Head of English Department
John Hanson Community School, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 3PB33 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
20 April 2026 at 9am
Date listed
18 March 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4
Subject
- English
Working pattern
- Full time: 32.5
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- Main Pay Range / Upper Pay Range
Additional allowances
TLR 1b (£12,525)
What skills and experience we're looking for
We have an exciting opportunity for an ambitious individual to lead and develop our English Department at John Hanson Community School. We are a successful, over-subscribed 11-16 community school, rated Good by OFSTED.
Our vision is to inspire and empower our students, within a culture of care and belonging, to embrace opportunities to learn, succeed and become the best versions of themselves. This is underpinned by our strapline: Inspire. Care. Succeed.
“A very happy and inclusive school because staff have successfully created a caring and aspirational culture. They share a genuine belief that all pupils can fulfil their potential.” (Ofsted March 2024)
We are seeking an inspirational and experienced forward-thinking teacher to lead our successful English Department. You will have the confidence and creativity to develop curriculum and pedagogy that engages students and fosters a love for English. This is an excellent opportunity to shape and drive a key department within a supportive, dynamic school environment. As Head of English, you will provide strategic leadership for the department, ensuring high standards of teaching and learning while supporting and developing a strong team of teachers.
You will join a team of specialist teachers and benefit from an ethos that values collaboration, innovation, and professional growth.
“The school is very mindful of staff workload and of creating a positive and supportive working environment which puts pupils first. Staff recognise this and are proud to work at the school” (Ofsted March 2024)
The successful candidate will:
Lead and manage the English Department setting a clear vision for excellence
Be passionate about teaching English at Key Stage 3 and 4
Have strong subject knowledge and a commitment to driving standards and progress
Develop and review the English curriculum in line with national requirements
Support and mentor staff including early career teachers
Promote reading, writing and literacy across the wider school community
Have a commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare of students
Embrace wider school life and foster a sense of belonging in the department and beyond
What the school offers its staff
We offer:
A highly supportive and collaborative environment with opportunities to develop.
Professionaldevelopment of the highest standard
A dedicated, passionate team of teachers, leaders, and support staff.
Trained Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA), a Staff Well-Being Action Group (SWAGs) and Mental Health Leads; we are proud signatories of the DfE well-being Charter.
Confidential support through various stages of colleagues’ life, including with pregnancy and maternity, menopause and with Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI).
A strong culture of care, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
We welcome informal conversations with a member of our Senior Leadership Team, and encourage you to come and visit our school to meet our staff and students. If you wish to do so, pleaseemailrecruit@jhanson.hants.sch.ukto arrange a date and time.
Closing date: 9am Monday 20th April 2026
Interview date: tbc
Further details are available from our website or email recruit@jhanson.hants.sch.uk
John Hanson Community School and Hampshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.
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
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About John Hanson Community School
- School type
- Local authority maintained school, ages 11 to 16
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 993 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- John Hanson Community School website
- Email address
- recruitment@jhanson.hants.sch.uk
- Phone number
- 01264325637
Vision and Values
At JHCS, our vision is to inspire and empower our students, within a culture of care and belonging, to embrace opportunities to learn, succeed and become the best versions of themselves. This is underpinned by our strapline: Inspire. Care. Succeed.
Inspire: Students who leave John Hanson Community school will:
Be motivated to reach their academic and personal potential
Be proud of their achievements
Find their passion for knowledge
Care: All members of the John Hanson community will:
Feel cared for and safe
Show kindness and respect to themselves, each other and the environment
Develop a strong sense of belonging and service to the community
Succeed: We achieve success by:
Striving for excellence in all that we do
Learning from mistakes
Embracing opportunities
Ofsted
“John Hanson Community School continues to be a good school.” Ofsted, March 2024
“This is a very happy and inclusive school because staff have successfully created a caring and aspirational culture. They share a genuine belief that all pupils can fulfil their potential. Pupils follow a rich and broad curriculum which supports academic development. It is designed and delivered to nurture confidence and independence. Pupils rise to staff’s high expectations of them, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.” Ofsted, March 2024
“The school is very mindful of staff workload and of creating a positive and supportive working environment which puts pupils first. Staff recognise this and are proud to work at the school.” -Ofsted, March 2024
Location and History
John Hanson Community School is a thriving, mixed gender 11-16 community school in South West Andover, Hampshire, with almost 1000 students. The school has a rich history, dating back to 1582, and was previously known as Andover Free School and Andover Grammar School. In 1974 the school was renamed John Hanson School in honour of its founder, and moved to the current site on Floral Way in 2001.
Arranging a visit to John Hanson Community School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email recruitment@jhanson.hants.sch.uk.
School location
Similar jobs nearby
Teacher of English - Maternity cover
The Trafalgar School at Downton
Breamore Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP5 3HN
Get a job alert when similar jobs are listed
Find more school jobs in Hampshire