Deputy Headteacher
What skills and experience we're looking for
Main purpose
The deputy headteacher, under the direction of the headteacher, will take a major role in:
- Formulating the aims and objectives of the school
- Establishing policies for achieving these aims and objectives
- Managing staff and resources to that end
- Monitoring progress towards the achievement of the school’s aims and objectives
- Leading the school safeguarding team through the role of DSL (see DSL job description)
- Oversee the progress of all pupils and SEND pupils throughout the school
- Lead and manage a behaviour team across the school
The deputy headteacher will also be expected to fulfil the professional responsibilities of a headteacher, as set out in the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD).
Qualities
The deputy headteacher will:
- Uphold public trust in school leadership and maintain high standards of ethics, behaviour and professional conduct
- Build positive and respectful relationships across the school community
- Serve in the best interests of the school’s pupils including those with SEND
Duties and responsibilities
School culture and behaviour
Under the direction of the headteacher, the deputy headteacher will:
- Work alongside the senior leadership team (SLT) and other staff members to create a culture where pupils experience a positive and enriching school life
- Uphold educational standards in order to prepare pupils from all backgrounds for their next phase of education and life
- Ensure a culture of staff professionalism
- Encourage high standards of behaviour from pupils, built on rules and routines that are understood by staff and pupils, and clearly demonstrated by all adults in school
- Use consistent and fair approaches to managing behaviour, in line with the school’s behaviour policy
Teaching, curriculum and assessment
Under the direction of the headteacher, the deputy headteacher will:
- Establish and sustain high-quality teaching across all subjects and phases, based on evidence
- Ensure teaching is underpinned by subject expertise
- Effectively use formative assessment to inform strategy and decisions
- Ensure the teaching of a broad, structured and coherent curriculum
- Establish curriculum leadership, including subject leaders with relevant expertise and access to professional networks and communities
- Use valid, reliable and proportionate approaches to assessing pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the curriculum
- To support the Teaching and Learning strategies promoted in school e.g Teach like a champion
Additional and special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities
Under the direction of the headteacher, the deputy headteacher will:
- Promote a culture and practices that enables all pupils to access the curriculum
- Have ambitious expectations for all pupils with SEN and disabilities
- Make sure the school works effectively with parents, carers and professionals to identify additional needs and provide support and adaptation where appropriate
- Make sure the school fulfils statutory duties regarding the SEND code of practice.
Organisational management and school improvement
Under the direction of the headteacher, the deputy headteacher will:
- Establish and sustain the school’s ethos and strategic direction together with the governing board and through consultation with the school community
- Establish and oversee systems, processes and policies so the school can operate effectively
- Ensure staff and pupils’ safety and welfare through effective approaches to safeguarding, as part of duty of care
- Manage staff with due attention to workload
- Ensure rigorous approaches to identifying, managing and mitigating risk
- Identify problems and barriers to school effectiveness, and develop strategies for school improvement that are realistic, timely and suited to the school’s context
- Make sure these school improvement strategies are effectively implemented
Professional development
Under the direction of the headteacher, the deputy headteacher will:
- Ensure staff have access to appropriate, high standard professional development opportunities
- Keep up to date with developments in education
- Seek training and continuing professional development to meet needs
Governance, accountability and working in partnership
Under the direction of the headteacher, the deputy headteacher will:
- Understand and welcome the role of effective governance, including accepting responsibility
- Ensure that staff understand their professional responsibilities and are held to account
- Ensure the school effectively and efficiently operates within the required regulatory frameworks and meets all statutory duties
- Work successfully with other schools and organisations
- Maintain working relationships with fellow professionals and colleagues to improve educational outcomes for all pupils
What the school offers its staff
Transparent Salary Framework: We offer clear and transparent pay scales, aligned to government recommended pay, that reflect your experience and expertise.
Annual Pay Review: Commitment to regular reviews to ensure our salaries remain aligned to government recommended scales for teaching and non-teaching staff.
Teachers' Pension Scheme: Benefit from one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK.
Local Government Pension Scheme: Our support staff are enrolled in the LGPS, which is a secure and flexible pension plan that provides a valuable package of retirement and death in service benefits
Employer Contributions: We make significant employer contributions to your pension, helping you plan for the future with confidence.Tailored Growth: Benefit from our bespoke professional development programmes, designed to help you reach your career goals.
Access to over 100 tailored CPD courses through a mix of flexible webinars and online or face to face opportunities
Opportunities to network with likeminded individuals- through networks, meetings and our annual Whole Trust Conference.
Leadership Opportunities: With a clear pathway for progression, you have the chance to advance into leadership roles within our trust – teaching and non-teaching
Commitment to safeguarding
Victoria Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects its entire staff to share this commitment. All post holders will be required to have an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and barring Service (DBS).All shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online search as part of our recruitment process.