Head of English and Whole-School Literacy

• Felixstowe School

• Address: High Street, Felixstowe, Suffolk IP11 9QR
• Salary: MPR1 - UPR3 (Main Pay Range SCP1 - Upper Pay Range SCP3), plus £10,531 TLR1A, Qualified Teachers Pay Scale for England
• Hours: Full time
• Contract: Permanent, required from January 2027
• Reference: 5431

Our English 5+ results improved by 18.9 percentage points this summer.

We’re incredibly proud of that, and particularly proud of the team who made it happen.

Now we’re looking for an exceptional Head of English and Whole-School Literacy to build on that success and lead what comes next.

This isn’t a turnaround job. You’ll inherit a committed team, shared resources, improving outcomes and genuine momentum. But there is plenty still to do.

We want someone who can develop great teachers, strengthen an ambitious English curriculum and continue to improve outcomes for all students. And your influence will extend beyond the department. As our whole-school literacy lead, you’ll shape our approach to reading, writing, vocabulary and disciplinary literacy across the curriculum. You’ll work closely with senior and subject leaders, and we’ll give you allocated leadership non-contact time to do it properly.

For us, this is about more than examination results: it is about giving young people the confidence, literacy and voice to access the opportunities ahead of them.

Why join us?

Felixstowe School is a friendly, ambitious school at the heart of a great community. In 2024, we achieved our first Good Ofsted judgement in the school’s history, and we are determined to keep moving forward.

We are part of Unity Schools Partnership, with access to both a Teaching School Hub and Research School, and we have a strong track record of developing and promoting leaders.

We offer: a two-week October half-term; allocated leadership non-contact time; shared curriculum resources; sensible and proportionate marking and feedback expectations; funded NPQs appropriate to your career stage; excellent professional development and career progression opportunities; monthly professional supervision through OM Health and Wellbeing, funded by the school; an Employee Assistance Programme with access to discounts and benefits; a salary-sacrifice electric vehicle scheme; and a Cycle to Work scheme.

Could this be your next step?

You might already be a successful Head of English looking for a new challenge. Or you might be an excellent second in department wondering whether you’re ready to lead. Either way, we’re interested in your potential as well as your experience.

If you’re ambitious for young people, passionate about English and literacy and excited by the opportunity to develop yourself and others, we’d love to hear from you. Come and see us. Meet the team. Meet our students. Ask us about the results, behaviour, workload, our ambitions, and the things we’re still working to improve.

You can also arrange an informal and confidential conversation before deciding whether to apply. Great team. Great progress. Could you lead what comes next?

To find out more

Please read the Job Description and Person Specification (pdf) and Job Information Pack (pdf).

How to apply

To apply, please visit our School's career website.

All applications must be submitted via our trust online application portal.

Closing date: 9.00 am, 28 September 2026.

Promoted as JOTW (Job of the Week) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.

Please note: We may interview as applications are received and may appoint before the closing date. Applications must be submitted online via our careers website before the deadline, so we encourage early applications and advise checking the job details on our site.

In line with safer recruitment, we cannot accept CVs. Incomplete application forms may result in candidates not being shortlisted.

Unity Schools Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils. All successful candidates will be subject to rigorous pre‑employment checks, including an enhanced DBS. We are also committed to equality, diversity and fair recruitment practices, and we oppose all forms of unlawful discrimination.

We value inclusive working practices and diverse teams. If you wish to work part‑time or as a job‑share, we will accommodate this wherever possible. We particularly welcome applications from under‑represented groups.