Head of English

King Edward VII Academy, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 2QB

36 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026

• Closing date

  27 February 2026 at 12am (midnight)

• Date listed

  21 January 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher
  • Head of department or curriculum
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Subject: English
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: Salary: Leadership Pay Scale Point 11 (£66,368 per annum)

Head of English job summary

Salary: Leadership Pay Scale Point 11 (£66,368 per annum)

Start Date: September 2026

King Edward VII Academy is seeking an inspiring, innovative and dedicated Head of English; a leader who shares our belief that all pupils have the right to succeed and have access to the very best education.

The successful candidate must have a commitment to changing lives and outcomes for young people. You should come with an existing track record of effectiveness but be keen to develop further as a member of the wider leadership team.

This key role will give you the opportunity to work with senior leaders and the subject team on curriculum development and play an important part in creating a department that aims to set the standard nationally. You will have a willingness to work with the wider Inspiration Trust team to deliver an exceptional knowledge rich curriculum.

What You’ll Be Doing

• To be a role model to the department.
• To lead on the development of new ways of thinking about the curriculum and teaching and learning to develop student expertise in the subject.
• To lead the key subject areas in understanding and developing high quality and innovative provision within a world-class curriculum and excellent teaching.
• Maintain professional conduct and actively engage in performance management and professional development activities.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues, external agencies, and the Senior Leadership Team.
• Participate in meetings, quality assurance processes, and school events outside normal hours.
• Promote and uphold the Trust and Academy’s ethos, policies, procedures, and Health & Safety standards.
• Ensure pupil safeguarding, welfare, attendance, punctuality, and behaviour are monitored and supported.
• Teach the curriculum, prepare pupils for examinations, and provide additional support such as interventions and revision lessons.
• Plan collaboratively, set homework, adapt teaching for SEND/EAL students, and maintain high standards of pupil work.
• Assess pupil progress, evaluate teaching approaches, and provide reports and references to support pupil development.
• Actively contribute to school life, including enrichment activities and departmental discussions on teaching methods.

About You

You will be a leader who shares our belief that all pupils have the right to succeed and have access to the very best education. The successful candidate must have a commitment to changing lives and outcomes for young people. You should come with an existing track record of effectiveness but be keen to develop further as a member of the wider leadership team.

Essential:

• An appropriate degree and other qualifications required for the award of QTS.
• Qualified Teacher Status (trainees should be on track to achieve QTS before taking up the post).
• Successful subject experience as a teacher and manager in education in a secondary school.
• Successful involvement in performance management, self-evaluation process and data analysis as an aid in personal and team improvement, development and change.
• Proven practice in leading, motivating and supporting staff to achieve high standards.
• Knowledge of the statutory requirements concerning Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety, SEND and Child Protection.
• Ability to communicate effectively and build positive relationships with students, parents, colleagues, and the wider community.
• Knowledge and understanding of the subject to at least undergraduate degree level and different teaching approaches.
• Experience of teaching the subject in a secondary school across the 11-16 age range.

Desirable:

• Other relevant qualifications in the sector (e.g. NPQML, MEd, etc.).
• Existing curriculum or pastoral leadership experience (e.g. second in department).
• Teaching post-16 courses and supporting pupils with university admissions and careers.
• Experience examining the subject for an appropriate exam board.
• Experience mentoring and coaching trainee and early-career teachers.

Why Join Inspiration Trust

At Inspiration Trust, we believe in the power of education to transform lives. You’ll be joining a supportive, forward-thinking organisation that values professional development, collaboration, and innovation. We provide opportunities for growth and empower you to make a real impact in schools across Norfolk and north Suffolk. As part of our thriving network of talented teachers, leaders, and support staff, you’ll receive a varied professional development programme designed to help you be the best you can be.

We offer:

• Generous annual leave, and access to the Teachers' Pension Schemes (TPS) with excellent employer contributions
• Health Plan and Employee Assistance Programme, including 24/7 virtual GP access, mental health support and claim-back options for healthcare costs *
• Cycle-to-work scheme, retail and theatre discounts (including discounted shopping vouchers, dentist and gym memberships), and salary sacrifice options (including home technology). *
• Free parking at most sites
• Personalised CPD and development programmes
• A structured and specific induction programme.

* Terms and conditions apply. Some benefits are only available following successfully passing probation.

About Us

King Edward VII Academy is a large, diverse, and comprehensive 11-18 school with a rich and prestigious history. Thousands of students have walked the halls of this magnificent building, all in pursuit of the excellence that the academy continues to strive for today.

In October 2024, Ofsted rated King Edward VII Academy and Sixth Form as Good overall, recognising the rapid positive changes across the school. Inspectors highlighted the academy’s ambition and high standards: "The school expects high standards of pupils’ work and behaviour. It reminds pupils that every minute counts in meeting these standards. Pupils are rising to this challenge. They know that they attend an inclusive school that has improved rapidly. In the past, academic outcomes have been low. Now, however, the sense of ambition is abundantly clear. Lessons are engaging and focused. Pupils learn well."

The report also praised the school’s curriculum and teaching: "The school’s curriculum is ambitious and ensures that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) access learning alongside their peers. The curriculum sets out what pupils will learn and the order in which it is taught. High-quality training and support from the Trust have led to precise teaching. Teachers use their strong subject knowledge to present new concepts clearly. Staff are invested in the school and the community. They feel well supported by leaders who manage their workload with sensitivity. They want the very best for pupils and are proud to work at the school."

King Edward VII Academy is calm, orderly, and purposeful. Its culture is built around high expectations and consistent structures and routines, enabling teachers to focus on their subjects with expertise and passion.

We are part of the Inspiration Trust, twice ranked as the country’s top family of comprehensive schools for pupil progress, and strongly believe in the importance of giving the widest educational opportunities to all young people, regardless of their background. We have strong networks across the Trust, with opportunities to work with a diverse range of schools and partners. We are committed to offering excellent professional and learning opportunities for our staff, with a busy programme of continuing professional development courses delivered by some of the country’s best educational thinkers and practitioners.

The Inspiration Trust is a Multi Academy Trust, committed to delivering the very best educational experience for the young people of Norfolk and Suffolk, across 17 schools. We are ambitious for our schools and communities and want to create Britain’s highest performing federation of 3-19 schools and transform education in the East. Inspiration Trust specialises in transforming schools in disadvantaged areas and taking academies from failing to outstanding.

For information on what it is like to live and work in Kings Lynn click here.

Next Steps

Before applying, please read the attached Recruitment Pack and Job Description, for more details about the role. We ask that you read this pack carefully, especially the “Planning your application” section from page 11. This will support your application ensuring you have the opportunity to tell us about your relevant skills, experience and qualifications that relate to the job description and person specification in addition to details of your references covering the last 5 years.

If you would like to know more about this exciting opportunity, then please contact Joanne Wiseman, PA to Principal (joannewiseman@inspirationtrust.org).

To apply for this role please click the Apply button to complete the online application form.

When you start your application, you will receive several emails from our application provider, Vacancy Filler. Please be aware that some email providers may mistakenly mark these messages as spam. To avoid missing important updates, we recommend checking your spam or junk folders regularly throughout the application process and marking these emails as safe.

Closing date for applications: 12pm on Friday 27th February 2026

Interview date: Week commencing 9th March 2026

Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities

Inspiration Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All staff appointments are subject to satisfactory references and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks. We are an equal opportunities employer.

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

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 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 King Edward VII Academy

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1181 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: King Edward VII Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/king-edward-vii-academy

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