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Head of DepartmentEnglish

Assistant Headteacher, English or Head of English

West Exe School · Exeter · Devon

Job description

At West Exe, one conviction shapes everything: every student and every member of staff deserve something exceptional. An exceptional culture to belong to. Exceptional teaching to learn from. An exceptional experience to carry with them long after they leave.

From that conviction comes the rest of what we do: a curriculum that is rigorous, academic and rich in knowledge, teaching of genuine quality in every room, and a cultural capital programme that opens doors for all of our students, not a fortunate few.

English sits at the very heart of that ambition. The books students read, the arguments they learn to make and the words they learn to command shape what they can go on to do. We are looking for a Leader of English who believes great literature and powerful language belong to every child, and who wants to lead a department that makes that true.

Every Student, Every Time

Our values become real in the classroom through one promise: Every Student, Every Time. The student who finds reading hard, the student who is quietly getting by, the student who is already flying: each is owed the same precise explanation, the same demand for their full attention, and the same belief that they will succeed. Not in some lessons. In every one.

We are looking for someone who will

  • Lead a knowledge-rich English curriculum that is ambitious, coherent and rooted in great texts
  • Model and champion consistently excellent teaching across the department
  • Hold high expectations for every student and give colleagues the clarity and support to meet them
  • Bring energy, warmth and conviction to the life of the school
  • Live our values of brave, selfless and together for every child, every time.

Whether you are an established middle leader looking to broaden your influence across the school, or an ambitious teacher with leadership experience ready for the next challenge, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now

Applications are handled on Teaching Vacancies (GOV.UK).

About this school

West Exe School

Academy sponsor led · Secondary · Ages 11–16

Good
Pupils
1,237
Avg teacher salary
£49,437
Pupil:teacher ratio
16:1
Academy trust
THE TED WRAGG MULTI ACADEMY TRUST

Average (mean) teacher salary · DfE School Workforce Census 2024/25

View full school profile

Ofsted rating key

OutstandingGoodRequires ImprovementInadequateNot rated

Not rated= no current Ofsted judgement — typically a new school, a recently-converted academy not yet inspected, or a school type Ofsted doesn’t grade.

Location

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Exeter, Devon, EX2 9JU

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Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full time
Posted
23 October 2026
Closing date
6 December 2026

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