Head of Primary English in Leeds

An exciting opportunity has arisen within White Rose Education. We are now looking for a creative, self‑motivated, dynamic, passionate and driven individual who wants to help us shape the future of English education.

Working as the Head of Primary English, the core purpose of your role will be:

• To lead the creation and development of the White Rose English curriculum and associated resources, managing and developing a team of Primary English Specialists.
• To produce high‑quality materials that support the White Rose English curriculum.
• To support the teaching of English in primary provision through high‑quality, effective CPD and working with primary school leaders.
• To work with individual teachers to improve their practice in English.
• To work with school leaders to audit requirements, provision and plan for improvements.
• To support and advise schools with effective implementation of the White Rose English curriculum.
• To contribute strategically to the development of the wider WRE core‑subject offer, including curriculum, assessment and oracy development.
• To support any other reasonable request, working with other partners as appropriate.

You will need to be a great team player, as excellent teamwork is at the heart of everything we do. You'll be a positive thinker, willing to flex, adapt and go the extra mile. A natural ability to inspire confidence in staff, school leaders and others is essential. This role will be immensely rewarding, and you will relish the opportunity to help shape a high‑quality English curriculum offer for schools.

To be considered for this role you must hold QTS, have passed your ECT, and be able to evidence effective teaching and performance within Primary English. Experience of subject leadership in a teaching environment is essential, alongside strong knowledge of curriculum development and effective teaching practice in English.

Applications should be submitted with an up‑to‑date CV and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you feel you are the right person for the role. You will then need to complete a full paper application to be considered for the role as we recruit to safer recruitment standards.

Closing date: Friday 22nd May 2026, 12 noon.

All applications will be considered in line with our recruitment practices. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an assessment day in the week beginning May 25th.

Key accountabilities include:

• To lead on the direction and development of the White Rose English curriculum and CPD offer for Primary.
• To oversee the development and production of agreed Primary English resources for White Rose Education.
• To ensure the White Rose English curriculum reflects current research, national priorities and developments arising from curriculum reform.
• To provide strategic advice and guidance to support the development of Primary English practice across a wide variety of schools globally.
• To provide leadership on any external projects and initiatives related to Primary English.
• Contribute to the training and development needs within the team, with regards to Primary English.
• To effectively evaluate the impact of White Rose English training and resources at the Primary phase and strategically plan for improvement.
• To line manage and develop the Primary English team and promote the ethos, vision and work of White Rose Education.
• Provide leadership support, advice and guidance to English Leads and Principals with regards to Primary English development across the Trust.
• To support senior leadership on the completion of high‑level proposals and pitches to access partnerships.
• To lead on research within Primary English.
• Stay up‑to‑date with the latest trends and developments in the education sector, and use this knowledge to inform the development of our resources, CPD courses and school improvement services for Primary English.
• To develop, launch and give new initiatives and innovative practice in Primary English across schools and other settings.
• To work collaboratively across subjects to support the development of the White Rose Education core‑subject offer and cross‑curricular resources.
• To support the integration of curriculum, assessment and professional development within White Rose English.
• To work with external organisations to promote and develop White Rose Education.

All staff must abide by company policies and procedures, copies of which are available on our HR system. While every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities of the post, each individual task may not be identified. Employees will be expected to comply with any reasonable request to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified within this job description.

This job description is current at the date shown. It will be reviewed at least annually, and in consultation with you, it may be changed by the Site Manager to reflect or anticipate changes in the role or business need.

Key relationships of the role include: Specialist team, Head of Primary subjects, Director of Curriculum and Research, Director of Education and Partnerships, Head of Assessments & Partnerships.

Direct reports: English Specialists and Lead Specialists.

Qualifications and experience required:

• Must hold QTS and passed ECT.
• Educated to degree level.
• An excellent track record of recent, relevant professional development.
• Accountability for the performance of a cohort of young people.
• Evidence of effective teaching and performance within area of specialism.
• Experience of subject leadership in a teaching environment.
• Experience of curriculum development.
• Taking accountability for the success of an initiative.
• Experience of further study.
• Experience of developing resources and CPD for teachers.
• Active membership of professional subject organisations.

Essential knowledge and understanding:

• Of the principles and characteristics of outstanding teaching and learning in English.
• Of the principals and practices of planning and delivery.
• Of effective review and evaluation procedures of current developments in English curriculum, assessment and oracy.
• Of innovative approaches to working with students, staff, partners and the local education community.
• Of the application of ICT, literacy and numeracy to outstanding teaching.
• Of subject knowledge to a high level within Primary English, including the National Curriculum, curriculum research reviews and other relevant government publications.
• Experience of creating different resources, using different packages (spreadsheet and presentation software / other).

Essential personal qualities and skills:

• Ability to inspire confidence in staff, students, parents and others.
• Set high standards and provide a role model.
• Enjoyment and commitment to personal development.
• Enjoyment in working with young people.
• Adaptability to changing circumstances / new ideas.
• Reliability and integrity.
• Ability to prioritise, plan and organise.
• Ambitious.
• Determination to succeed to the highest possible expectations of self and others.

Essential communication skills:

• Communicate training programmes and plans.
• Deliver training, CPD and support the development of others.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing to a range of audiences.
• Liaise effectively with other organisations and agencies.

Essential decision-making skills:

• Demonstrate good judgement.
• Ability to make decisions, based on data and achievement.

Essential self-management skills:

• Prioritise and manage own time effectively.
• Work under pressure and to deadlines.
• Reliability, integrity and stamina.
• Resilience and perspective.
• Achieve challenging professional goals.
• Take responsibility for own professional development.

Essential leadership and management skills:

• Work effectively as both a leader and a member of a team.
• Initiate, lead and manage change.
• Prioritise, plan and organise.
• Set high standards and provide a role model for staff.
• Deal sensitively with people and resolve conflicts.
• Seek advice and support when necessary.
• Liaise effectively with other organisations and agencies.