Head of Department

A dedicated and passionate educator is being sought to join the Nerang State High School team in the position of Head of Department for English from Term One 2026.

The successful applicant will be responsible for curriculum leadership in the Australian Curriculum: English; Learning Support (English); QCAA subjects: General English and Essential English.

Implicit in this leadership role is the responsibility to implement the school vision and whole-school explicit improvement agenda, with a keen focus on building pedagogical capacity to ensure inspirational teaching provides highly engaging learning and success for all
students.

About the Department of Education:

Working for the Queensland Department of Education means joining an organisation that values its people and promotes leadership and innovation. Be part of an environment that respects professionalism and diversity, offers training and development opportunities and embraces flexible careers and work-life balance. Find out more about working with us.

Who We Are:

Nerang State High School is a vibrant and inclusive secondary school on the Gold Coast, dedicated to empowering students to achieve their personal best. The school offers a diverse range of academic, vocational, and extracurricular programs, fostering excellence, creativity, and resilience. With a strong focus on community, respect, and lifelong learning, Nerang State High School prepares students to succeed in a changing world.

Step Into Your Next Chapter:

As the Head of Department of English, the successful applicant will have responsibility for the following:

• Work as a key member of the school leadership team to implement the whole school explicit improvement agenda, with a focus on building teacher capability and student engagement.
• Leadership of the strategic directions within the English faculty, aligned to the school Annual Improvement Plan and focussed on providing quality learning outcomes for all students.
• Use high-level analytical skills to develop strategic actions and implement these through influencing, delegation and teams.
• The implementation of the Australian Curriculum for Years 7 to 10 (English), including unit preparation, assessment, reporting and moderation.
• The implementation of the senior school General and Applied subjects - General English and Essential English.
• The implementation of literacy across the school, including reading.
• Direction and oversight of class practices, including planning, delivery and assessment.
• Setting high standards for student and staff performance.
• Strategic development and implementation of the annual faculty budget.
• Leadership and management of teachers, learning support staff, academic excellence teachers, and teacher aides (with some working across other faculties).
• Active participation in lifelong learning and ongoing professional development.
• Understanding and communicating the legislation and policies that impact on schooling.

Please view the role description for a full list of responsibilities.

The Perfect Fit:

The ideal applicant will be a high calibre educational leader with a contemporary leadership style focussed on collegial engagement, collaboration and innovation in order to foster and drive continuous improvement throughout the faculty. The Head of English faculty will support high quality teaching, effective use of resources, and high standards of learning and achievement for all students.

Applications are encouraged from appropriately qualified and experienced educators with exceptional relationship skills who display the warmth, energy, integrity and passion to inspire our students and engage with our school community. This opportunity would be best suited to a candidate with strong flexibility, independence, leadership, change management and communication skills.

Submit Your Application:

• Attach a brief resume including contact details for 2 referees (referees should have an understanding of your relevant work history)
• Attach a maximum 3500 word written response outlining your suitability for the role, referring to the key capabilities under the 'How you will be assessed' section in the attached role description. address criteria 1 to 4 from the key capabilities in the Role Description,  provide 1-2 contexts per criteria to illustrate your suitability for each, preference is A4 page size; Calibri 11 font; 2cm margins, focus on your leadership of outcomes.
• Attach a copy of your mandatory qualifications/registration outlined in the attached role description

We welcome all applicants to share any support needed to ensure our recruitment process is inclusive.

Applications remain current for 12 months from the closing date and may be considered for appointment to identical or similar vacancies within the Department.

Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.