, you will shape the strategic direction of the department across Key Stages 3 and 4, implementing a knowledge rich, well sequenced curriculum that enables every student to achieve highly. You will lead on curriculum, assessment, teaching quality and the professional development of your team, modelling excellent practice and securing consistently strong classroom delivery.
You will also play a central role in championing reading, writing and oracy across the school, ensuring that literacy is a powerful driver of equity and aspiration for all students. The English department is already one of the strongest in the academy, and you will build on this foundation to secure exceptional outcomes at GCSE. The opportunity to lead whole school literacy will be available for the right candidate.
As a leader, you will lead your team's professional development. Each week, you and the team have a timetabled co-preparation slot. These are core moments each week for co-planning, scripting and CPD to support you in enacting rapid improvement across the department.
As part of Oasis Community Learning, you will benefit from trust wide networks, high quality professional development and the support of experienced national and regional leaders. This is an exciting opportunity for a leader who is proud, kind and determined — and who wants to make a transformational difference to the life chances of young people.
About the Role:
- The Curriculum Leader English will provide strategic leadership for English across Key Stages 3 and 4, ensuring a curriculum and teaching approach that is:
- Knowledge rich and academically ambitious
- Logically sequenced, building powerful knowledge over time
- Consistently delivered, with high quality teaching in every classroom
- Driven by assessment, enabling teachers to respond to gaps and misconceptions
- Focused on literacy, ensuring all students can read, write and communicate with confidence
You will lead a committed team of teachers and will be responsible for:
- Curriculum design and development
- Quality assurance and teaching standards
- Assessment, data analysis and intervention
- Line management and professional development
- Championing reading, writing and oracy across the school
- Securing strong outcomes at GCSE
This is a role for a leader who is ready to make a significant impact.
Our English Department
The English department is a hardworking, collaborative team with a strong commitment to improving outcomes for students. We teach a curriculum that values:
- Rich, challenging texts
- Excellent expositions from subject experts
- Explicit instruction of Tier 2 vocabulary
- Precise writing instruction based on the Hochman method
- Oracy and structured talk
- Rigorous assessment and responsive teaching
We want a leader who can build on this foundation, strengthen consistency and drive excellence across the department.
Our students:
Our students are energetic, diverse and full of potential. They deserve a curriculum that challenges them, inspires them and prepares them for the world beyond school. We are committed to ensuring that every student leaves us with the literacy, confidence and cultural capital they need to thrive. As Curriculum Leader English, you will play a central role in shaping this experience.
Why Join Us?
A School with Purpose: We are a school that places character, community and high expectations at the heart of everything we do. We believe in the power of education to transform lives, and we are building a culture where staff and students can flourish.
A Trust That Invests in People: As part of Oasis Community Learning, you will benefit from:
- Trust wide curriculum networks
- High quality professional development
- Leadership coaching and support
- Opportunities to collaborate with experienced national and regional leaders
- A strong ethos rooted in inclusion, equity and community transformation
A Leadership Role with Real Influence: This is a role where your leadership will directly shape:
- Outcomes for every single student
- Curriculum intent and implementation
- Teaching quality across the department
- GCSE outcomes for hundreds of students
- Whole school literacy strategy
- The professional growth of your team
If you want to make a difference, this is the place to do it.
Who We Are Looking For
We are seeking a leader who is:
- An excellent classroom practitioner with a strong track record of impact
- Passionate about curriculum, pedagogy and subject knowledge
- Skilled at developing others and building strong teams
- Committed to inclusion and high expectations for every student
- Motivated by school improvement and the challenge of raising standards
- Able to inspire confidence, trust and ambition in staff and students
You may already be a middle leader, or you may be an aspiring leader ready for your first step into curriculum leadership. What matters most is your drive, expertise and belief in what young people can achieve.
The Offer
We provide:
- A leadership role with genuine scope to shape the future of English
- A supportive senior leadership team including English specialists
- Access to trust wide training, networks and expertise
- Opportunities for career progression within a large national trust
- A culture that values staff wellbeing, collaboration and professional growth
We look forward to receiving your application and learning more about what you can bring to our school. If you’d like an informal discussion about this role, please contact Sam Genovese, Vice Principal.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, this process will include a teaching task and leadership discussion. Interview date will be Thursday 21 May 2026.
Curriculum Leader for English in Southampton employer: Oasis Academy Lord's Hill
Contact Detail:
Oasis Academy Lord's Hill Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Curriculum Leader for English in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former staff at the school, and connect with them on LinkedIn. Ask about their experiences and any tips they might have for your interview. This insider info can give you a real edge!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to showcase your leadership style. Think about specific examples where you've driven improvement in curriculum or teaching outcomes. Be ready to discuss how you can inspire and develop your team to achieve exceptional results.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Run through potential interview questions with a friend or mentor. Focus on articulating your vision for the English department and how you plan to champion literacy across the school.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our community and making a difference in students' lives.
We think you need these skills to ace Curriculum Leader for English in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for English shine through in your application. We want to see how passionate you are about curriculum development and improving student outcomes. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in your previous roles!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the values and expectations outlined in the job description. Highlight your experience with curriculum design, teaching quality, and professional development, as these are key areas for us.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate well-organised applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oasis Academy Lord's Hill
✨Know Your Curriculum Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the curriculum design and development aspects mentioned in the job description. Be ready to discuss how you would implement a knowledge-rich, well-sequenced curriculum that drives student outcomes. Bring examples of your past experiences where you've successfully led curriculum improvements.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to articulate your leadership philosophy and how you plan to inspire and develop your team. Think about specific strategies you’ve used to build strong teams and improve teaching quality. Highlight your commitment to professional development and how you would support your colleagues in achieving excellence.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Literacy
Since championing reading, writing, and oracy is crucial for this role, come prepared with ideas on how you would promote literacy across the school. Share any innovative practices you’ve implemented in the past that have successfully engaged students and improved their literacy skills.
✨Be Ready for the Teaching Task
As part of the interview process, you’ll need to complete a teaching task. Make sure you prepare a lesson that reflects the high expectations and rigorous assessment methods outlined in the job description. Focus on how you would engage students and respond to their needs during the lesson.