Head of English

The Hathershaw College, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL8 3EP

7 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  1 Jan 2027

• Closing date

  19 October 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  12 October 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher or lecturer
• 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 (Actual) MPS/UPS £32,916 - £51,048 + TLR 1F (£14,867) – This will mean that for an experienced candidate, there is an opportunity to earn up to £65,915.

Head of English job summary

Head of English (opportunity to earn up to £65,915)

Full time - Permanent

Start Date - 1st January 2027

Salary: MPS/UPS £32,916 - £51,048 + TLR 1F (£14,867) - This will mean that for an experienced candidate, there is an opportunity to earn up to £65,915.

The Role:

We are seeking an ambitious, dynamic and inspirational Head of English with exceptional knowledge of the curriculum and ability to lead a team to achieve excellent outcomes for learners.

This is an exciting opportunity to drive the strategic vision for English across KS3 and KS4, developing a love of literature and language in all our learners and working with an ambitious and motivated team who are committed to delivering an exceptional curriculum that leads to excellent academic outcomes.

This role is ideal for those with existing leadership experience in English perhaps as a lead teacher of English in the department. Whilst leadership qualifications are useful, they are not essential as we will invest in the successful candidate.

If you would like to discuss the role, please contact Susie Fraser, Principal, at s.fraser@pinnaclelt.ac.uk to arrange a call.

Hathershaw College

The Hathershaw College is a very successful and oversubscribed 11-16 Academy within the Pinnacle

Learning Trust. We are a good school with a group of very talented teachers and staff who set high standards and expectations for our children. We have a strong training and CPD programme (supported by The Pinnacle Learning Trust Research School), which offers opportunities to develop your skills.

We are inclusive and celebrate the diversity and uniqueness of everyone within the College. We care about our young people, with our first priority always being to make sure they are happy and safe so that they are able to learn.

You will see from our Ofsted report published in June 2026, under the new national inspection framework, that our school is recognised as welcoming and inclusive, with a strong culture of respect and high expectations. Inspectors judged the school to have met the Expected Standard in Attendance and Behaviour, Inclusion and Personal Development and Wellbeing, whilst confirming that the school meets the national expected safeguarding standard. The report highlights that “students behave well. Leaders have put in place clear routines… Learning typically continues without disruptions. Attitudes to learning are largely positive”. Inspectors also recognised our inclusive ethos, stating that” This is a community where students experience a positive sense of belonging”. These findings reflect the commitment of our staff, leaders and students to creating a calm, respectful and supportive learning environment, alongside our continued focus on securing the very best outcomes for all our young people. We encourage all prospective applicants to read the report before applying.

Our colleagues underpin our mission and values, sharing high expectations and collaborative opportunities through supportive networks. We care about each other and the real difference we can make to students’ futures, and we want to recruit staff who share our vision.

We are well located with good public transport links and excellent access to the motorway network.

You can get a feel for the passion we have at Hathershaw College through our website, but please do organise to come in and meet us in person. That’s the best way to get a sense of the dynamic and broad education that our students are enjoying and what your future at Hathershaw College can be.

Proud member of The Pinnacle Learning Trust

We are a locally focused, cross-phase Trust, with a rigorous culture of high aspirations and strong academic performance that will improve the life chances of our young people through an understanding of the communities we serve. Our academies provide high quality inclusive education and an ethos whereby our children and young people learn by example and grow morally and socially.

Our vision for our workforce is one in which diverse, dedicated, skilled and high-performing staff are operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment; enabling everyone to feel valued, respected and encouraged in order to contribute their best to support us in achieving our mission.

Our Trust invests in each member of staff, offering them professional development opportunities, as well as the opportunity to contribute to the development of others via our Research School. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging.

We are delighted to be the winners of the MAT Excellence Award for Wellbeing Trust of the Year 2025, and have been recognised by Edurio for a Trust Value Award in 2025 for the second year running. We offer various health and wellbeing benefits, including an Employee Assistance programme offering counselling, GP and nurse services, physiotherapy, etc.

Read our ‘Join the Pinnacle Learning Trust’ booklet to discover what our trust can offer you.

To apply, please visit our website: https://www.pinnaclelearningtrust.org.uk/Vacancies/

Advert Closing Date: 12 noon Monday 19 October 2026
Shortlisting Date: Tuesday 20 October 2026
Interview Date: Friday 23 October 2026

Commitment to Safeguarding

Hathershaw College is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, governors and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo pre-employment checks. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. The Pinnacle Learning Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes applications from underrepresented groups and ethnic minorities.

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 The Hathershaw College

• Organisation type: Academy, ages 11 to 16
• Education phase: Secondary school
• Size: 1034 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: The Hathershaw College website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-hathershaw-college

The Hathershaw College is a very successful and oversubscribed 11-16 Academy within the Pinnacle Learning Trust, which consists of ourselves, Oldham Sixth Form College and Werneth Primary School. We are also well located with good public transport links and excellent access to the motorway network.

Ofsted inspected the school in November/December 2021 and we have retained our good status. I would advise you to read the excellent report before applying.

“Pupils behave sensibly around the school and in lessons. They are respectful to other pupils, staff and visitors.”

“Staff value the steps that leaders have taken to ease their workload and support their well-being.”

Source: Ofsted report 2021

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