Advice on a career move - applying for Head of English role

[Ellie6655]

I would really appreciate some advice about a possible career move.

I have been teaching for 4 years and I'm 26 years old. I have taught in 3 different schools (2 of them were under the same academy) and I have been a subject leader for PSHE in my current school.

During my PGCE year, I did a placement at an independent school in my area and I loved it. I've always kept my eyes open for jobs there but it's a nice school that nobody ever leaves, so vacancies are rare. This weekend, I noticed they have a vacancy for a Head of English for Year 4 to Year 8.

I've always had a passion for English as a subject. I studied it to degree level and I get involved with aspects of the subject at my current school. I am thinking of applying for it but there are a few things I'm unsure about.

1. Is 4 years of teaching considered enough experience to take on leadership of a Core subject like English?
   
2. What is leading English like in terms of workload? I'd be interested to hear from current English subject leaders. Also, I would have a classroom teacher role alongside this so I'm keeping that in mind.
   
   I would love a position like this and it really is a lovely school. I'm just not sure they would take me on as I'm still relatively new to teaching. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

[pieceofpurplesky]

What was your specialism during training?.
The workload in a english is ridiculous (English teacher here). The marking is never ending. That said I love it!

[SueBridehead]

The workload is huge for English with it being such an important, core subject and large amounts of marking.

I think how long you have been teaching is not an issue, I've known ambitious colleagues who have become hods, arts, etc in that time. I think it would be unlikely they would consider someone without English teaching experience. They may wonder how you could lead a team without knowledge and experience of exam specifications and understanding of the skills you have to develop in English. That said, I haven't worked the independent sector so that may well be different.

[HoldenCaulfield80]

Independents are so different to state schools so it'll be interesting to see what people in the private sector say.

I'm Head of a English in a mixed intake high school and love it. Been teaching for ten years, got a couple of small responsibilities at my first school, did two years as Second then moved to HoD.

It's bloody hard work though. Long(er) days, masses of paperwork, bridging the gap between the department and senior management, dealing with discipline on a whole team level and then there's the accountability for results a key subject both across the team and in your own classes. It's unspoken, of course, but you can't be a HoD and not get amazing results of your own!

I'm on mat leave at the moment and am already worried about how I'll manage when I go back. My school is ace though so it'll be worth the juggling

[Ellie6655]

Thanks for your replies.
My specialism during training was French, which isn't that helpful in this instance. However, I have taught English alongside other subjects in a classroom role (Primary) for 4 years.

All my experience was in Primary. The position is for leading English in Years 4 - 8 so this could be an issue.

Also, I don't have any English leadership experience due to it never being available in any of the schools I worked in. I have been enthusiastic about the subject though - I often share resources with my year group, I've adapted and led drama productions and helped organise a theatre trip in the past. I don't know if this would be enough though.

The job advert says they are looking for someone with passion, initiative, enthusiasm and good management skills. I feel like I could offer that except for the fact that I have no proven people management skills (never had a leadership position.)

This is looking less optimistic by the minute but I would appreciate any advice on my chances.

[SignoraLiviaBurlando]

One thing to bear in mind is the in Year 8 they will be taking CE, which is a fiercely competitive exam, and English is obviously a fundamental part of it, so I would think it unlikely that they would appoint a non-specialist for the role.

[MaraThonbar]

I became a head of English in an urban secondary academy after three years of teaching but my case was fairly unusual.

To be blunt, I think you're unlikely to be a strong candidate. I wouldn't appoint a non-specialist to the role.

Do you want to be an English specialist, or do you specifically want to work for this school? If the former, get as much experience as you can in your current school, shadow the literacy co-ordinator, get involved in a whole-school literacy project and approach a local secondary school to spend a day or more observing in the English department - maybe see if you could get involved with a transition project. If the latter, send a speculative CV to the headteacher explaining your interest in the school - they might have something perfect for you.