Join to apply for the Head of Department - English role at Department of Education, Western Australia
This is a permanent full-time position commencing Term 1, 2026.
Collie Senior High School (SHS) is seeking a visionary and empathetic educational leader to join our dynamic administration team as Head of Learning Area – English. This pivotal role offers the opportunity to lead a passionate team of educators in a school committed to inclusive, culturally responsive, and high-impact teaching practices.
Set in the scenic Collie River Valley, our school serves a diverse cohort of students from Years 7 to 12, offering both Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) and Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathways. We are proud of our strong reputation for academic excellence, pastoral care, and community engagement. Our team has a shared vision to achieve our moral purpose of providing opportunities for all students to develop the skills, knowledge, and resilience through high quality teaching, to pursue pathways of their choice.
Find out more about our school by visiting or Schools Online.
The Role
As Head of Department – English, you will have proven experience to lead a team of passionate educators to achieve the school based targets and Department of Education systemic aspirations to improve the outcomes for students:
* Champion the school's vision and values, fostering a culture of honesty, respect, commitment, and aspiration.
* Lead the development and implementation of the Whole School Literacy Plan, with a focus on targeted intervention and inclusive support.
* Drive curriculum innovation and differentiation through data-informed planning and collaborative resource allocation.
* Have a thorough understanding of the WA Curriculum and SCSA requirements to deliver programs from Year 7 through to ATAR Year 12 English.
* Promote restorative practices and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) strategies to enhance student wellbeing and engagement.
* Align departmental initiatives with the school's Business Plan, budget, and legislative frameworks.
We are on a school improvement journey, and this role is ideal for a collaborative leader who can inspire excellence, build strong relationships, and lead with clarity and purpose. If you are passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people and shaping the future of education in a supportive and forward-thinking environment - Collie SHS welcomes your leadership.
Professional Benefits
Working for the Department of Education comes with a wide range of benefits designed to support both your professional and personal well-being. These benefits include competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, extensive training and career development opportunities, and attractive leave provisions. Here are some of the key benefits you will enjoy:
* Country Teaching Program Allowance of $8 020 a year
* 12 percent employer contributions to superannuation
* 12 weeks' vacation leave (school holidays)
* More than 20 days of other leave, including sick leave and carers' leave
* Subsidised accommodation where applicable
* Free relocation
Want to know more?
Full details of the role, selection criteria and training requirements are listed in the attached Job Description Form (JDF). For more information about this opportunity, please contact Bridgid Lafferty, Principal on or
Equity and Diversity
We are committed to an inclusive and culturally responsive workforce reflecting the diversity in our schools and the Western Australian community. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, young people, people of diverse sexualities and genders, people with disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Eligibility
To work with us, you must:
* be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or have a valid visa with relevant work rights for the term of the appointment.
* hold registration with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia
* obtain a valid Working With Children Check before you start; and
* consent to a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and obtain a current Screening Clearance Number issued by the Department of Education's Screening Unit before you start.
Application Instructions
Apply online in two easy steps:
Step 1: Select Apply for Job. Complete the online application form, including details of two (2) work related referees, preferably one (1) being your current line manager.
Step 2: Attach your documents. Your application should include:
* A CV of up to three (3) pages outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position
* A four (4) page statement addressing the following selection criteria as outlined in the attached JDF
* Demonstrated capacity to provide effective leadership in a diverse range of educational settings.
* High level of interpersonal and public relations skills that demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships to achieve planned outcomes.
* Demonstrated professional knowledge and the ability to apply this knowledge to ensure a high level of educational outcomes for all students, (e.g., Aboriginal students, students from diverse ethnic backgrounds and students with special needs).
* Demonstrated capacity to manage staff, physical and financial resources.
Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Friday, 31 October 2025
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