Head of English

The Portsmouth Grammar School is a leading co-educational school located in the historic heart of Portsmouth. It values the development of the whole person, placing emphasis on both academic achievement and co-curricular involvement. The school aims to support every pupil in order that they might achieve their potential.

The school seeks a dynamic, well-qualified and experienced teacher to lead its highly successful English Department from January 2024. The ability to teach English at A Level and to support pupils in their higher education aspirations in English and related subjects is essential. 

We seek a Head of Department who is passionate and knowledgeable about their subject and able to communicate this with enthusiasm. To lead this busy and exciting department it is also important to demonstrate excellent interpersonal and organisational skills. The successful candidate must be open to promoting cross-curricular links with other department areas as appropriate. 

The school offers excellent training and support to teachers at all stages of their career. PGS teachers convey passion for their subject and seek to maximise progress by knowing their pupils well and adapting their teaching accordingly. We are always looking to develop new ideas and approaches to teaching and are keen to incorporate the particular interests of members of staff into the overall curriculum scheme.

Outstanding teaching and learning at PGS are achieved by inspirational and creative teachers with excellent subject knowledge and the ability to use ICT and interactive resources to enhance learning. Teachers’ planning is informed by assessment for learning, ensuring all pupils make very good progress in each lesson. Our pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning and understand how they can improve using constructive feedback provided by their teachers.

The successful applicant will be expected to contribute fully to the pastoral and co-curricular life of the school and in addition to support the school’s work in external partnerships. 

How to apply:

Candidates are asked to apply through the online form linked to our advert on www.tes.com

Any informal enquires about the role or how to apply are very welcome at hr@pgs.org.uk

The closing date will be 12 noon on 7th June 2023 and early applications are welcomed. Interviews will be scheduled during w/c 12th June with a provisional date of Tuesday 13th June. Candidates are asked to allow a whole day for the interview process, which will include teaching an observed lesson.

The English Department  

The successful candidate would join a committed English department, which aims not only teach to a high level within the classroom but run a range of inspiring activities beyond it. The department places great emphasis on the early inculcation of independent and critical thinking. Pupils are encouraged to aim high: we regularly compete in the National Literacy Trust Quiz and we participate in national competitions such as Poetry By Heart. Extension trips to Chawton House Library run biannually and our record for attaining university and Oxbridge places is strong (Oxford places/offers for our last two cohorts). The Portsmouth Point Magazine and Blog, and the Portmuthian magazine provide opportunities for pupils to write and edit. We also run internal competitions focusing on poetry, ghost story writing and poetry. Lit Soc is thriving and each year a pupil is appointed school Poet Laureate. The possibility exists for including new interests in the array of super and co-curricular activities offered by the department.

Entrants at all ages are bright, eager and creative, and can absorb challenging material; they are willing to be stretched intellectually. Even within the context of a top flight academic school, achievements at A Level have been notable. Over the past three years, our average A*-B percentage has been 84. Key Stage 4 results are strong, with the vast majority of pupils attaining Grade 6 or above.

We follow the Edexcel specifications for IGCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature; we follow the Eduqas specification for A Level. We teach a diverse, vibrant and stimulating Key Stage 3 curriculum that takes a thematic approach, engaging pupils’ enjoyment of literature and language through topics ranging from politics to identity, the environment to technology. The department believes in English as a medium for personal growth and enrichment as well as being a functional, skills-based subject. Every encouragement is given to teachers to work with their classes as they see fit, and to follow their own academic interests, in and out of the classroom. 

The department enjoys proximity to the main school Library, which offers outstanding facilities for reading and research. Library and English colleagues work closely and fruitfully together. Pupils in the Sixth Form can apply for membership of the nearby Portsmouth University library, which is very helpful for those undertaking wider research into their coursework and extended projects. All classrooms are equipped with a computer with internet access, a projector and Smartboard. There is a departmental office and two book rooms. Extensive use is made of the school’s Google Education suite to share teaching and learning material. All staff are issued with laptops.

This role has line management responsibility for the English Department which consists of seven specialist teachers, of whom five teach English full-time and two part-time and a teacher from another department who also contributes to the teaching of English.