Head of English

Head of English Cottesmore School, West Sussex Required for: September 2026 / January 2027 - a conversation about the start date is possible Contract: Full-time and permanent Salary: Competitive, according to experience Accommodation: Family and other accommodation available An exceptional opportunity Cottesmore is seeking an inspiring, energetic and highly accomplished teacher to lead English at our thriving co-educational boarding preparatory school. This is a significant academic appointment for someone who loves language, literature and the craft of excellent teaching. The successful candidate will have the vision and expertise to lead a vibrant department, inspire pupils of every ability and prepare our senior children confidently for 13+ Common Entrance and Public School Scholarship examinations. We are looking for a teacher who combines intellectual ambition with warmth, imagination and a genuine understanding of children. The Head of English will ensure that every pupil develops confidence as a reader, writer, speaker and thinker while our most able pupils are stretched towards exceptional scholarship outcomes. Cottesmore teachers contribute to the team sport programme, so this will be an important consideration. The role The Head of English will lead the teaching and development of English across the prep school, with particular responsibility for academic standards, curriculum design and preparation for senior-school entry. The successful candidate will: ● provide inspiring and effective leadership for the English department ● teach English across the prep-school age and ability range ● prepare Year 8 pupils for 13+ Common Entrance and the entrance requirements of leading boarding senior schools ● identify, nurture and prepare candidates for 13+ academic scholarships ● deliver ambitious scholarship teaching that develops sophisticated analysis, originality of thought and intellectual independence ● promote consistently excellent standards