Leader of Learning, English
Westhoughton High School, Bolton, Lancashire, BL5 3BZ11 days remaining to apply
Job start date
20 April 2026
Closing date
21 January 2026 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
9 January 2026
Job details
Job role
- Head of department or curriculum
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4
Subject
- English
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- L8 - L12
What skills and experience we're looking for
Westhoughton High School are looking to appoint, with effect from Monday 20th April 2026 an enthusiastic, talented and organised leader who would complement our existing strong English Team, as their Leader of Learning. The successful candidate will be joining a team who has a firm commitment to supporting and developing every child. We would love to strengthen our highly effective team with someone who will be a passionate and inspirational teacher and leader, and who can uphold our existing high standards and continue to drive the standards within the English Team.
This in an opportunity for an ambitious leader who is looking for rapid progression to senior leadership. The role will offer opportunities to develop senior leadership experience and contribute to priorities that extend beyond the English Department.
We expect to appoint someone who can:
- Lead effectively and drive improvement
- Show vision, clarity and strong communication skills
- Exemplify the values of our school in all that they do
- Show commitment to working as part of an established team with excellent interpersonal skills
- Show a passion to teach English and to instil passion in young people
- Show a record as a successful leader in bringing people with them
- Offer a diverse range of skills and talents
- Demonstrate a firm commitment to supporting and developing every child
- Build on our whole staff commitment to supporting the learning of our young people
- Be motivated, supportive and can invest in our shared, whole school values and future aspirations.
What the school offers its staff
Our school is a great place to work. We have high expectations of our staff but they are strongly supported; we place a large emphasis on CPD and also staff wellbeing. Our learning environment has been transformed over recent years and we have recently undertaken a significant building and improvements programme to reflect an increase in student population.
In return we offer:
- A committed, supportive and enthusiastic staff
- An SLT that has a clear sense of purpose, corporate vision and a clear desire to move the school forward
- Learners who expect and deserve the best from us all
- A commitment to professional development opportunities for all staff
- A focus on supporting and providing wellbeing opportunities for all staff.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Westhoughton High School is committed to safer recruitment practice, and pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and a barred list check. Westhoughton High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and it expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Upload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Westhoughton High School
- School type
- Local authority maintained school, ages 11 to 16
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1338 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Westhoughton High School website
- Email address
- ahodson@westhoughton-high.org
- Phone number
- 01942 814122
Westhoughton High School is an 11-16, mixed community comprehensive school situated close to the centre of the growing town of Westhoughton within Bolton Council’s boundaries.
We are proud to be the only secondary school in the town, serving our community by providing exciting educational opportunities and preparing the next generation for their various futures. The student population is largely made up of young people from Westhoughton itself, but students also attend from the neighbouring communities of Blackrod, Bolton, Atherton and Hindley.
Arranging a visit to Westhoughton High School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email ahodson@westhoughton-high.org.
School location
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