Head of English - #2183192

Head of English

Outstanding Independent School | North London

A chance to lead, shape a department and rediscover what you love about teaching.

• Location: North London
• Contract: Permanent, full-time
• Start: Preferably January 2027; alternative start date by agreement

What if you could spend more time doing what you actually love about teaching?

Smaller classes. Stronger relationships with pupils. The freedom to develop your subject and the opportunity to lead a department without the constant pressures and competing demands of a large secondary school.
That's the opportunity here.

LTE Search is working exclusively with an outstanding independent school in North London to appoint a Head of English. This is an opportunity for an ambitious English specialist to take ownership of a small department, shape the curriculum and play an important role in the continued development of an already successful school.

The school supports academically able young people aged 11–19, many of whom are neurodivergent and have found the demands of mainstream education difficult to navigate. It offers a different kind of environment: nurturing and therapeutic, with strong relationships and individual attention at the heart of its approach.

Importantly, academic ambition remains high. Pupils are supported to achieve, develop independence and work towards meaningful qualifications.

This isn't about lowering expectations. It's about creating the right environment for young people to achieve them.

The Role

You'll lead English across KS3 and KS4, teaching GCSE English Language and Literature while working closely with another teacher and a small team of teaching assistants.

This is a hands-on leadership position, with genuine scope to develop the curriculum, introduce new ideas and influence how English is taught across the school. You'll also lead PSHE, helping pupils develop the confidence, understanding and wider skills they need beyond the classroom.

It's a chance to combine your passion for the subject with the opportunity to lead, mentor and make a visible difference – without the demands of managing a large department.

Why Consider It?

• Make the department your own: Take genuine ownership of English and shape its future direction.
• Get back to the teaching: Smaller classes give you more opportunity to engage pupils and focus on learning.
• Have room to innovate: Develop the curriculum, try new approaches and see the impact of your ideas.
• Lead without the layers: Enjoy meaningful leadership responsibility in a small, collaborative team.
• Make a real difference: Help academically able young people build confidence and achieve their potential.

Who We're Looking For We're keen to hear from experienced English teachers and current Heads of Department who are ready for a different kind of opportunity.

You'll bring:

• Strong secondary English teaching experience across KS3 and KS4.
• Confidence teaching GCSE English Language and Literature.
• A passion for curriculum development and improving teaching and learning.
• The ability to lead, support and work collaboratively with another teacher.
• A thoughtful and adaptable approach to helping young people achieve.

QTS is essential. Experience in specialist education, SEND or supporting neurodivergent learners would be welcome, but it isn't a requirement. We're equally interested in excellent mainstream teachers who can bring their subject expertise and experience into a different environment.

The School & Opportunity

This is a school where teachers have the opportunity to know their pupils properly, understand how they learn and adapt their teaching accordingly. Small teaching groups and a personalised approach create the conditions for strong relationships and meaningful progress.

The school combines a nurturing, therapeutic ethos with an academically ambitious curriculum. It's a setting where pupils are encouraged to aim high, while receiving the individual support they need to get there.

For the successful candidate, there's real scope to shape the English department, influence the wider curriculum and help pupils develop the literacy, confidence and academic skills that will stay with them.

If you've reached a point in your career where you'd like to focus more on teaching, have greater influence over your subject and work in an environment where relationships really matter, this is well worth exploring.

Apply Now

If you're an experienced English teacher with the ambition to lead and develop a small department, we'd be very pleased to hear from you.

Whether you're currently leading English in a mainstream school or working within specialist education, this could be an excellent next step.

Apply with your CV and a member of the LTE Search team will be in touch to discuss the school and opportunity in confidence.

Please note: Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK. This role is unable to offer sponsorship.