head of department - mfl (excellent step-up opportunity).

Job Title: Head of Department - MFL (Excellent Step-Up Opportunity)

Location: Braintree, Essex

Working Pattern: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £36,443 - £59,659 (MPS/UPS + Significant TLR)

The Opportunity (Hook)

Ready to make the leap from Second in Department or Lead Practitioner into a fully-fledged Head of Department role? We are partnering with an outstanding secondary academy in Braintree that is actively looking to nurture the next generation of educational leaders. This heavily over-subscribed school offers an elite professional development programme, bespoke mentoring, and an established Trust-wide network designed to support an ambitious teacher taking the next definitive step in their career. Here, you will inherit a disciplined, supportive environment where you can truly focus on driving academic excellence.

About the Setting

Located in Braintree, Essex, this academy operates from a brand-new, state-of-the-art campus equipped with ICT-rich learning suites specifically designed for modern language immersion. The school is renowned for its pioneering learning environment, outstanding behaviour policy, and highly supportive parental community. Because the school maintains a disciplined, respectful, and structured atmosphere, teachers are liberated from heavy behaviour management and can genuinely focus on delivering high-quality, impactful lessons.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Lead, inspire, and manage the MFL department, fostering a collaborative culture and supporting the continuous professional development of your team.
• Curriculum Design & Innovation: Oversee the delivery of a rigorous, engaging French and Spanish curriculum across Key Stages 3 and 4 that maximises GCSE student outcomes.
• Teaching Excellence: Model outstanding classroom practice, championing interactive learning and target-language immersion to inspire a genuine love for culture.
• Data-Driven Progress: Meticulously monitor student progress and implement targeted interventions to ensure consistently strong academic performance across all ability levels.

What We Are Looking For

• Qualifications: Must hold QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) and a relevant degree in French, Spanish, or Modern Languages.
• Experience & Characteristics: A proven track record of delivering outstanding results at GCSE. You must be able to teach both French and Spanish (one to KS4, the other to at least KS3/KS4). Prior middle leadership experience is highly desirable, though ambitious Lead Practitioners looking for a step up are welcome.
• Transport & Commute: Ability to commute reliably to the campus in Braintree, Essex.

Safeguarding & Compliance

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All candidates must be willing to undergo an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. We will conduct full pre-employment checks, including references, right to work in the UK, and a thorough review of your employment history to account for any CV gaps.

How to Apply

If you are a passionate linguist looking to take the next definitive step in your leadership career, we want to hear from you.

To register your interest, request the full information pack, or arrange a confidential discussion about the role, please submit your CV via the apply link.

We are managing this search on an interim, confidential basis. Early applications are strongly encouraged as interviews will be held on a rolling basis.