Head of English
| Posting date: | 28 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 23 February 2026 |
| Location: | Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 0SZ |
| Company: | Teaching Vacancies |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 31b6f424-f4c9-4ebe-93c2-4491303170e4 |
Summary
What skills and experience we're looking for
Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology is looking for a new Head of English to join the successful and experienced English department. The Head of English is responsible for providing vision and strategic leadership to ensure that the department is managed effectively to the highest educational standards at National, local and school levels.
You will have the opportunity to teach students in Years 9 to11, and join an innovative and highly committed team who support one another to succeed and share a deep interest in professional learning and development. Your teaching will be underpinned by strong schemes of work and assessment and the work of the United Learning subject advisory team.
The English Department
The English Department is a small, dedicated team of three specialists working within a high‑performing STEM school. We teach English from Year 9 to Year 11, delivering the AQA GCSE Language and Literature courses and our strong results reflect both the hard work of our students and the collaborative ethos of the department. Our students are aspirational, motivated, and eager to succeed across all academic disciplines, including English.
At GCSE our students currently study: Power and Conflict Poetry, An Inspector Calls, A Christmas Carol and Macbeth. We have crafted our own Year 9 curriculum, which allows us to introduce different texts while building the skills needed for GCSE success. Year 9 students have 8 hours of lessons across a two-week timetable and at GCSE, students have 9 hours of lessons across the two weeks. All students study for both the Language and Literature GCSEs. As part of a supportive Trust, we also benefit from shared resources and ongoing development opportunities.
Although small, our team has a strong sense of identity. We have 3 specialist teaching rooms. We celebrate creativity, run writing competitions, and create opportunities for students to explore English beyond the syllabus, such as newspaper reporting, debating and public speaking. We have also hosted performances from professional theatre companies.
What the school offers its staff
About CAST
CAST is an inspiring, specialist science academy for young people aged 13-19 years old. As part of United Learning we seek to bring out 'the best in everyone'. We equip our students with the ‘powerful knowledge’ they need to make a success of their lives and the character to become resilient in overcoming obstacles; to responsibly manage themselves; to work independently on things which challenge them and to work with others.
The college offers GCSE, Alevel and T level courses, along with unique opportunities to learn from working scientists, technologists and engineers. Students work instate-of-the-art laboratories and facilities. Learning occurs in innovative and exciting ways, supported by CAST’s unique partnerships with business. CAST therefore gives students a head start into their future careers. Consequently, student results are strong, and students achieved well above national averages in both STEM subjects and English.
We instil a workplace ethos, with a positive impact recognised by Ofsted who stated that ‘the excellent behaviour of students in lessons and around college creates an environment in which it is a joy to teach and study.’
Staff feedback demonstrates to us that CAST is a great community to work in, with a supportive and collaborative culture that is highly valued. Staff have eight training and marking days built into the academic year. There are numerous internal and external development opportunities available to all staff.
United Learning
The school is part of United Learning, a large and growing group of schools aiming to offer a life changing education to children and young people across England. There are many benefits to working as part of United Learning – expert Subject Advisers, supportive Regional Director and best of all over 50 excellent academies that we work with to improve each other. We encourage staff to visit other academies, “steal with pride” and bring the best practice back to our own schools.
As a Group, we can reward our staff better: with good career opportunities, better pay, benefits, and ultimately, the satisfaction of helping children to succeed. We invest in our staff wellbeing. Our academies each have at least eight INSET days per year (with three of those solely dedicated to planning), and an ongoing group-wide wellbeing programme. It's an ethos we call ‘the best in everyone’.
We are working hard to become a more diverse organisation – which is key to our commitment to bringing out the best in everyone. We welcome applications from everyone committed to this ethos and would particularly welcome applications from black and minority ethnic candidates, who are currently under-represented in the Group as a whole. We always appoint on merit, and we are open to discussing flexible working options.
Further details about the role
UnitedLearning is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All positions are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online check.
Here at United Learning, we are committed to ensuring our employees feel valued and appreciated. Because we are a group, we can reward you better than any school could alone, and this includes your employee benefits.
