Assistant Headteacher

Post: Assistant Headteacher 

Leadership Scale Range L5 – L9 

Reporting to: Headteacher

Responsible for: Senior teaching assistants and new teachers

Main purpose:

The Assistant Headteacher, under the direction of the Headteacher, will take a role in:

• Formulating the aims and objectives of the school

• Establishing policies for achieving these aims and objectives and managing staff and resources to that end

• Monitoring and evaluating progress towards the achievement of the school’s aims and objectives

The Assistant Headteacher will also have a class teaching commitment complying with the teachers’ standards and modelling best practice for others.

They may also be required to undertake any of the duties delegated from the Headteacher.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership

Under the direction of the Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher:

• Support the Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher in the day-to-day management of the school

• Communicate the school’s vision compellingly and support the Headteacher’s strategic leadership

• Lead by example, focusing on providing excellent education for all pupils

• Lead on whole-school strategies and policy areas with a particular focus on ‘Curriculum Development’.

• Build positive relationships with members of the school community, local community of schools and wider networks.

• Ensure quantitative and qualitative approaches are used to evaluate whole school initiatives 

• Keep up to date with developments in education, health and social care.

• Seek training and continuing professional development to meet own needs

Managing staff

Under the direction of the Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher:

• Assist with the selection and recruitment of new staff 

• Performance manage teachers, including carrying out appraisals, providing professional development opportunities, and holding staff to account to their performance

• Create an ethos within where staff are motivated and supported to develop their skills and knowledge 

• Adopt a coaching and mentoring approach within the line management role.

• Commit to their own professional development, proactively identifying development opportunities 

Modelling best practice for teachers

• Demonstrate excellent classroom practice.

• Implement strategies and initiatives to share best practice with others in the school, developing confidence and skills in others 

Systems and processes

Under the direction of the Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher:

• Ensure that the school’s systems, organisation and processes are well considered, efficient and fit for purpose

• Provide a safe, calm and well-ordered environment for all pupils and staff, focused on safeguarding pupils 

• Implement systems for managing the performance of staff, addressing any underperformance, supporting staff to improve and valuing excellent practice

• Work with the governing board as appropriate

• Support strategic, curriculum-led financial planning to ensure effective use of budgets and resources

Curriculum provision

• Lead on the whole-school curriculum, ensuring it is broad, balanced relevant and rich.

• Track and analyse pupil performance progress information, paying particular attention to different groups.

• Plan and implement interventions for those pupils who are not progressing

• Keep up to date with accepted best practice in teaching and learning, and advising others about this

• Provide relevant training and support for all staff ensuring pupil learning is maximized. 

• Provide support, training and moderation in the use of Cherry Garden’s Branchmap Assessment within school and the wider community.

Other Responsibilities

The assistant headteacher will be required to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people, and follow school policies and the staff code of conduct.

Please note that this is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the role. It is not a comprehensive list of all tasks that the assistant headteacher will carry out. The postholder may be required to do other duties appropriate to the level of the role, as directed by the headteacher.

Person Specification

Criteria

• Qualified teacher status 

• Degree

• To have evidence of continuing and recent professional development relevant to the post.

Experience

• Leadership and management experience in a school

• Minimum of two years Teaching experience 

• Involvement in school self-evaluation and development planning

• Line management experience

• Experience of contributing to staff development

• Experience in leading an aspect of school improvement

Skills and knowledge

• Understanding of high-quality teaching, and the ability to model this for others and support others to improve

• Knowledge and understanding of typical child development 0-5 years.

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills with staff, parents, professionals and children

• Ability to communicate a vision and inspire others

• Ability to build effective working relationships within the senior leadership team

• Knowledge of current statutory safeguarding responsibilities of the school

Personal qualities

• A commitment to getting the best outcomes for all pupils and promoting the ethos and values of the school

• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively

• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality at all times

• Commitment to safeguarding and equality

• Have a calm and positive attitude in challenging scenarios

• Ability to reflect and adapt to ensure continual improvement

• A sense of humour

Notes:

This job description may be amended at any time in consultation with the postholder.