Head of English

Silverdale School, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S11 9QH

16 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026

• Closing date

  10 May 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  24 April 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Subject: English
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £32,916.00 - £51,048.00 Annually (FTE) M1 - UPS3

Head of English job summary

We are seeking to appoint an outstanding and compassionate Head of English who is passionate about the power of language, literature and learning. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and reflective leader to guide a successful department, inspire a love of English across the school and support colleagues to deliver consistently excellent teaching.

The successful candidate will lead the strategic direction of English at Silverdale, ensuring a high-quality, ambitious curriculum that enables all students to achieve and develop a lifelong appreciation of reading, writing and communication. They will work collaboratively with colleagues to develop evidence-informed teaching practice, support professional growth within the department and contribute to whole-school improvement.

As a middle leader at Silverdale, the post holder will play a key role in leading with compassion, integrity and clarity of purpose. Leadership here is rooted in the understanding that we lead people first, creating a culture built on trust, respect and high expectations. The role requires a consistent and honest approach to decision-making, underpinned by clear communication and professional accountability. The successful candidate will be innovative in their thinking, open to evidence-informed practice and willing to challenge existing approaches where this improves outcomes for students. Above all, they will be a visible and supportive leader who empowers others, models the school’s values and contributes positively to the wider leadership of the school.

The English department is central to the success of the school, and this role presents an opportunity to shape curriculum, pedagogy and enrichment in a way that ensures all students can flourish academically and personally. The successful candidate will be committed to fostering a culture of high expectations, strong relationships and a shared belief that every student can succeed.

Silverdale School is a highly successful and oversubscribed school, recently recognised as one of the top ten northern schools in The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026. Student behaviour is excellent, and staff benefit from a positive, collegiate culture built on teamwork, professional trust and high expectations. Silverdale is a fantastic place to teach, grow and develop, where staff are supported to be the very best they can be and where teaching is truly valued.

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 Silverdale School

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1451 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Silverdale School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/silverdale-school-sheffield

Silverdale School is an extremely popular and high-achieving 11-18 comprehensive in the south west of Sheffield and is now the founding school of Chorus Education Trust. The school achieved the best GCSE results in 2018 of any state school in Sheffield. At Post 16 the progress students make places Silverdale in the top 10% of schools nationally. At its heart is one of the country’s largest Teaching Schools, the Sheffield Teaching School Alliance. Silverdale moved into a brand new building in January 2009 with a full complement of facilities. Silverdale School is part of Chorus Education Trust, and as such all appointees may be required to work at any Trust site in the future.

School location

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