Head of English

Hull

Working Hours: 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year

Salary: £45,120 per annum

Annual Leave: 42 days per annum (excluding bank holidays and up to 3 additional discretionary days over the Christmas/New Year period)

As our Head of English, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for English provision across all learner groups, including 16–19 study programmes, apprenticeships, adult provision, GCSE resits, Functional Skills, SEND, 14–16 provision and vocationally contextualised delivery. You will lead rapid and sustained improvement in learner outcomes, attendance, progress, learner confidence and the overall quality of education in English.

The post holder will work collaboratively across all curriculum areas to strengthen literacy, communication and oracy across the College, ensuring English is embedded meaningfully within vocational, technical and academic learning. They will champion a culture of high expectations, literacy excellence, inclusion and professional accountability, ensuring learners develop the communication, literacy and critical thinking skills needed to succeed in education, employment and modern society.

Hull College provides high-quality education & training for school leavers & adults, offering a wide range of vocational study programmes, Apprenticeships & degrees.

As one of the largest vocational institutes of its kind in the region, we have one focus - to create careers, not courses. We pride ourselves on this approach & are committed to ensuring our learners acquire the relevant skills, knowledge, attitudes & experience to progress in life, whether that is to seek employment in the industry of their choice or step up to higher education & university.

While dedicated to delivering the very best experiences to our learners, we also extend the same commitment to our staff. We have worked hard to create an environment where all of our staff, no matter what their role, are empowered to inspire & support our vision to create better futures for the people of Hull.

Responsibilities of our Head of English:

• Lead the strategic development and improvement of English across Hull College; ensuring English teaching is engaging, inclusive, challenging and appropriately differentiated to meet the needs of diverse learners
• Actively contribute to wider College improvement priorities and cross-college curriculum development activity; ensuring effective curriculum planning, standardisation, assessment and internal quality assurance processes
• Develop and implement an ambitious vision for English that aligns with the College’s strategic priorities and quality improvement agenda; driving sustained improvements in attendance, progress, achievement, high grades and learner destinations across all English provision
• Work closely with curriculum leaders, SEND teams, safeguarding staff and pastoral services to support learner success; working collaboratively with curriculum leaders to strengthen literacy, reading, writing and communication skills across all curriculum areas
• Support the development of contextualised English and Literacy within vocational and technical curriculum areas
• Drive innovation in pedagogy, including the effective use of digital technologies, AI-supported tools and adaptive learning platforms; supporting the development of modern pedagogical approaches that reflect the future of education and employment
• Monitor and analyse performance data to identify strengths, risks, trends and areas for intervention; leading rapid and targeted interventions to improve retention, achievement and progress to at least parallel national levels
• Lead departmental CPD and contribute to wider staff development activity across the College; developing a high-performing team of English teachers, vocational teachers who deliver applied English, and support staff
• Lead robust quality assurance activity including lesson visits, learning walks, work scrutiny, standardisation and performance reviews; ensuring compliance with awarding body, funding and regulatory requirements
• Promote a culture where literacy, communication and language are recognised as essential foundations for life, work and progression; developing a culture of evidence-informed practice, high expectations and continuous professional improvement

What we’re looking for in our Head of English:

• Degree in English or related subject
• Recognised Teaching Qualification
• Successful experience teaching GCSE and/or Functional Skills English in FE or secondary education
• Experience of leading or managing curriculum provision
• Experience of line management
• Proven track record of improving learner outcomes
• Experience of leading quality improvement
• Strong understanding of English pedagogy and curriculum design
• Experience of supporting staff development and coaching
• Understanding of FE funding, inspection and accountability frameworks
• Strong data analysis and intervention planning skills
• Ability to lead change in a complex organisation

Desirable:

• Leadership qualification
• Experience of contextualised or vocational English delivery
• Experience of digital innovation or AI-supported teaching approaches
• Experience across multiple learner groups including adults, apprenticeships or SEND

If you have the skills and experience, we are looking for and would like to join us as our Head of English please click ‘Apply’ now, we’d love to hear from you!

Hull College is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All colleagues are expected to contribute to the delivery of their safeguarding strategy and values. In addition, these posts require the colleague to undertake an enhanced disclosure check by the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Please note that this post is subject to regulated activity.

We at Hull College prioritise digital proficiency; all new staff should either be skilled or open to training, looking forward to hearing from you on the last point.

Please be aware that this vacancy may close earlier dependent on the level of applications received so if you do wish to be considered we recommend that you complete the application as promptly as possible.