This is a permanent full-time position commencing Term 1, 2027

Esperance Senior High School (SHS) is a proud, independent public school, offering a comprehensive secondary education for students from Year 7 to 12.

The school has a reputation for providing strong academic and vocational programs to meet a variety of student learning needs, underpinned by effective pastoral approaches to support student learning. Students consistently achieve to a high level in a variety of programs, including Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) and Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathways.

Esperance lies on the south-east coast of Western Australia, around 730 kilometres from Perth. The town is known for its award-winning natural environment, white sand beaches, national parks and a coastline that remains one of the state's best kept secrets.

The advertised commencement date for this vacancy is Term 1, 2027, however we welcome applications from candidates available to start earlier.

Find out more about our school by visiting www.esperanceshs.wa.edu.au or Schools Online.

Find out more about living and working in Esperance by viewing the video below.

The Role

As Head of Learning Area (HOLA) - English, you will join the school's leadership team and work closely with the Principal to provide educational leadership within the school and the wider community.

As an instructional leader, you will promote a clear and shared vision for high quality teaching and learning in the English Learning Area at Esperance SHS, drawing on the Department’s Quality Teaching Strategy: Teaching for Impact. You will work effectively with your team to deliver quality curriculum, assessment and reporting practices across Years 7 to 12, keeping teachers informed of current issues and innovations, and modelling exemplary evidence-based practice in the your own teaching. You will also support your teachers to engage effectively with the school’s approaches to student behaviour, moderation and parent contact.

A core aspect of the role is translating the strategic pillars, in the school's Strategic Plan 2026-28, into a quality operational plan for the learning area. You will work effectively to develop all staff, both individually and as a team, holding them accountable for teaching approaches, student learning outcomes and the achievement of Learning Area goals, and employing effective performance and development processes to continue to build an effective and dynamic improvement culture.

The effective use of data is an essential in this role i.e. to monitor student progress and achievement, evaluate the impact of teaching practice, and identify targets for individual and learning area improvement. Improved literacy outcomes are a priority across the whole school, at times requiring your leadership of improvement practices that contribute to whole school planning, and policy development.

About you

We are looking for an agile, relational, instructional leader who wiill be comfortable leading a team, managing the operational detail of a learning area and inspiring staff to work together on a shared vision for the Learning Area. The ideal HOLA - English will be committed to building a Learning Area that collaborates well, improves continually, and delivers on the school's broader priorities and targets.

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:

• District allowance of $2 399 a year
• 12 percent employer contributions to superannuation
• 12 weeks’ vacation leave (school holidays)
• Subsidised accommodation where applicable
• Free relocation
• Travel Concessions

Find out more about the benefits by visiting professional and personal benefits.

For additional information to all allowances and housing please contact Housing and Transport at housing.transport@education.wa.edu.au or on (08) 9264 5154.

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 Matt Lovejoy, Associate Principal on (08) 9071 9555 or emailing matthew.lovejoy@education.wa.edu.au.

Agency Referrals: Public sector agencies seeking to refer surplus employees should contact Recruitment at schoolsrecruitment@education.wa.edu.au during the advertising period.

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. 

Explore our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2021-2025 for more details.

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.

More information about employment eligibility can be found on our website or in the attached application package.

Additional eligibility and training requirements are outlined in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).

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 five (5) pages outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position; and
• A four (4) page statement addressing the following selection criteria as outlined in the attached JDF

1. Demonstrated capacity to provide effective leadership in a diverse range of educational settings.
2. High level of interpersonal and public relations skills that demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships to achieve planned outcomes.
3. 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).
4. Demonstrated capacity to manage staff, physical and financial resources.

It is recommended you have your attachments ready before selecting Apply for Job.

Your application must be received before the closing date and time. Late applications will not be accepted.

For technical support submitting your application, you can call the Department of Education’s Recruitment team on (08) 9264 4127 for assistance.

Advertised Vacancy Number: IPS/SA1061797

Suitable applicants may be considered for similar vacancies arising within the next 12 months following this selection process. This may include circumstances where the successful applicant declines or vacates the position.

The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.

Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Friday, 11 September 2026