Head of Faculty - English in Heathfield

This role does not offer sponsorship. At Outcomes First Group, we put wellbeing first. That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you work 80% of your hours for 100% of your pay. Many of our schools have already adopted the 4DWW, with others preparing to introduce it once fully staffed—making now a great time to join #teamOFG.

The Head of Faculty (English) plays a central leadership role in driving excellence in teaching, learning, and student achievement across the English department. Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team and Curriculum/Inclusion leads, you will develop and deliver a broad, inclusive, and engaging curriculum that meets the needs of learners at all key stages. You will lead, inspire, and support your team to ensure consistently high standards and positive outcomes for every student.

• Lead the development and delivery of an ambitious, high-quality English curriculum across all key stages and sites.
• Raise standards of pupil attainment and achievement within the faculty, ensuring accountability for outcomes.
• Monitor pupil progress and work closely with staff to implement targeted support and interventions.
• Ensure the curriculum is broad, balanced, relevant, differentiated, and regularly reviewed to meet national developments and school priorities.
• Manage and deploy faculty resources effectively, including financial and physical assets, to support departmental and school development plans.
• Undertake regular audits, monitoring, and quality assurance checks to maintain high standards in teaching and learning.

This role is ideal for an ambitious, reflective English leader passionate about curriculum excellence, staff development, and enabling every student to achieve their potential.

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Qualified: UK QTS and a relevant honours degree.
• Experienced: Strong understanding of SEMH needs, with experience supporting pupils who may also present with ASC, learning difficulties, and complex needs.
• Compassionate & Resilient: Able to build trusting relationships with pupils who may have faced significant challenges.
• Knowledgeable: Comfortable teaching all three areas of English (Reading, Writing and Speaking and Listening).
• Creative & Flexible: You’ll need to adapt and innovate to meet individual needs.

The Greater Horseshoe School is an independent special school near Newton Abbot in Devon, providing education for young people with complex needs. Set in a peaceful woodland environment and supported by a nearby care farm, we combine academic and vocational programmes with outdoor learning and therapeutic approaches tailored to each pupil’s individual strengths and needs. Our experienced staff work closely with every young person to remove barriers to learning, foster personal and social development, and create a caring, inclusive environment that enables pupils to achieve positive outcomes and build the skills, confidence, and resilience needed for their future.

Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people’s lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact. We are really proud to say that in 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. Benefits include:

• Life Assurance & Pension scheme.
• Mental health support, physical health checks, and wellbeing services.
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista) to choose perks that suit you.
• Cycle to Work & Electric Car Purchase Schemes.
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced parental leave and fertility treatment support.
• 4-Day Working Week: Work 80% of your hours, get 100% pay (subject to successful probation).

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.