Bushra Farooq

0+ Years
🏆0% A*/A IGCSE English
👥0+ Teachers Trained
📋3 Head of English Roles
🏫0 UK Schools · 2 Countries
🎓KS3 · KS4 · GCSE · IGCSE · A-Level
Available Now
Irish Citizen · Full Right to Work in UK (Active NI)
Professional Summary: English specialist and Head of Department with 15+ years across UK schools and elite Cambridge International institutions in Pakistan — including Karachi Grammar School (founded 1847) and Nixor O Levels. Sustained 75% A*/A grades at IGCSE/O-Level English across multiple cohorts; led departments of up to 7 teachers serving cohorts of 350+ pupils; and trained 500+ in-service English teachers through her hybrid CPD platform. OCR Examiner, Cambridge PDQ Examiner, Member of SET, currently completing QTS via the Assessment-Only Route. Familiar with the Ofsted framework and current UK safeguarding protocols. Full portfolio: www.bushrafarooq.com.
Impact & Accomplishments
75% A*/A grades — IGCSE / O-Level English
500+ teachers trained via Cambridge-aligned CPD
14 teachers line-managed across two HoD roles
540+ pupils led across concurrent senior English roles
3 Head of English appointments — Nixor, C.A.S., Washington Intl
7-Year HoD tenure — Nixor O Levels
DAWN Spelling Bee Coordinator — KGS, 3 years
OCR & Cambridge PDQ Examiner — standardised marking
UK Experience
Apr 2026 – Present
KS3-KS4Long-Term Cover
  • Delivering high-quality English lessons across KS3 and KS4, maintaining curriculum continuity during long-term staff absence.
  • Contributing to the academic progress and holistic development of students across year groups.
English TeacherThe Bourne Academy
Jan 2026 – Apr 2026
KS3-KS4Long-Term Cover
  • Appointed to deliver uninterrupted English teaching across KS3 and KS4 during a long-term staff absence.
  • Maintained lesson planning consistency and pupil progress in line with departmental schemes of work.
Examiner (English)OCR – Remote / UK
Oct 2025 – Present
MarkingStandardization
  • Marking O-level/GCSE English scripts, adhering to strict standardization guidance.
  • Meeting accuracy and volume targets on the online platform while ensuring data integrity.
Oct 2025 – Present
MarkingStandardization
  • Examining Cambridge PDQ qualifications: Certificate in Teaching and Learning (5881) and Certificate in Teaching with Digital Technologies (5885).
  • Attending standardisation meetings and marking candidate portfolios to Cambridge assessment standards.
English Teacher (Maternity Cover)Cressex Community School
Nov 2025 – Dec 2025
KS3-KS4Maternity Cover
  • Delivering English Language & Literature lessons across KS3/KS4, supporting GCSE readiness.
  • Implementing inclusive strategies for diverse learning needs, Behaviour for Learning (BfL), and safeguarding best practices.
Supply TeacherBuckinghamshire Schools
Aug 2025 – Oct 2025
  • High-quality day and short-term cover at schools including Chesham Grammar & High Crest Academy.
  • Adapting rapidly to different school environments while maintaining high teaching standards.
International Leadership & Experience

Senior English appointments at Cambridge International schools across Karachi — Pakistan's most prestigious educational hub. The schools listed below collectively prepare graduates for Oxbridge, Russell Group, Ivy League and top global universities.

English Literature Teacher (IGCSE)Bayview Academy · Cambridge International, Karachi
2024 – May 2025
ConcurrentCambridge IGCSE~90 Pupils
  • Specialised in Cambridge IGCSE English Literature for ~90 pupils across Grades 9 and 10, fostering analytical reading and close-textual writing.
  • Incorporated multimedia resources, scaffolded text-marking routines, and exemplar-based modelling to lift engagement and IGCSE performance.
Head of English / CoordinatorNixor O Levels · One of Pakistan's top O-Level schools · Cambridge International Centre
2018 – 2025
Head of DepartmentCambridge O-Level7-Year Tenure7 Direct Reports350+ Pupils
  • Led a 7-teacher department serving 350–380 O-Level English candidates per year at one of Pakistan's most academically rigorous O-Level institutions, with sustained ~75% A*/A attainment across cohorts.
  • Owned curriculum design, scheme-of-work alignment to Cambridge specifications, internal moderation, and standardised assessment practice across the department.
  • Mentored colleagues through joint planning, lesson observation cycles, and assessment-data conferences; served as faculty advisor for the literary club and led parent workshops.
Head of English (Senior School)The C.A.S. School · Cambridge International school, Karachi
2021 – 2025
Head of DeptCurriculum LeadCambridge IGCSE/A-Level7 Direct Reports~100 Senior Pupils
  • Led a 7-teacher senior English department serving ~100 IGCSE and A-Level pupils, fully aligned to Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level specifications.
  • Owned curriculum delivery, scheme-of-work design, internal moderation, and day-to-day departmental operations; introduced cross-curricular literacy initiatives across senior school.
  • Member of the Publication Committee (2022–2023).
Early Career & Previous Leadership
Coordinator for Curriculum / Teacher MentorKarachi Grammar School · Founded 1847 · Pakistan's most prestigious school · Cambridge International
2014 – 2018
CoordinatorTeacher MentorCambridge International4 Mentees~100 KS3 Pupils
  • Served as Coordinator for Curriculum and Teacher Mentor for the Middle Section at KGS — Pakistan's oldest and most prestigious school (founded 1847), a consistent destination for pupils heading to Oxbridge, Russell Group, and Ivy League universities.
  • Coordinated the KS3 curriculum for ~100 pupils and directly mentored a cohort of 4 early-career English teachers through joint planning, classroom observation, and feedback cycles.
  • Founded and coordinated the DAWN Spelling Bee programme at KGS for 3 years, alongside literary club, drama production, and inter-school competition mentoring.
Head of English Dept / Senior CoordinatorWashington International School · Cambridge International curriculum, Karachi
2009 – 2013
Head of DeptTeacher TrainerCambridge International
  • Head of English Department and Coordinator for Senior School, leading the Cambridge International English curriculum across IGCSE and A-Level.
  • Served as Teacher Trainer and Oration Instructor, building debate, oracy and public-speaking programmes that produced regional competition winners.
Beyond the Classroom
Founder — The English Whisperer
Cambridge-aligned Teacher CPD Platform. Trained 500+ in-service English teachers across hybrid online and in-person sessions on text analysis, IGCSE literature pedagogy, and assessment design — aligned to Cambridge International standards.
Drama & Production
Director, Producer, and Assistant Producer for multiple annual school plays at KGS.
Debate & Oracy
Debate Coach for house teams and MUN (Model United Nations) Coach for students.
Competitions
DAWN Spelling Bee Coordinator at KGS (3 years). Mentored pupils across KGS and subsequent schools for inter-school essay, spelling, and oratory competitions.
References

Two senior academic referees available on request — both with 7+ year and 1+ year working relationships, confirmed and authorised:

  • Principal-level referee — Head of English Department (acted in Principal capacity), Cambridge International O-Level school, Karachi. 7-year working relationship.
  • Senior Leadership referee — Vice Principal, selective independent senior school, Karachi. 1-year working relationship.

Full contact details, position confirmations, and additional referees available on request.