Temporary Head of English, Maternity Cover
Full-Time, February 2027 (one year)
Broomwood Prep – Girls
The Head of English is responsible for maintaining and promoting excellence in English across Years 5-8, ensuring that all pupils are happy, hardworking and make strong academic progress. Working within the school’s established strategic framework, the postholder will provide day-to-day leadership of the department, support colleagues, oversee pupil progress and ensure continuity of provision during the maternity cover period.
The Head of English will foster a culture of academic ambition, intellectual curiosity and high expectations, while ensuring that the emotional wellbeing and individual needs of every pupil remain at the heart of the department’s work. They will lead and support colleagues, monitor pupil progress, and work collaboratively with the Head of English at Broomwood Boys and Pre-Prep staff to ensure alignment, sharing of best practice and curriculum continuity across the schools.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership and Management
Lead, manage and develop the English Department across Years 5-8.
Support the delivery of the school’s established vision and strategic priorities for English.
Monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching and learning within the department, supporting colleagues to deliver consistently excellent practice.
Lead departmental meetings and contribute to whole-school academic leadership initiatives.
Support, coach and mentor members of the department, fostering professional growth and collaboration.
Oversee curriculum planning, assessment and standards within the department, ensuring consistency and progression.
Manage departmental resources and budgets effectively.
Analyse departmental data and pupil outcomes to identify strengths, priorities and areasnips for improvement.
Work closely and collaboratively with the Head of English at Broomwood Boys to align curriculum development, assessment practices, enrichment opportunities and departmental initiatives where appropriate.
Promote English throughout the school through competitions, events, author visits, workshops and enrichment activities.
Teaching and Learning
Demonstrate expert knowledge of the KS2 and KS3 English curriculum and current educational best practice.
Teach English across Years 5-8 to a consistently high standard.
Help prepare pupils for external examinations, including 11+ and 13+ assessments and scholarship pathways where appropriate.
Lead the development and regular review of schemes of work, ensuring they are ambitious, engaging and appropriately challenging.
Ensure progression in reading, writing, SPAG, speaking and listening across all year groups.
Support colleagues in delivering high-quality lessons through collaborative planning and the sharing of best practice.
Plan and teach well-structured lessons that make effective use of resources and technology.
Adapt teaching to meet the strengths and needs of all pupils through effective differentiation.
Ensure skills progression frameworks and curriculum forecasts are implemented consistently across the department.
Manage behaviour effectively to create a positive, purposeful and safe learning environment.
Promote cross-curricular links and meaningful opportunities for pupils to apply literacy skills across the curriculum.
Guide pupils to reflect on their progress and next steps through self-assessment, peer feedback and teacher feedback.
Assessment and Pupil Progress
Oversee the effective implementation of the school’s established assessment practices within the department.
Monitor and analyse pupil progress across all year groups and classes.
Use assessment data to identify trends, celebrate success and address areas of underachievement.
Ensure that pupils requiring additional challenge or support are identified promptly and appropriate interventions are implemented.
Make accurate and productive use of formative and summative assessment.
Use digital testing data and summative data alongside teacher judgement to inform planning and evaluate pupil progress.
Ensure assessment records are maintained accurately
Promote high-quality feedback practices across the department.
Oversee the quality of pupil reports and ensure communication with parents is personalised, accurate and constructive.
Prepare departmental analysis and reports as requested by senior leaders.
Pastoral Expectations
Demonstrate consistently the positive attitudes, values and behaviours expected of pupils.
Be vigilant regarding safeguarding, child protection and health and safety, following school procedures at all times.
Ensure pupil concerns are shared promptly with relevant colleagues.
Build positive relationships with pupils and families, supporting both academic success and personal development.
Act as a role model for pupils and staff, promoting the school’s values and ethos.
Make a positive contribution to the wider life of the school through assemblies, performances, trips, residential visits, clubs, competitions and other co-curricular activities.
Attend and contribute to parents’ evenings, curriculum events and other school functions.
Undertake form tutor responsibilities if required.
Professional Development:
Keep up to date with developments in English teaching and best practices.
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