Curriculum Leader English
Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 9UJ25 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
24 February 2026 at 9am
Date listed
30 January 2026
Job details
Job role
- Head of department or curriculum
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
Subject
- English
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- MPS / UPR
Additional allowances
TLR 1B (£12,521)
What skills and experience we're looking for
We are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic full time teacher to join the English department, which is one of the largest in the school. There are currently eight members of the English teaching staff; all are subject specialists. The post is full time, teaching English Language and Literature to Years 7-Upper Sixth.
English at Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School (TWGGS) is a thriving and extremely popular subject which achieves outstanding results at all levels. At GCSE 62% of pupils in 2024 gained grades 9-7 in English Literature and 58% gained grades 9-7 in English Language; at A level 32% of pupils gained A*/A, with 71% gaining A*-B. English Literature is a popular subject at A level with consistently strong cohort numbers of 60 to 80 pupils across the Lower and Upper Sixth each year. A number of A level pupils go on to study English and related subjects at top universities with notable success.
There are six purpose-built English teaching rooms equipped with whiteboards and visualizers and we have an extremely well-stocked library of teaching texts in a dedicated English Office. In addition to these facilities, there is a well-resourced and spacious library and there are four ICT rooms in the main school buildings. All English teachers are expected to be able to teach all key stages and to cater for the needs of a large number of gifted and talented students.
In Years 7-9, pupils follow schemes of work that cover the requirements of the National Curriculum but also aim to challenge, enthuse and extend their knowledge of the broad scope of the subject. The curriculum is organised thematically, with a focus on the concept of storytelling in Year 7; conflict, protest and challenge in Year 8; and the ‘human condition’ in Year 9, encompassing a broad and diverse range of classic and contemporary novels, plays, poetry, and non-fiction texts. Skills are revisited and refined throughout the key stage, in order to provide pupils with the tools required to become increasingly confident, critical and creative readers and writers. At GCSE level, pupils currently follow AQA’s specifications for GCSE English Language and Literature. We offer A Level English Literature, delivering Edexcel’s current specification.
The department offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities at all key stages and that cover the three skills areas of English, including thriving reading groups who partake in the Carnegie Medal shadowing scheme and the Page Turners West Kent book awards. We aim to take every year group on an educational visit at least once per year, which includes: a visit to Shakespeare’s Globe for Year 7 for a tour and theatrical workshop; theatre productions of set texts or similar plays to support enrichment in Years 8 and 9, GCSE and A level; workshops at the British Library to explore the breadth and diversity of literature in English; and a visit to Monk’s House and Charleston in East Sussex to complement the teaching of Mrs Dalloway at A Level.
The post offers an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic candidate to join a highly successful, supportive and inspirational department, building even further on its success. We are looking for a candidate who is passionate about the subject, an outstanding classroom teacher and keen to join a department eager to inspire pupils to develop their skills to the very highest level. The ideal candidate would have experience of middle leadership or be willing to learn with experience of line managing and a strong track record of success in English at both GCSE and A Level.
TWGGS is a diverse and inclusive school and we aim to recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds who add value to our pupils and who share our vision and ethos. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. As such, the successful applicant will be required to undertake a criminal record check via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). TWGGS is an equal opportunities employer and an Ofsted Outstanding school.
What the school offers its staff
Benefits of working at TWGGS
Teachers’ Pension Scheme
Access to training and development
Discounts with local and national retailers,cinemas and restaurants
Free tea and coffee
On site parking
Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme- wellbeing and advice
Cycle to work scheme
Free lunch on parents' evenings and on yourbirthday
From 2026-27 admissions, 'Daughters of staff' iscategory 5 of our admissions criteria - daughtersof permanent members of staff (minimum0.5FTE) who have passed the Kent Test, with thestaff member having at least two years’ service atthe time of application for admission is madeorif the member of staff has been recruited to fill avacant post for which there is a demonstrableskill shortage
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applying for the job
This job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School
- School type
- Local authority maintained school, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1095 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School website
- Email address
- michelle.clarke@twggs.kent.sch.uk
- Phone number
- 01892 520902
TWGGS is a diverse and inclusive school and we aim to recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds who add value to our pupils and who share our vision and ethos. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. As such, the successful applicant will be required to undertake a criminal record check via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). TWGGS is an equal opportunities employer and an Ofsted Outstanding school.
Arranging a visit to Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email michelle.clarke@twggs.kent.sch.uk.
School location
Similar jobs nearby
Get a job alert when similar jobs are listed
Find more school jobs in Kent and Medway