Deputy Headteacher

Deputy Headteacher

Hours: 40 per week. Minimum 9am-3pm on site

Salary: £40,000/ £45,000 annum depending on experience

Location: All sites (Ashington, Stannington, Blyth) (own vehicle is essential)

This position is a Senior position within the school. The position is accountable to the Executive Board. This post includes a teaching responsibility of a minimum of 3 days per week (or equivalent).

The role requires the Postholder to act as a Senior Representative of the School and a member of the Executive Board working under the direction of the Director and Executive Headteacher. It also includes line management responsibilities. A subject specialism would be preferred. 

We are seeking to appoint a dedicated and forward-thinking individual who brings long-term ambition, focus, and commitment to the role. This position offers an excellent opportunity for a confident and capable teacher and leader with excellent organisational, administrative, and time management skills who is eager to further develop their leadership skills and experience. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ambition and passion required to excel individually, while also inspiring and leading their team towards ongoing personal and professional growth.

Key Functions of the Role

• Serve as a professional representative of the setting at all times, ensuring positive communication and relationships and developed and maintained at all times with all parties including staff, students, parents, carers, and those who fund placements.
• Work alongside the Executive Headteacher to support line management of the Senior Team.
• Work to support the Executive Headteacher as they act as Designated Safeguarding Lead for the School, by acting as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead. 
• Be a good role model in relation to behaviour management, providing strong structure, positive communication, and demonstrating a commitment to school ethos and staff wellbeing.
• Deliver a minimum of 3 days teaching timetable (or equivalent) across our sites.
• Attend each site at least one day per week to oversee staff, provide line management, and support and deliver high-quality teaching and learning.
• Consistently uphold and promote the ethos and values of the setting in all aspects of work.
• Attend professional meetings as required, representing the school in a professional and constructive manner.
• Develop a thorough understanding of the Independent School Standards, Ofsted standards, and Alternative Provision Regulations and ensure these standards are upheld at all times across the setting, working collaboratively with staff, students, and stakeholders to maintain full compliance.
• Foster and maintain positive, professional relationships with both staff and students, contributing to a supportive and respectful learning environment.
• Serve as a Subject Champion where required, supporting the Executive Headteacher and the Subject Champion team in ensuring the timely completion of all annual curriculum and subject schedules.
• Assist the Executive Headteacher in all aspects of leadership and management, including but not limited to:
• Curriculum development, strategic planning, and implementation.
• Contribute to the annual School Development Plan, individual staff action plans, and evaluation processes.
• Collection, analysis, and reporting of data relating to performance, compliance, and quality of provision.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure all administration duties are kept up to date at all times.
• Act as a designated Report Contact on site for safeguarding or behavioural incidents requiring Senior Leadership intervention, working closely with the Campus Lead and the Strategic Lead for Family Engagement and Pastoral Care.
• Ensure all safeguarding and behavioural matters are addressed appropriately and promptly, in collaboration with other senior staff, in line with statutory requirements and school policy.

Line Management Responsibilities

• Line management of allocated site-based staff (approximately 5–10 team members).
• Performance monitoring and review using BlueSky, aligned with the Teachers’ Standards.
• Work alongside the Mentor Team to support and maintain high standards for NQTs, ECTs, and Unqualified Teachers, ensuring additional support and training are provided where needed.
• Conduct regular recorded 1:1 supervision meetings with allocated staff.
• Lead or participate in appraisal processes in line with school policies.
• Provide day-to-day direction and support for staff as required.
• Make referrals to the Executive Headteacher or HR where appropriate.
• Participate in recruitment, interview, selection, and induction for new team members.

DEPUTY DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING LEAD 

Please note: This is the job description for a Safeguarding Lead. You will be required to deliver part/ all of this job description as required in a Deputy position. 

This role will require the postholder to undergo Designated Safeguarding Lead training to support the Executive Headteacher in their position as Designated Safeguarding Lead for the School. 

In this position, the postholder will:

• Support the DSL in leading safeguarding and child protection across the school, including online safety.
• Make and support referrals to relevant agencies (e.g., Children's Social Care, Channel, DBS) and ensure clear documentation is maintained.
• Advise staff on safeguarding matters and supervise the wider safeguarding team where appropriate.
• Oversee secure, confidential record keeping (CPOMS, Single Central Record) and ensure files are transferred appropriately when pupils move.
• Promote a whole-school safeguarding culture by leading training, ensuring policy compliance, and encouraging open, trusting relationships with pupils.
• Liaise with the Executive Headteacher, mental health leads, and external partners to ensure integrated, holistic support for children.
• Monitor the impact of safeguarding concerns on pupils' wellbeing, attendance, and academic progress.

Experience

• NPQH preferred but not essential
• SENCO qualification preferred but not essential 
• QTS or QTLS with a successful NQT year pass
• Minimum 5 years Leadership experience in an education setting with a minimum of 2 years of line management experience AND
• Minimum 5 years classroom teaching experience

The Postholder will be required to attend recruitment interviews and complete the Safer Recruitment training. 

Please contact us directly for more information for a full job description or more information about this post.

The above duties do not define or include all tasks required of the post holder. Duties and responsibilities may vary without changing the level of responsibility.

This role requires working with children who may display challenging behaviours and/or who may have special educational needs. Confidence in behaviour management is an essential requirement. We require all staff to undergo training in Positive Handling alongside other statutory training. We reserve the right to close applications early.

Safeguarding is the highest priority and we follow Safer Recruitment procedure. All staff must undergo an enhanced DBS.