Head of English

The Burgate School and Sixth Form, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6 1EZ

20 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026

• Closing date

  23 February 2026 at 8am

• Date listed

  3 February 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Head of department or curriculum
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £32,916.00 - £51,047.00 Annually (FTE) + TLR 1b (£12,499)

Head of English job summary

The Role

We are looking for a dynamic, ambitious and energetic leader who can motivate and inspire students across all Key Stages, to join our well established English Department.

This is an excellent opportunity for a dedicated English specialist who is ready to take the next step in their career. We are seeking a talented practitioner who can deliver and inspire consistently high quality teaching across the ability range and who is passionate about leading a thriving subject area.

You will be joining a friendly, supportive and forward thinking school community, which was once again judged ‘Good with Outstanding features’. by Ofsted in November 2024. This role offers the chance to make a meaningful impact on our students’ progress and to contribute to the continued development of our successful English department.

As our new Head of English, you will:

• Lead with ambition - guiding a skilled team to deliver a rigorous and engaging curriculum across all key stages, ensuring every student is challenged and supported.
• Raise achievement - using data informed strategies, high quality teaching and innovative pedagogy to secure excellent progress and outcomes.
• Inspire a love of English - creating a vibrant culture where students explore diverse texts, develop strong analytical thinking, and grow as confident, articulate communicators.
• Drive departmental excellence - shaping curriculum design, leading professional development, and promoting consistent, evidence based practices.
• Contribute to whole school success - playing a key role in the wider team and modelling professional integrity and enthusiasm.

We’re looking for someone who is:

• A dedicated subject expert with strong experience throughout KS3-KS5
• A strategic leader who can motivate, and develop a team
• A reflective practitioner committed to continual improvement
• An inspiring classroom teacher with a passion for English
• Skilled in raising standards and driving positive change

In return, we offer:

• A flexible approach to curriculum design
• A supportive school community with friendly, enthusiastic and caring colleagues
• CPD and career opportunities for staff at every stage of their career
• A collaborative working environment within a strong support network
• Curious and ambitious students who are inspired to collaborate, explore and question
• Laptop for every member of teaching staff
• A school with fantastic grounds on the edge of the New Forest
• Electric vehicle charging points
• Cycle to work scheme

If you are excited by the opportunity to lead a forward-thinking English department and make a real impact on young people’s lives, we would love to hear from you.

Safeguarding Statement

The Burgate School and Sixth Form is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. We will ensure that all recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. Please ensure a full work history is completed in your application form including any gaps in employments. This role involves directly working with children and any offer of a role will be conditional subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Check as well as all other relevant safeguarding/pre-employment checks including the receipt of satisfactory references and medical clearance.

We will also conduct an individual online search on any successful candidates, as part of our due diligence in line with the DfE's 'Keeping Children Safe in Education'. This may help to identify any incidents or issues that have happened, which might potentially impact your ability to carry out the role and are publicly available online. Any concerns arising from the search will be discussed directly with you.

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

The Burgate School & Sixth Form is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. Any offer of a post will be conditional subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Check as well as all other relevant safeguarding/pre-employment checks including the receipt of satisfactory references and medical clearance.

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 The Burgate School and Sixth Form

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1098 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: The Burgate School and Sixth Form website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-burgate-school-and-sixth-form

The Burgate School and Sixth Form converted to a Single Academy Trust in May 2011. We are a popular, Hampshire school, situated in expansive grounds on the outskirts of Fordingbridge in Hampshire, providing high quality comprehensive education for children aged between 11 and 18. We enjoy an excellent reputation within the local community for our high standards.

We offer a broad curriculum covering a wide range of subjects at GCSE and A Level which are delivered by a highly qualified and caring team of professional teachers and support staff who are committed to offering the highest quality of education to the students alongside a creative approach to learning that inspires curiosity, builds collaboration, helps develop resilience and encourages flexibility of thought.

Our school vision is that we want every child to enjoy their learning and feel valued for who they are. We believe that Every Burgate Child Matters and we recognise all of our students as individuals, encouraging each to reach their full potential. We have high aspirations for every student and are committed to raising standards of achievement and nurturing a culture of high expectations to drive success for each student in a safe, supportive and friendly environment. We want to support our students in becoming independent learners, as well as confident and responsible young people thereby achieving our motto of Learning for Life.

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