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- Tasks: Lead a passionate team to enhance English curriculum and drive student success.
- Company: Join a school focused on character, community, and high expectations.
- Benefits: Access to professional development, leadership coaching, and a supportive environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career progression within a large national trust.
- Why this job: Make a transformational impact on students' lives and literacy skills.
- Qualifications: Proven teaching experience and a passion for curriculum development.
The predicted salary is between 47000 - 65000 ÂŁ per year.
We are looking for an ambitious, inspirational Head of English to lead a committed team and drive rapid improvement in curriculum, teaching and outcomes. This is a pivotal leadership role in 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 know that outcomes in English are central to our students’ life chances and we want to support you to deliver exceptional results.
Our school is moving forward with pace and purpose. 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. As Head of English, you will play a central role in shaping this culture and securing excellence across the department.
You will lead the strategic direction of English across Key Stages 3 and 4, implementing a knowledge‑rich, well‑sequenced curriculum that enables every student to achieve highly. You will oversee curriculum, assessment, teaching quality and the professional development of your team, modelling excellent practice and ensuring consistently strong classroom delivery. You will also champion reading, writing and oracy across the school, ensuring literacy is a powerful driver of equity and aspiration. The English department is already one of the strongest in the academy; you will build on this foundation to secure exceptional outcomes at GCSE. For the right candidate, there is also the opportunity to lead whole‑school literacy.
As a leader, you will shape your team’s professional development. Each week, you and the team have a timetabled co‑preparation slot, a protected space for co‑planning, scripting and CPD that supports rapid improvement and shared excellence. 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 Head of English will provide strategic leadership 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 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 ready to make a significant, lasting 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 are looking for a leader who can build on this strong 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 every student leaves us with the literacy, confidence and cultural capital they need to thrive. As Head of English, you will play a central role in shaping this experience.
Why Join Us?
A School with Purpose
We place 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
Your leadership will directly shape:
- Outcomes for every 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. For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Sam Genovese, Vice Principal.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, including a teaching task and leadership discussion.
Interview date: Thursday 21 May 2026
Curriculum Leader for English/Head of 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/Head of 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. A friendly chat can give you insider info about the culture and expectations, plus it shows your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the school's values and recent achievements. Tailor your responses to highlight how your vision aligns with their goals, especially around character and community. We want to see that you're not just a fit, but a perfect match!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership style! During the interview, share specific examples of how you've developed teams and improved outcomes. Use data to back up your claims, and don’t forget to mention how you champion literacy and oracy—it's a big deal for them!
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. 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/Head of English in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for English and education shine through in your application. We want to see how passionate you are about curriculum development and improving student outcomes!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with the role. We love seeing how your background fits with our vision for the English department.
Be Specific About Your Impact: When discussing your previous roles, be specific about the impact you've made. Use data or examples to illustrate how you've driven improvement in teaching and learning – we’re all about results!
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.
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 achievement.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your approach to leading a team. Highlight your experience in professional development and how you plan to inspire and support your colleagues to achieve high teaching standards.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Literacy
Since championing reading, writing, and oracy is key, come equipped with examples of how you've successfully promoted literacy in previous roles. Discuss specific strategies you would use to ensure all students can communicate confidently.
✨Engage with the School's Vision
Familiarise yourself with the school’s ethos around character, community, and high expectations. Be prepared to articulate how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to building a positive culture within the English department.