Head of English

The Robert Napier School, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 2LX

4 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  1st September 2026

• Closing date

  20 April 2026 at 10am

• Date listed

  24 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: £61,534.00 - £67,898.00 Annually (Actual) Leadership pay scale L8-L12

Head of English job summary

We are seeking an experienced leader who can develop and embed a coherent, ambitious curriculum, ensuring that students not only achieve strong outcomes but also develop a genuine love of English. Reading sits at the heart of our school priorities, and this role carries a clear moral responsibility: to nurture confident readers, develop rich vocabulary, and ensure that every student can access, enjoy and succeed in English — whatever their starting point.

You will be a leader who understands the power of great teaching, consistency, and culture. Someone who can inspire and support staff, build trust, and create a department where expectations are clear, practice is strong and professional learning is purposeful.

Above all, you will be an outstanding classroom practitioner, with the outcomes to prove it. You will model excellence daily, secure strong progress for students with a wide range of needs and translate high expectations into everyday practice. Your passion for English, reading and learning will be evident in your teaching, your leadership, and your unwavering belief in what our students can achieve.

We are looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic person who:

• An experienced and impactful middle or senior leader with a strong track record in English
• An outstanding classroom practitioner with consistently strong student outcomes
• A leader who can inspire, support and hold staff to high expectations
• A deep commitment to reading, literacy and curriculum excellence
• A strong focus on consistency, culture and high-quality teaching
• Someone who believes passionately in the potential of every student
• Has a friendly manner and can communicate effectively with staff and pupils

In return, we offer you:

• an incredibly supportive group of colleagues and leaders
• comprehensive induction programme with a commitment to CPD
• Care First employee assistance programme
• non-contributory membership of Benenden private health care cover
• membership of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme
• two-week, half-term break in October
• cycle to work scheme

For further details on this role and to apply please visit the school’s careers page Our Vacancies - The Robert Napier School.

Visits to the School are strongly encouraged. For further information and to arrange a visit, please contact Charli Reader via email recruitments@robertnapier.org.uk

We reserve the right to bring forward the closing date and/or interview date where interest and applications received are high, therefore we encourage early applications.

Safeguarding commitment

Beyond Schools Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All post holders in a regulated activity are subject to appropriate vetting procedures and a satisfactory "Disclosing and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced check".

Equality & Inclusivity Statement

At Beyond Schools Trust we strive to be a diverse and inclusive workplace where we can ALL be ourselves. We particularly encourage applications from under-represented communities, including but not limited to those who identify as Black, Asian or from a minority ethnic background.

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

Beyond Schools Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All post holders in a regulated activity are subject to appropriate vetting procedures and a satisfactory "Disclosing and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced check".

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 Robert Napier School

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1011 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: The Robert Napier School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-robert-napier-school-gillingham

School location

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