Deputy Head Community

Full Time

Required from September 2025

Do you have a passion for life and learning? If so, our inspirational team at JAGS is looking for a colleague to join the school’s Leadership Team as Deputy Head Community. Your dynamic and creative approach will help encourage and champion today’s young learners across Years 7 to 13 in this, one of the UK’s leading independent schools.

With its distinctive heritage as the oldest independent girls’ school in London, James Allen’s Girls’ School, JAGS, provides a forward-thinking and contemporary education for over 1100 girls aged 4 to 18.

Located in the London borough of Southwark, JAGS has a diverse school community and is committed to inclusive recruitment and inclusion in the workplace. Awarded the title of London Independent School of the Year 2024 by the Sunday Times, the school has entered an exciting new phase in its development. Your input will help to bring a bold educational vision to life for all students and colleagues as we work together to develop this already exceptional school in its next chapter.

Our school aims, both in and out of the classroom, are clear:

• To celebrate our diverse and inclusive community 
• To champion social awareness and sustainability
• To empower courage, creativity and compassion in each student
• To inspire aspirational and authentic lifelong learners and leaders 
• To nurture respectful, resilient and kind individuals

We are looking for a well-qualified graduate to join this exceptional staff body who shares our vision, is committed to full and broad educational opportunities for young people, is passionate about building partnerships within the local community and who will bring their own individuality to this warm and supportive team. 

In addition, the postholder will be an exceptional logistician, who understands the complexities of planning and organization within a busy London day school, and who leads teams to work collaboratively to plan and implement programmes of outstanding opportunities, enrichment and activities.   

The Deputy Head Community will work within a team of three Deputy Heads who work closely and collaboratively to:

• Assist the Head in communicating and delivering the strategic vision for the school.
• Ensure that JAGS is an outstanding place to work.
• Ensure that the students receive an exceptional all-round educational experience.
• Deputise for the Head, as required.
• Exercise academic, logistical, pastoral and community leadership in school.

And in particular will:

• Organise and co-ordinate the logistics of the daily routines and events of the Senior School
• Provide strategic leadership for the co-curricular programme
• Provide strategic leadership for the school’s partnerships and community outreach programmes

The talent and dedication of our staff team makes JAGS an outstanding place to work and we are committed to providing a stimulating and supportive environment for our staff. Teamwork plays an important role within our staff body: the staff love to enhance the experience of the students both in and out of the classroom by sharing good practice, resources and ideas. Our GCSE and A Level results are outstanding, as you would expect from this highly selective school. At JAGS, however, we believe there is so much more to education than simply exam results.  

Our staff believe strongly in enrichment, extension and a vibrant co-curriculum; we aim to build adventure, critical thinking, confidence, independence and a sense of community into each experience. 

In addition, any prospective candidate must show an active commitment to the values and expectations of our school community and to the welfare of the pupils within it. The enthusiasm to assist in a strong co-curriculum is an important quality of all who work at JAGS. 

We offer:

• The opportunity to join our outstanding school where public examination results consistently place JAGS amongst the leading schools in the UK  
• A community of considerate, creative and compassionate students and staff  
• A highly diverse and inclusive school community, committed to our bursary provision  
• An inspiring and enthusiastic team of colleagues across the teaching and support staff  
• Excellent facilities, including the latest resources to support learning  
• A diverse benefits package including:

• Competitive salary
• Choice of Teachers’ Pension Scheme or generous alternative defined contribution scheme
• Free onsite parking
• Free gym membership with discounted family rates
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free lunches
• Free access to the Dulwich Picture Gallery
• School fee discount
• Cycle to work scheme
• Interest-free computer loans
• Interest-free transport season ticket loans

How to apply

We recognise that celebrating the full diversity of staff and students has a positive impact on all and invite applications from candidates from a broad range of backgrounds. To enable us to make any reasonable adjustments, please let us know when you submit your application whether you have any special requirements.

We welcome applications from both the independent and maintained sectors. The school operates its own generous and competitive pay scales and will offer a salary commensurate with experience and the nature of this role.

Please visit our website www.jags.org.uk/day-to-day/vacancies to download a JAGS application form.

Please note that CVs and letters sent without a completed application form will not be accepted.

For further information please contact recruitment@jags.org.uk or telephone the Recruitment team on 020 8693 1181.

Closing Date   :                      Midday on Monday 24 February 2025

Interview Date:           Weeks commencing 3 March and 10 March 2025

Interviews may be held at any stage after applications are received. Interested candidates are advised to apply as soon as possible. We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the specified deadline, if a suitable candidate is found.

JAGS is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service, and overseas police and regulatory authorities where relevant.