Head of Department - English

About the role: Are you a passionate and experienced practitioner with a proven track record of success?  Are you keen to secure a Head of Department position within a highly successful academy?

Hayesbrook Academy has an exciting opportunity for an experienced and motivated Head of Department - English to join their collaborative department, starting in April 2022. This is an ideal role for those looking to broaden their current leadership experience. We are seeking the successful candidate to bring drive, ambition and a forward-thinking mentality with them.  Due to the nature of responsibility for this position we are able to offer  TLR 1 (£10,203) for the right candidate and the experience you will bring which can be discussed during the interview stage. ​​​​​​​

​​​​​​​The Head of English will lead a strong department, building on its existing success. Exciting times are ahead for Hayesbrook Academy with plans to become Co-educational in 2023 and our ideal candidate will also have the responsibility of leading the department towards IB verification. 

Our successful candidate will receive:

• A salary commensurate with the profile of the post.
• A range of professional development opportunities. 
• Opportunity to work laterally across a number of Leigh Academies Trust schools to benchmark best practice and to be involved in teaching and learning innovation

We’re keen to hear from you if you are:

• An excellent teacher with a record of excellent outcomes.
• Collaborative, building strong professional relationships.
• Able to motivate and inspire students and staff to achieve their full potential.
• Energetic and have a ‘can-do’ attitude.
• Someone who has a measurable impact as an individual teacher and throughout the school.
• Committed to the happiness and wellbeing of everyone at the school.

This is a permanent, full time position, offering MPS/UPS + TLR 1.​​​​​​​

Joining us at Hayesbrook Academy: Hayesbrook Academy first opened in 1964. Having always been an all-boys school, our history before then is closely linked to the old Sussex Road Boys School, where records go back to the early 1900’s, and so we have a strong tradition of education provision in Tonbridge. The modern day academy has always been an 11-18 comprehensive school with a mixed sixth form, serving the local community.

Since being the first school in West Kent to gain Academy Status in 2010, the academy led the way in achieving excellent standards and in creating a multi-academy Trust. We were graded ‘Excellent’ by Ofsted in 2005, 2008 and 2009. The academic success and high standards have continued and inspections in 2013 and again in 2017 found the school to be ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ features and praised for its leadership and continued commitment to improvement of educational standards as well as students’ achievement.

Hayesbrook Academy grows, adapts and thrives with each new cohort of students that are welcomed here every September and our recent move to Leigh Academies Trust has strengthened the academy’s ability to deliver the very best for our pupils.​​​​​​​

​​​​​​​Being part of Leigh Academies Trust: As of 1st September 2021, our Trust comprises 31 geographically organised academies (15 secondaries, 14 primaries and 2 special) educating 20,000 students, and employing over 2,500 talented staff. The Trust is establishing four ‘clusters’ of academies: North West Kent; Central Kent; South East London; Medway. In addition, the Trust is responsible for one of the region’s biggest initial teaching training organisations, a large teaching school hub and is an accredited apprenticeship provider. Click here to view our future plans in our Vision 2025 document. 

As part of Leigh Academies Trust you will have ample opportunity to collaborate with your peers both within the academy and across the whole Trust. This is an important part of our vision as we know through experience that we perform better when we work together. You are supported to undertake regular self-development to continue your professional development and hopefully progress further within the organisation.

Click here to view the range of benefits available to all LAT staff.  

Our commitment to safeguarding: Leigh Academies Trust and all of our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process across all academies and business units.  All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.  

Our commitment to equality and diversity: As a Trust we are passionate about diversity and recognise that as individuals, we all bring something unique to the role regardless of any protected characteristics which is why we treat all of our people equally, without compromise. We are committed to providing equality and fairness throughout our recruitment and employment practices and not to discriminate on any grounds.

Based on the quality and quantity of applications received, Leigh Academies Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy sooner than the specified closing date.  Applicants will be notified of this where possible.  Therefore, early applications are encouraged.