Head of Department - English

The Reach Free School, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 8AB

15 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026

• Closing date

  17 March 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  2 March 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Head of department or curriculum
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £34,562.00 - £54,764.00 Annually (Actual) plus an additional allowance of £12,069. A recruitment and retention payment of £10,000 is available for this position - details to be shared at the interview stage

Head of Department - English job summary

We are looking for a Head of Department with successful teaching experience across the age and

ability range. Someone who delivers exceptional outcomes at all levels. You will be joining a team

committed to empowering our pupils to head out into the world literate, articulate, and with a

genuine appreciation of literature.

You will have a passion for English and a track record of excellent teaching, collaboration and

creativity. You will hold and embody the highest expectations of your pupils and will have the

drive and ambition to create an outstanding environment for learning in English and beyond.

More information specific to this role is included in the application pack.

This is an excellent career opportunity offering valuable leadership and management experience that would provide the ideal preparation for future leadership roles.

The Reach Free School is looking for its middle leaders to:

• Be passionate about their subject, and learning as a lifelong skill

• Be outstanding practitioners who inspire pupils and colleagues

• Be creative in delivering a rigorous, aspirational curriculum

• Believe that every child can and will succeed

• Be committed to securing the best outcomes for all pupils at the school, with an in-depth understanding of how data can be used to maximise progress

• Support the senior leadership team with evidence-informed teaching methods

• Have a passion for education and be open to innovative approaches in everyday aspects of school life

• Offer enrichment experiences related to their subject area and beyond

• Contribute to the overall development of the school

• Be flexible in their approach to work, adapting to new challenges

• Support and mentor colleagues who are training

In return, we will offer you:

• A happy and supportive working environment with high expectations and standards

• Access to the latest technology to assist in developing your teaching and learning

• Competitive salaries based on skills and experience

• Access to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme

• A staff committee that organises various social events

• A comprehensive employee assistance programme

• A £500 new employee referral scheme

• Free parking

• A BUPA cash plan to contribute to medical care

• A Cycle to Work Salary Sacrifice Scheme

• Up to five days paid leave in compassionate, emergency or exceptional circumstances. For example, our staff can see their children perform in assemblies or shows.

• A network of outstanding practitioners to collaborate with and learn from, both in school and across the Watford Partnership for Teacher Training

• A comprehensive professional development programme, together with opportunities to further develop your career

The Reach Free School is a successful secondary school which celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2023. The over-subscribed school is a popular choice for local families. The school has excellent modern facilities built in 2018, right in the heart of its community. If the challenges of working in a local secondary school appeal to you, then we would like to hear from you.

Further information is available from our website: www.thereachfreeschool.co.uk.

Potential candidates are encouraged to contact The Reach Free School with any questions on 01923 711517 or via email to Mrs Keri McKay, HR Officer, kmckay@reachfree.co.uk.

Closing date for applications: Apply by midday on Tuesday 17th March 2026

Interviews to take place: week commencing Monday 23rd March 2026

Safer Recruitment

The Reach Free School is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment. To ensure we fulfil this responsibility, all candidates will undergo a thorough selection process designed to deter and identify unsuitable applicants. Details of this process are outlined below. Should you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Disclosure

This role involves significant access to children, and any appointment will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for previous criminal convictions. Candidates must disclose any convictions, cautions, or bind-overs, including ‘spent convictions’ as defined under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020), prior to appointment. Failure to disclose relevant information may result in termination of employment. However, a criminal background will not automatically exclude individuals from employment; each case will be considered based on the nature and timing of the offence(s).

Online searches

Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) requires schools to conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates as part of the suitability assessment process. The school will also carry out a prohibition from teaching check. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of your employment.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

The Reach Free School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and expects all staff to share this commitment. In accordance with our Safer Recruitment Policy we are unable to process applications without a fully completed application form. The successful applicant must obtain DBS clearance at enhanced level. The school will also carry out a prohibition from teaching check, as well as in-depth online checks. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of your employment.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About The Reach Free School

• School type: Free School, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 753 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: The Reach Free School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-reach-free-school

The Reach Free School is an 11 to 18 school in Rickmansworth, which serves pupils of all backgrounds and abilities. Opened in September 2013, the school was founded by a group of teachers and local parents in response to a significant demand for more secondary school places in the area.

All involved with the school have high aspirations for our pupils and high expectations of them. As such we expect all pupils to: commit their best efforts to all that they do; support each other to achieve their potential; work with their teachers to exceed their goals; demonstrate exemplary behaviour in all that they do; take pride in their school and its community within its walls and beyond; enjoy learning.

The Reach Free School plays an active role in the community, working with local businesses, supporting local events and providing a hub for local services. Pupils are very much involved in the school’s wider responsibilities, developing skills in leadership and decision making, communication and collaboration and independent, self led learning.

A sense of purpose and responsibility pervades lessons and activities at The Reach Free School and it is important that our pupils recognise their own responsibilities as members of the community. It is this that underpins The Reach Free School’s ethos; Achievement, Community, Enjoyment – ACE.

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