Head of English

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and ambitious English teacher to shape the future direction of English at one of Scotland’s leading independent schools.

The successful candidate will provide academic and professional leadership for English across S1–S6, including National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher. They will be an excellent classroom practitioner with a genuine passion for English language and literature, committed to maintaining the highest academic standards while inspiring in pupils a love of reading, writing, critical thinking and communication.

Main Responsibilities:

• Develop the School’s reputation for excellence in English and continue to embed this reputation by actively participating in the promotion of the School e.g., Open Days, marketing activity, and informal promotion to those outside the School.
• Enhance the standing of the Department within the School and continue to embed English within the academic, intellectual and cultural life of the School.
• Play a full role in ensuring good pupil discipline in the School and in the English Department.
• Contribute to the School Improvement Plan, implement improvements to processes and activities, and encourage others to do the same.
• Participate in school cover as required.
• Support the admissions office of the school in the assessment of S1 and intermediate entrants.
• Support the wider life of the School, and in particular co-curricular activities, by attending events, providing management help, and encouraging participation.

• Lead and promote the vision for English at Hutchesons’ Grammar School and advise senior managers on developments in English as an academic subject.
• Lead and oversee the teaching of all curriculum English within the School from S1 to S6, including National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.
• Lead regular, purposeful and appropriately recorded meetings of English staff.
• Ensure that Schemes of Work are up to date in the light of new developments in the subject, pedagogy, assessment, digital technology and artificial intelligence, and the demands of national examinations.
• Manage the departmental budget, ensuring resources are used efficiently and effectively, including:
• Working collaboratively with Finance to agree an annual budget.
• Ensuring departmental expenditure throughout the academic year is in line with the agreed annual budget.
• Seeking approval for unbudgeted expenditure.
• Attending budget and cost review meetings as requested by Finance.

Line Management of Staff

• Support teachers who teach English, ensuring Schemes of Work are followed and that appropriate standards are maintained through the provision of CPD, departmental discussion, the agreement of guidelines, and maintaining high standards in teaching, learning and assessment.
• Oversee the professional development of the Department’s staff, including updating subject expertise, providing development opportunities in terms of their professional role and career aspirations, and participating in the School’s PRD process.
• Encourage and support colleagues to create and share high-quality teaching resources.
• Hold regular departmental meetings to discuss departmental matters and ensure that the Department works effectively as a team.
• Support Probation Teachers and new colleagues in their roles as they develop their knowledge and skills as practitioners.
• Select, order, and manage teaching materials and resources necessary to facilitate pupil learning.
• Take responsibility for Health and Safety policies and practices within the departmental area.
• Ensure the quality of teaching, learning and assessment is consistent and appropriate to the needs of pupils through lesson observation and other relevant methods, adhering to the relevant School policies.
• Manage employee relations issues within the Department, keeping senior managers informed of any issues that may arise as appropriate.
• Monitor the homework and marking policy.
• Oversee the internal assessment and tracking of pupils and establish a common approach to task work within School policy.
• Ensure the quality of reporting home from the English Department is of the highest standard.
• Prep…