Head of English - Melbury College
Canterbury Campus and Lavender Campus, Morden, Surrey, SM4 6PT19 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 January 2027
Closing date
2 November 2026 at 9am
Date listed
14 October 2026
Job details
Job role
- Head of department or curriculum
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 1, Key stage 2, Key stage 3, Key stage 4
Subject
- English
Working pattern
- Full time: Full time - Monday to Friday
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- M1/UPS
Additional allowances
TLR 2.1, SEN 1(Subject to pay review)
What skills and experience we're looking for
Head of English – Melbury College
An exciting opportunity to inspire, innovate and make your mark across five specialist education settings.
Salary: MPS/UPS (Inner London) + TLR 2.1 + SEN 1 (subject to pay review)
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Location: Melbury College, London Borough of Merton
Closing date: 2nd November 2026 at 9am
Interviews: To be confirmed
Start date: January/April 2027
This is no ordinary Head of English role.
Are you an inspiring English teacher with the passion, creativity and ambition to make a real difference? Are you ready to take the next step in your leadership journey, or an experienced subject leader looking for a fresh and rewarding challenge?
At Melbury College, we are looking for an enthusiastic, forward-thinking and inspirational Head of English to lead and shape secondary English education across our five diverse specialist settings.
This is a unique opportunity to influence teaching and learning across our provision, working with talented and dedicated colleagues to develop an ambitious, inclusive and engaging English curriculum that meets the needs of young people with a wide range of abilities, experiences and educational pathways.
Our pupils may have experienced significant barriers to education, but we believe passionately that these should never limit their aspirations or potential.
We are looking for someone who shares that belief.
The opportunity
As Head of English, you will play a key strategic role in developing and strengthening English provision across Melrose, Whatley, Canterbury, Lavender and Worsfold House/Bespoke.
You will have the opportunity to:
- Shape and lead an ambitious, creative and inclusive secondary English curriculum across our specialist settings.
- Inspire and support colleagues, sharing expertise and developing consistently high-quality teaching.
- Champion literacy, reading and communication, helping young people develop the confidence and skills they need to succeed.
- Develop innovative approaches to engaging pupils with diverse needs, including SEND, SEMH and medical needs.
- Drive improvements in assessment, achievement and accreditation, recognising and celebrating progress from individual starting points.
- Work collaboratively with campus Headteachers and senior leaders to influence the future direction of English across Melbury College.
This is a role that combines strategic leadership with hands-on teaching, offering the opportunity to see the impact of your work directly in the classroom.
Why join Melbury College?
At Melbury, we know that exceptional education begins with exceptional people. We are proud of our welcoming, supportive and collaborative culture, where staff are encouraged to be creative, take initiative and develop professionally.
Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities
Melbury College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to appropriate safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check with children's barred list information and other pre-employment checks in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education.
Online searches may be undertaken on shortlisted candidates as part of our safer recruitment procedures.
Melbury College is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected and supported.
Early applications are encouraged, as Melbury College reserves the right to close the vacancy and appoint a suitable candidate at any stage of the recruitment process.
Melbury College – Building Relationships. Inspiring Resilience. Unlocking Potential.
What the school offers its staff
We offer:
- Small classes, big impact – typically 8–10 pupils, giving you the opportunity to build meaningful relationships and personalise learning.
- A genuinely rewarding role – make a lasting difference to young people who need educators who believe in their potential.
- A fantastic team around you – work alongside passionate, skilled and supportive colleagues who celebrate success together.
- Freedom to innovate – bring fresh ideas, creativity and ambition to a role where your leadership can make a real difference.
- Opportunities to grow – weekly CPD, a comprehensive induction programme and career development opportunities across Melbury College.
- A culture where staff matter – a strong commitment to staff wellbeing, inclusion and professional support.
- Practical benefits – including on-site parking and secure cycle storage.
Our ethos
Building Relationships. Inspiring Resilience. Unlocking Potential.
These are not simply words at Melbury College. They underpin everything we do.
Through our values of Respect, Courage, Determination, Kindness and Purpose, we create nurturing, ambitious and inclusive learning environments where every young person is encouraged to thrive.
We are looking for a Head of English who will embrace these values, inspire colleagues and champion the belief that every pupil can achieve.
Ready to make a difference?
Whether you are an experienced Head of English or an outstanding teacher ready to take your next step into subject leadership, we would love to hear from you.
If you are passionate about English, ambitious for every learner and excited by the opportunity to shape education across a diverse and dynamic provision, this could be the role for you.
For further information about the role, please download our recruitment pack and visit www.melbury.merton.sch.uk.
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
This job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Canterbury Campus and Lavender Campus
- Organisation type
- Local authority maintained school, ages 5 to 16
- Size
- 50 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 5 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- Email address
- lpattenden@melbury.merton.sch.uk
The role of Receptionist/Admin Assistant at a highly successful and respected medical and mental health needs Alternative Provision for young people in the borough of Merton CR4. We are looking to appoint a motivated Admin Assistant who will be fully trained in 'first day calling' and general admin duties . We need a calm and empathetic person to welcome people as they enter our building and support us in creating a positive environment for all
Lavender Campus provides education for all students in Merton who, because of medical and/or mental health needs are unable to attend school. The role will be based within provision, teaching year 9,10 and 11 students using Trauma Informed teaching strategies. Class sizes are small and our emphasis is on enabling our students to develop their independence and resilience through learning. We have high expectations of our students and this is reflected in our GCSE results.
Arranging a visit to Canterbury Campus and Lavender Campus
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email lpattenden@melbury.merton.sch.uk.
School location
Similar jobs nearby
Get a job alert when similar jobs are listed
Find more school jobs in Surrey