We are looking for an experienced English teacher to lead a dynamic and successful department.

We are a large and diverse Department of sixteen highly qualified teachers, united by a collegial culture of shared expertise and resources. We foster academic excellence and a love of literature at every stage of our pupils’ learning, with particular emphasis on inspiring boys to read independently with enthusiasm and curiosity. Our teaching combines intelligent use of digital technologies with traditional methods, and every year group benefits from access to early editions and manuscripts in the College Archive.

ACADEMIC

• articulate a clear vision for the future of English at Eton and develop the strategy to realise this vision;
• monitor the quality of teaching and learning across the department;
• co-ordinate and evaluate the support for pupils applying for the subject courses at university;
• co-ordinate and evaluate the department’s approach to SEND;
• co-ordinate and evaluate the department’s approach to inclusion education;
• manage internal assessment processes;
• teach across the age and ability range, accommodating the most able, and those who find the subject challenging;
• ensure the best possible academic outcomes, by planning, preparing and delivering well-structured, and creative lessons which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils;
• assess, mark, record and report on the development and progress of pupils in line with the school’s assessment and reporting processes, ensuring challenging goals are set and achieved;
• provide timely, detailed and supportive feedback to pupils;
• ensure your subject knowledge and skills as a teacher are up-to-date;
• be expected to teach non-examined curricular subjects, including SPHERE (the College's PSHE programme);
• seek to develop your own professional practice;
• carry out administrative and other functions related to the smooth running of the department.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• lead a team of English teachers, working to develop and support colleagues both professionally and personally;
• be a highly visible presence around the department, attending a wide range of departmental and school events (including some evening and weekend work);
• develop the culture of openness in the school, including peer observation and learning walks within the department;
• liaise with senior management and HR over staffing issues and recruitment;
• make sure Health and Safety risk assessments are up to date and observed to protect both staff and pupils;
• manage the department’s physical space, including overseeing external bookings;
• manage the departmental budget.

CO-CURRICULAR

• contribute to the co-curricular life of the school;
• accompany students on visits away from the School, subject to risk assessment;
• actively contribute to the staff duty rota, such as supervising meal times and exam invigilating;
• contribute to the wider school social programme, including workshops, seminars, chapel services, competitions, trips, open days, and so on.

PASTORAL

• be committed to the safeguarding of all young people;
• manage behaviour effectively to ensure a positive and safe learning environment;
• treat pupils with dignity, building relationships rooted in mutual respect, and at all times observing proper boundaries appropriate to a teacher’s professional position;
• tutor up to twelve pupils, (typically in groups of six) taking an interest in their academic progress and well-being;
• assist on a regular basis in a boarding house, supporting the House Master and getting to know all the students.

LOOKING OUTWARDS

• ensure that there are effective and lively academic societies across the department;
• coordinate the department’s contribution to partnerships;
• establish contacts with universities;
• ensure that accurate information is provided for parents on departmental aims, methods and courses.

ABOUT YOU

You will:

• be a passionate advocate for your subject, committed to inspiring teaching;
• be able to communicate with, enthuse and motivate young people;
• be excited to join a high-achieving and reflective academic culture;
• have an outstanding record of academic engagement and achievement;
• be a positive, forward-looking and collaborative colleague;
• be excited to contribute whole-heartedly to all aspects of boarding school life;
• be committed to working within the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion;
• be committed to the safeguarding, welfare and wellbeing of young people;
• be committed to your own professional development, embracing innovations in teaching and learning, and open to a range of approaches in your professional practice.

LEADERSHIP CAPBILITIES

As Head of English, you will be someone who:

• is an inspirational educator with a clear vision;
• enjoys working with autonomy and taking personal responsibility, getting involved and coming up with creative solutions to problems;
• is unafraid to tackle difficult issues, but does so with tact and diplomacy and the desire to create win-win solutions;
• is flexible and organised and enjoys juggling competing priorities;
• is an outstanding communicator, with the ability and desire to engage a variety of people with different needs and priorities;
• has strong personal and people management skills including the ability to lead and inspire both teaching and non-teaching staff and the desire to bring together and develop a cohesive team.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• has a degree (2:1 or above) and/or a further degree in a directly-related subject;
• previous experience leading and managing a team.
• prior experience of managing a budget and working to agreed deadline.
• secure subject knowledge to underpin engaging lessons across the age and ability range.
• strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with a wide range of people.
• strong ICT skills.
• highly motivated and able to work independently as well as in teams.
• excellent oral and written communication skills.
• a teaching qualification is desirable but not essential.
• a strong sense of ownership and professional accountability with an understanding of when to consult and when to act.

Our staff are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level to senior leadership.

In addition to the opportunities for career progression, training and development, we also offer an
excellent remuneration and benefits package which includes free accommodation, a generous Pension Scheme, enhanced Maternity / Paternity scheme, free eyecare vouchers, a cycle to work scheme, subsidised lunches during term time, free or heavily discounted access to the College’s sport and leisure facilities which are currently being extensively upgraded and discount at local retailers and businesses.