Assistant Headteacher, English or Head of English


Company:	Teaching Vacancies
Salary:	Not specified
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Exeter, EX2 9JU
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	25 Sept 2026
Closing date:	11 Oct 2026

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Summary

What skills and experience we're looking for

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.

What the school offers its staff

West Exe School is a highly successful secondary school in the beautiful city of Exeter and without doubt, the greatest place to work in the South West. We have an unashamedly academic curriculum, disruption free classrooms and an unrivalled staff development programme.

We are part of the Ted Wragg Trust, an ambitious and inclusive trust of schools strengthening our communities through excellent education.

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.

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