Head of English
Harris Garrard Academy, Erith, Kent, DA18 4DW7 days remaining to apply
Start date details
September
Closing date
12 May 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
5 May 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
Full-time equivalent salary
- £65,642 - £72,010
Pay scale
- L8-L12 (Outer London)
Additional allowances
Performance and Loyalty Bonus + Pension Scheme (TPS) + Harris Wellbeing Cash Plan + Additional Harris Benefits
What skills and experience we're looking for
We are currently looking to appoint a qualified, experienced teacher to join Harris Garrard Academy as Head of English to ensure high standards of teaching and learning across the subject area, continuously developing and enhancing the quality of teaching and learning.
We would like to hear from you if you:
- Hold QTS (or equivalent) and a good, relevant undergraduate degree.
- Are an excellent teacher with a minimum of three years' teaching experience.
- Have proven success in raising achievement.
- Have experience of leading others, ensuring high quality performance.
- Have successful experience in implementation of monitoring, evaluation and review process to improve the quality of teaching and learning.
- Demonstrate a high level of ICT skills and experience of how new technologies can be used to raise achievement.
- Have recent experience of involvement in innovative curriculum development.
- Have experience of presenting to a wide audience including teachers, other managers, students and parents.
- Have some successful experience of leading on cross subject initiatives that have contributed to raising achievement.
- Have experience of embedding innovative strategies for Assessment for Learning and Learning to Learn.
- Have recent and relevant experience of managing and implementing change successfully at subject leader level.
- Are willing to use coaching as a model for ensuring on-going professional development.
For a full job description and person specification, please download the Job Pack.
What the school offers its staff
Harris Garrard Academy is a new school with drive and ambition. Located in the wider South Thamesmead area, we cater to a vastly vibrant 3-19 aged student community. Accessible by fantastic rail and bus transport links and very soon to be on the opening leg of the Elizabeth Line, the academy's stunning working environment is within a purpose-built school designed by Norman Foster and nominated for the Stirling Prize for architecture in 2004.
We also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits.
Teacher Development
At Harris, we have curated professional development pathways that will guide you towards achieving your career ambitions. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. With a strong network of passionate educators, expert development initiatives and a multitude of opportunities for career progression, your journey with Harris could be the most rewarding one yet.
We offer a wide range of high quality teacher professional development programmes via the Harris Institute of Teaching and Leadership.
Benefits
In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance (usually £2,000 for Inner London and £1,500 for Outer London), a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Teachers Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan, Employee Assistance Programme, and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.
Flexible working opportunities
We are committed to fostering a positive and supportive working environment for our staff, recognising that achieving a balance between professional and personal responsibilities is essential. We understand that each individual's circumstances are unique, which is why we offer flexible working options that can be adapted to meet the needs of both the academy and our employees.
Further information about the job
The purpose of your role will be:
- To be accountable for student progress and development in the subject area across KS3, KS4 and post 16, including meeting student achievement targets for subject areas which are agreed by the Principal and the Governing Body.
- To ensure high standards of teaching and learning across the subject area through continuously, developing and enhancing the quality of teaching and learning.
- To ensure the provision of an appropriately broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum for students in the subject area, in accordance with the academy aims and policies, as determined by the Principal and Governing Body.
- To ensure that all school policies and procedures are implemented and applied consistently by all staff in the subject area.
- To ensure agreed tutor programme is implemented and that tutors are effective in their role.
- To ensure effective behaviour for learning is evident throughout department
- To effectively and efficiently manage and deploy teaching/support staff, financial and physical resources across the subject area.
- To support the development for literacy, through the school's strategy, within subject areas, to raise standards of Literacy across the Academy
Your main areas of responsibility will fall under the areas of:
- Operational and strategic planning (including rigorous self-evaluation and review of subject area performance, formulating the subject and department improvement plans, and leading the development of appropriate syllabuses, resources, schemes of work, marking policies, assessment and teaching strategies)
- Ensuring the delivery of an appropriate, comprehensive, high quality and cost effective curriculum and leading development of the subject and its delivery
- Staff development (including recruiting, building and managing an effective team of motivated staff)
- Student outcomes (including ensuring the effective operation of target setting, monitoring and evaluation systems and the input and maintenance of accurate student data)
- Pastoral system (including being a form tutor to a selected group of students)
- Teaching, including acting as an outstanding role model
Commitment to safeguarding
The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.
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 Harris Garrard Academy
- School type
- Academies, ages 4 to 18
- Education phase
- All through school
- School size
- 1538 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 4 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Harris Garrard Academy website
- Email address
- careers@harrisfederation.org.uk
- Phone number
- 0208 320 4800
Harris Garrard Academy is an all-through 3–18 academy with approximately 1350 pupils on roll and joined the Harris Federation as a sponsored academy in September 2017. The academy is based in Thamesmead in a purpose built building. We are now on a journey towards “Outstanding”, led by highly experienced executive principals with proven track records of school transformation. Our vision is clear: nothing is impossible and everything is possible, irrespective of personal characteristics or background. Every problem has a solution. We believe we are more robust, resilient and determined as a team than as a group of individuals. We support, challenge and hold each other to account at all levels within the academy to ensure that our students achieve their potential, are motivated, engaged and fully prepared for life beyond our academy.
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