Head of English

We are a large, mixed, 11-18 academy with over 300 students in our sixth form. Due to our increased popularity as a school, we expanded our roll to 12 form-entry in September 2018. Alperton Community School is proud to be an inclusive school with a student intake that reflects a wonderfully diverse and vibrant local community. Our students are very well behaved, work hard and are ambitious to succeed. Our most recent Ofsted rating recognised the school as Good with Outstanding Leadership and Management. 

Student progress at GCSE and A-Level has been above national averages for the last three years with disadvantaged students performing well above national averages. Our progress 8 score has been consistently “above average” for the last three years. We also see high numbers of our students progress to Oxbridge and Russell Group Universities. Student attendance and the percentage of students who remain in education, employment or training are also well above national averages.

We are very fortunate to have a brand new school building. The new building has 83 classrooms with purpose-built specialist Drama, Music, Art and DT facilities as well as 14 Science laboratories, 10 ICT rooms, a Dance Studio, an Activity Studio, an enormous Sports Hall and three outdoor MUGAs. Every classroom is equipped with state-of-the-art ICT facilities. We are very fortunate to have extensive outdoor spaces which are set aside for break and lunchtime activities. 

Our school has become internationally recognised following the success of our Art and Textiles teacher Andria Zafirakou who won the $1million Global Teacher Prize 2018. The school was shortlisted for the TES School of the Year 2018 and won the TES Maths Team of the Year 2017. We are one of only four schools in the country to hold the Platinum Professional Development Mark and one of only 100 schools to hold the Inclusion Quality Mark Centre of Excellence.

The Role  

We are looking to appoint an outstanding practitioner and talented leader who has the vision and determination to lead our English department to achieve outstanding outcomes for all our students.  

English is a very popular subject at Alperton Community School and students study English for at least 4 hours each week. All students study English Language and English Literature to GCSE standard. In 2019 our students achieved, on average, half a grade above expected. 80% of students achieved Grade 4+ in English, with 60% achieving Grade 5+ and 25% achieving Grade 7 and above. The number of students opting to study English Literature at A-Level has significantly increased over the last two years, with many students progressing to study English related subjects at university.  

The Person

The successful candidate will be an excellent classroom teacher who can inspire and excite students about their learning and possess recent, relevant, teaching and leadership experience. You will have an expert and creative approach to developing an English curriculum that is inclusive to all students. A sound knowledge and understanding of pedagogy and the accurate assessment of student work is essential.

This is an exceptional opportunity.  It will offer the successful candidate a friendly, highly supportive and committed working environment within a culture of success and professional growth. 

The Benefits 

On-going extensive CPD programme

Employee assistance programme 

Ride to work scheme 

Closing Date: 23 February 2020 (23:59)

Assessment & Interview Date: Week commencing 2 March 2020

To apply, please visit our vacancies page. Completed application forms may be emailed to; hr@alperton.brent.sch.uk.   

Supplementary Information 

We are committed to safer recruitment and safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We are an inclusive community school and encourage applications from all sections of the community.  

Successful candidate(s) will be required to undertake an Enhanced and Barred Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Please note CVs will not be considered as part of your application for this position.

Only successful candidates will be notified.  If you do not hear from us within 14 days of the closing date, please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.