At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic English department, driving curriculum improvement and teaching excellence.
- Company: Oasis Academy Lord's Hill, a school focused on character and community.
- Benefits: Leadership role with professional development, career progression, and a supportive team.
- Other info: Join a collaborative environment committed to inclusion and high expectations.
- Why this job: Shape the future of English education and inspire students to achieve their potential.
- Qualifications: Strong classroom practitioner with leadership potential and a passion for education.
The predicted salary is between 47000 - 131056 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. Our school is moving forward with pace and purpose, 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 will have a timetabled co‑preparation slot, a protected space for co‑planning, scripting and CPD that supports rapid improvement and shared excellence.
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
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
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.
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
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
Safeguarding Statement
Oasis Academy Lord's Hill is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from under‑represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
Curriculum Leader for English/Head of English in London employer: Oasis Community Learning
Contact Detail:
Oasis Community Learning Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Curriculum Leader for English/Head of English in London
✨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. It’s all about making those connections!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the school's values and recent achievements. Tailor your responses to show how your vision aligns with their goals. We want to see that you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for the school culture!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership style during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've developed others and improved teaching quality in your previous roles. We love to hear about your impact and how you inspire your team!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! This is your chance to find out more about the school’s approach to literacy and curriculum development. It shows you’re genuinely interested and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you too.
We think you need these skills to ace Curriculum Leader for English/Head of English in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for English: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for English shine through! Share specific examples of how you've inspired students and improved outcomes in your previous roles. We want to see that you’re not just about the curriculum, but also about igniting a love for literature and language.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Head of English, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience. Talk about how you've developed others, managed teams, or implemented successful strategies in the classroom. We’re looking for someone who can inspire confidence and ambition in both staff and students.
Be Specific About Your Vision: We want to know how you plan to drive improvement in our English department. Outline your vision for a knowledge-rich curriculum and how you would implement it. Be clear about your approach to assessment and teaching quality, as well as how you’ll champion literacy across the school.
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 ensure you’re considered for this exciting role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our community right from the start!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oasis Community Learning
✨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. Bring examples of your past experiences where you've successfully led curriculum improvements.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a potential Head of English, it’s crucial to demonstrate your leadership skills. Prepare to talk about how you’ve developed others in your team and how you plan to inspire and motivate your colleagues. Think of specific instances where you’ve championed professional development or improved teaching standards.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Literacy
Literacy is a key focus for this role, so be prepared to discuss your strategies for championing reading, writing, and oracy across the school. Share your thoughts on how you can ensure that all students can communicate with confidence and how you would address any gaps in literacy.
✨Prepare for Data-Driven Discussions
Since assessment and data analysis are vital parts of the role, come equipped with examples of how you’ve used data to inform teaching practices and interventions. Be ready to discuss how you would respond to gaps and misconceptions in student learning, ensuring high-quality teaching in every classroom.