Head of English Department

Roles and responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• Lead the English Department: Provide leadership and direction for the English department, ensuring the alignment of teaching practices and departmental objectives with the institution’s goals.
• Supervise Staff: Manage and support a team of English teachers. This includes conducting performance appraisals, providing professional development opportunities, and mentoring new or less experienced teachers.
• Curriculum Oversight: Oversee the design, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of the English curriculum, ensuring it meets academic standards and caters to the diverse needs of students.
• Resource Management: Manage the department’s budget, including the procurement of resources like textbooks, technology, and supplementary materials.
• Ensure Academic Excellence: Monitor student progress and ensure high academic standards are maintained. Work to address any gaps in learning and implement strategies to raise achievement levels.

2. Curriculum Development

• Develop and Update the English Curriculum: Ensure the curriculum is current, relevant, and engaging, with clear objectives across reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
• Assess and Implement Teaching Strategies: Ensure that varied, innovative teaching strategies are used to engage all students. Stay current with teaching methodologies, such as project-based learning, differentiation, and digital tools in the classroom.
• Incorporate Literature and Language Diversity: Make sure the curriculum reflects a broad range of literature (classic, contemporary, global, etc.) and caters to the diversity of the student body.

3. Teaching and Learning

• Model Effective Teaching: As a leader in the department, the Head of English may also take on teaching responsibilities, setting a high standard for others to follow.
• Monitor Student Progress: Oversee student assessments, track results, and develop interventions for struggling students. Ensure a rigorous system for tracking and reporting student performance.
• Promote Student Engagement: Foster a love for reading and writing among students, encouraging their participation in literary activities, book clubs, competitions, etc.
• Ensure Differentiation: Guide teachers in meeting the needs of students with varied learning styles, abilities, and backgrounds, including those with special educational needs (SEN).

4. Professional Development and Collaboration

• Professional Development for Staff: Organize and lead professional development workshops, seminars, and training programs to enhance the teaching and assessment skills of the English department staff.
• Collaboration: Work collaboratively with other heads of departments to ensure cross-curricular integration and support broader school initiatives.
• Promote Best Practices: Encourage the sharing of effective teaching practices and resources among department members.

Desired candidate profile

Leadership and Management • Provide strategic leadership and
direction for the English department.
• Manage and support a team of teachers,
ensuring high standards of teaching and
professional development.
• Lead curriculum planning, development,
and evaluation within the department.
• Monitor and evaluate the quality
of teaching and learning, ensuring
consistency and high standards.
• Manage departmental budgets,
resources, and staffing efficiently.
Teaching and Learning • Promote outstanding teaching practices
across all English subjects.
• Ensure the curriculum is broad,
balanced, and meets the needs of all
students.
• Implement effective assessment
strategies to monitor student progress
and inform teaching.
• Develop and implement strategies
to improve student attainment and
progress in English.
• Foster a culture of academic excellence