Head of English

Oxted School is a large and vibrant school which seeks to ‘Bring out the Best’ in all members of our learning community: students and staff. Established in 1929 with just 22 students, Oxted has grown to almost 2000 students in years 7 through to 13. Our size is one of our great strengths, and students benefit from a broad curriculum and a wealth of enrichment activities.

We are immensely proud of our comprehensive profile, and we celebrate students from all backgrounds, religions, and abilities. This is highlighted by our centre for visually impaired students, which empowers blind and partially sighted students to access a mainstream curriculum and socialise in a friendly and safe environment with their peers. Students from Oxted will go on to thrive in a range of destinations: from apprenticeships with local businesses to degrees at Russell Group Universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. Our careers provision, including ‘Future Friday’ talks from alumni, is outstanding.

We are a caring school with an academic edge, and students at Oxted are well looked after and respect one another. Our close sense of community is fostered through the traditions of a school approaching its 90th year: most significantly through the House system which provides a framework for competition and celebrations of success across the school. Effective tutoring allows teachers to build strong relationships with their students, and work with them over 7 years as they develop from children into young adults, ready to contribute to society.

The development of leadership is pivotal in the education of our young people, and opportunities are provided throughout a student’s time with us. A sense of adventure is instilled in all our students through our Duke of Edinburgh programme which is amongst the largest in the country.

The school has excellent sporting facilities including a heated outdoor swimming pool available for staff use. We have recently achieved the Gold Artsmark award, and value vocational subjects alongside a traditional academic curriculum.

Teaching at Oxted is hugely fulfilling, and many of our teachers work with the Sixth Form as well as the lower school. Staff are encouraged to become fully immersed in the broader life of the school, whether that is raising money for charity, attending the Y8 camp, or supporting the School Show. We keep a keen eye on work-life balance through our Wellbeing Programme, and there are regular social events for staff.

Oxted School is proud to be part of the Howard Partnership Trust: a high performing multi-academy trust with inclusive values and support for school improvement at its core. Consequently we benefit from working closely with colleagues from other Surrey Schools to raise standards for all of our students.