POST TITLE:
STATUS:
SCALE:
LINE MANAGER:
Deputy Headteacher
Permanent
L18 - L22 (Inner London)
Headteacher
JOB DESCRIPTION
To provide professional leadership and management of specified areas of the school; to
support and develop staff and to hold them accountable for students’ progress, and to
improve standards of learning and raise achievement of students.
GENERIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
All members of the Senior Leadership Team have a shared responsibility for:



providing leadership for the maintenance of the culture and values of the school
promoting and being committed to establishing high standards for every student
and member of staff
demonstrating high expectations and inclusive practice
In addition to the duties set out in the “School Teacher Pay and Conditions of Service”
document and the Job Description for classroom teachers, this post carries with it the
following responsibilities:
Specific Responsibilities of the post
To provide strategic leadership and management of the following parts of the school:




Line management of at least one core faculty within the school
Line management of at least one strand of associate staff within the associate
staff structure
Ensuring the standards of teaching and learning are raised in order to raise
achievement across the school and to meet the Ofsted ‘outstanding’ descriptor
Other specific responsibilities to be discussed and confirmed on appointment in line with
the changing needs of the school. From September these needs would be greatest in
inclusion, safeguarding, and personal development, behaviour and welfare more widely.
In addition, the postholder will also:



Fulfil a teaching commitment and be an excellent classroom teacher
Conduct assemblies, detentions and carry out senior duties around the school
Plan and support enrichment activities to enhance students’ learning
Specific responsibilities of the Deputy Headteachers:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
Deputise for the Headteacher when required
Agree, monitor and evaluate the school’s key objectives in its strategic plan
to make a measurable contribution to whole school improvement
Plan, write, review and deliver school policy in designated areas
Engage all relevant staff and governors in the creation, consistent
implementation and improvement of school policies
Create action plans, which contribute positively to the achievement of the
overall school strategic plan, and which actively involve all relevant staff and
governors in their design and execution
Advise and report to the governing body and other key stakeholders as
required
Liaise with outside agencies at local and national level
Develop relationships with the school’s community, including other
secondary schools and all feeder primary schools
Provide an authoritative and visible presence in and around the school,
including the local neighbourhood
Provide regular feedback for staff in a way which recognises good practice
and supports their progress against performance management objectives
resulting in a tangible and measurable impact, and to hold staff accountable
for student progress
Assist other members of the leadership team, subject leaders and Heads of
Faculty, and governors in the ongoing review of the standards of leadership,
and progress of relevant areas of the school, consistent with the school’s
self-evaluation procedures
Train, coach and mentor staff to ensure a positive, professional and
achievement-driven ethos is maintained
Oversee and evaluate budget allocations to ensure the budget is spent in line
with priorities and the principles of best value
Ensure high quality communication within the school and with families and
other agencies takes place, and that parent/carer satisfaction ratings are high
Ensure that the profile and reputation of the school are held high, through
effective marketing and public relations
Ensure that best practice in safeguarding prevails school-wide
Ensure that the needs of all children and young people in the school are
being met, particularly where there is underachievement occurring, enabling
all to succeed beyond expectations
Whilst every effort has been made to set down the main duties and responsibilities of the
post, each individual task to be undertaken may not be identified. This job description is
current at the date shown, but, in consultation with you, may be changed by the Head
teacher to reflect or anticipate changes in the job commensurate with the grade and job
title.
The post holder will be expected to work flexibly and carry out all duties in compliance
with the school’s and Learning Trust’s policies.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Deputy Headteacher
Essential selection criteria
Qualifications:
 Education to good honours degree or equivalent plus qualified teaching
status

Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to the post
Experience:
 Successful experience of management at middle/senior level in an inner city
comprehensive school

Successful experience in a middle leadership role in an inner city school

Successful involvement in planning, implementing and evaluating initiatives
to raise achievements

Sustained successful experience as a classroom practitioner across the age
and ability range 11 to 19

Experience of working with data to promote learning and achievement

Experience of raising the achievement of diverse groups of students across
the ability range

Evidence of leading and managing effective and significant change across at
least two key stages

Experience of building productive relationships with staff, students and
parents and governors
Management and leadership skills:
 Success at motivating staff to raise students’ performance and at enthusing
them to develop new ideas and initiatives

Ability to maintain effective working relationships at all levels whilst
demonstrating a flexible approach

Evidence of the ability to delegate, consult and be decisive
Professional knowledge and understanding:
 Knowledge and understanding of recent curriculum developments and wider
educational issues

Knowledge, understanding and the ability to use ICT to promote learning and
for management tasks (some experience of constructing whole school
timetables would be desirable)

An understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities in its widest
sense and a commitment to inclusive education
Skills, abilities and personal qualities:
 The ability to promote and maintain the highest standards in all aspects of
the work in the school

Team player with energy, enthusiasm and perseverance

Experience of working under pressure and managing competing demands
and deadlines

The ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, with a
variety of audiences across the whole school

An understanding of the role of leadership team members and the
professional qualities required to fulfil the role effectively

Commitment to supporting whole school events and extra-curricular
activities

A willingness to listen, empathise and to be self-critical and reflective

A sense of fun as well as the ability to work hard and calmly under pressure