Commitment to safeguarding
United Learning is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All positions are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online check.
Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology is looking for a new Head of English to join the successful and experienced English department. The Head of English is responsible for providing vision and strategic leadership to ensure that the department is managed effectively to the highest educational standards at National, local and school levels.
You will have the opportunity to teach students in Years 9 to11, and join an innovative and highly committed team who support one another to succeed and share a deep interest in professional learning and development. Your teaching will be underpinned by strong schemes of work and assessment and the work of the United Learning subject advisory team.
The English Department
The English Department is a small, dedicated team of three specialists working within a high‑performing STEM school. We teach English from Year 9 to Year 11, delivering the AQA GCSE Language and Literature courses and our strong results reflect both the hard work of our students and the collaborative ethos of the department. Our students are aspirational, motivated, and eager to succeed across all academic disciplines, including English.
At GCSE our students currently study: Power and Conflict Poetry, An Inspector Calls, A Christmas Carol and Macbeth. We have crafted our own Year 9 curriculum, which allows us to introduce different texts while building the skills needed for GCSE success. Year 9 students have 8 hours of lessons across a two-week timetable and at GCSE, students have 9 hours of lessons across the two weeks. All students study for both the Language and Literature GCSEs. As part of a supportive Trust, we also benefit from shared resources and ongoing development opportunities.
Although small, our team has a strong sense of identity. We have 3 specialist teaching rooms. We celebrate creativity, run writing competitions, and create opportunities for students to explore English beyond the syllabus, such as newspaper reporting, debating and public speaking. We have also hosted performances from professional theatre companies.
What the school offers its staff
About CAST
CAST is an inspiring, specialist science academy for young people aged 13-19 years old. As part of United Learning we seek to bring out 'the best in everyone'. We equip our students with the ‘powerful knowledge’ they need to make a success of their lives and the character to become resilient in overcoming obstacles; to responsibly manage themselves; to work independently on things which challenge them and to work with others.
The college offers GCSE, Alevel and T level courses, along with unique opportunities to learn from working scientists, technologists and engineers. Students work instate-of-the-art laboratories and facilities. Learning occurs in innovative and exciting ways, supported by CAST’s unique partnerships with business. CAST therefore gives students a head start into their future careers. Consequently, student results are strong, and students achieved well above national averages in both STEM subjects and English.
We instil a workplace ethos, with a positive impact recognised by Ofsted who stated that ‘the excellent behaviour of students in lessons and around college creates an environment in which it is a joy to teach and study.’
Staff feedback demonstrates to us that CAST is a great community to work in, with a supportive and collaborative culture that is highly valued. Staff have eight training and marking days built into the academic year. There are numerous internal and external development opportunities available to all staff.
United Learning
The school is part of United Learning, a large and growing group of schools aiming to offer a life changing education to children and young people across England. There are many benefits to working as part of United Learning – expert Subject Advisers, supportive Regional Director and best of all over 50 excellent academies that we work with to improve each other. We encourage staff to visit other academies, “steal with pride” and bring the best practice back to our own schools.
As a Group, we can reward our staff better: with good career opportunities, better pay, benefits, and ultimately, the satisfaction of helping children to succeed. We invest in our staff wellbeing. Our academies each have at least eight INSET days per year (with three of those solely dedicated to planning), and an ongoing group-wide wellbeing programme. It's an ethos we call ‘the best in everyone’.
We are working hard to become a more diverse organisation – which is key to our commitment to bringing out the best in everyone. We welcome applications from everyone committed to this ethos and would particularly welcome applications from black and minority ethnic candidates, who are currently under-represented in the Group as a whole. We always appoint on merit, and we are open to discussing flexible working options.
Further details about the role
UnitedLearning is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All positions are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online check.
Here at United Learning, we are committed to ensuring our employees feel valued and appreciated. Because we are a group, we can reward you better than any school could alone, and this includes your employee benefits.
Commitment to safeguarding
United Learning is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All positions are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online check.