Head of English - Melbury College

What skills and experience we're looking for

Head of English – Melbury College

An exciting opportunity to inspire, innovate and make your mark across five specialist education settings.

Salary

MPS/UPS (Inner London) + TLR 2.1 + SEN 1 (subject to pay review)

Contract

Full-time, permanent

Location

Melbury College, London Borough of Merton

Closing date

2nd November 2026 at 9am

Interviews

To be confirmed

Start date

January/April 2027

This is no ordinary Head of English role.

Are you an inspiring English teacher with the passion, creativity and ambition to make a real difference? Are you ready to take the next step in your leadership journey, or an experienced subject leader looking for a fresh and rewarding challenge?

At Melbury College, we are looking for an enthusiastic, forward-thinking and inspirational Head of English to lead and shape secondary English education across our five diverse specialist settings.

This is a unique opportunity to influence teaching and learning across our provision, working with talented and dedicated colleagues to develop an ambitious, inclusive and engaging English curriculum that meets the needs of young people with a wide range of abilities, experiences and educational pathways.

Our pupils may have experienced significant barriers to education, but we believe passionately that these should never limit their aspirations or potential.

We are looking for someone who shares that belief.

The opportunity

As Head of English, you will play a key strategic role in developing and strengthening English provision across Melrose, Whatley, Canterbury, Lavender and Worsfold House/Bespoke.

You will have the opportunity to

• Shape and lead an ambitious, creative and inclusive secondary English curriculum across our specialist settings.
• Inspire and support colleagues, sharing expertise and developing consistently high-quality teaching.
• Champion literacy, reading and communication, helping young people develop the confidence and skills they need to succeed.
• Develop innovative approaches to engaging pupils with diverse needs, including SEND, SEMH and medical needs.
• Drive improvements in assessment, achievement and accreditation, recognising and celebrating progress from individual starting points.
• Work collaboratively with campus Headteachers and senior leaders to influence the future direction of English across Melbury College.

This is a role that combines strategic leadership with hands-on teaching, offering the opportunity to see the impact of your work directly in the classroom.

Why join Melbury College?

At Melbury, we know that exceptional education begins with exceptional people. We are proud of our welcoming, supportive and collaborative culture, where staff are encouraged to be creative, take initiative and develop professionally.

Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities

Melbury College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to appropriate safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check with children's barred list information and other pre-employment checks in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Online searches may be undertaken on shortlisted candidates as part of our safer recruitment procedures.

Melbury College is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected and supported.

Early applications are encouraged, as Melbury College reserves the right to close the vacancy and appoint a suitable candidate at any stage of the recruitment process.

Melbury College – Building Relationships. Inspiring Resilience. Unlocking Potential.

What the school offers its staff

We offer

• Small classes, big impact – typically 8–10 pupils, giving you the opportunity to build meaningful relationships and personalise learning.
• A genuinely rewarding role – make a lasting difference to young people who need educators who believe in their potential.
• A fantastic team around you – work alongside passionate, skilled and supportive colleagues who celebrate success together.
• Freedom to innovate – bring fresh ideas, creativity and ambition to a role where your leadership can make a real difference.
• Opportunities to grow – weekly CPD, a comprehensive induction programme and career development opportunities across Melbury College.
• A culture where staff matter – a strong commitment to staff wellbeing, inclusion and professional support.
• Practical benefits – including on-site parking and secure cycle storage.

Our ethos

Building Relationships. Inspiring Resilience. Unlocking Potential.

These are not simply words at Melbury College. They underpin everything we do.

Through our values of Respect, Courage, Determination, Kindness and Purpose, we create nurturing, ambitious and inclusive learning environments where every young person is encouraged to thrive.

We are looking for a Head of English who will embrace these values, inspire colleagues and champion the belief that every pupil can achieve.

Ready to make a difference?

Whether you are an experienced Head of English or an outstanding teacher ready to take your next step into subject leadership, we would love to hear from you.

If you are passionate about English, ambitious for every learner and excited by the opportunity to shape education across a diverse and dynamic provision, this could be the role for you.

For further information about the role, please download our recruitment pack and visit www.melbury.merton.sch.uk.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.