DEPUTY HEAD OF THE LOWER SCHOOL
(EYFS and Key Stages 1 & 2)
The Post
The post holder will play a significant role in the leadership and management of the Lower School.
The successful candidate will be:
 be a graduate and with qualified teacher status;
 have an outstanding knowledge and understanding of teaching at the primary and junior levels;
 be able to demonstrate excellent classroom practice for teaching and learning, and have experience across
Foundation Stage and Key Stages 1 and 2;
 be an enthusiastic and innovative teacher with a genuine love of learning, who can motivate and inspire
children using a wide range of teaching strategies;
 be fully cognisant of Assessment for Learning and APP and include them as an integral part of professional
practice;
 be able to work as a member of a team and to contribute to the further development of the Lower School;
 be committed to his/her own professional development;
 involve himself/herself fully in the School’s co-curricular programme.
Applications are welcome from teachers who have experience of teaching in a British-curriculum school and
have at least two years teaching experience post qualification.
Applicants must hold citizenship of a European Union country and be eligible to work in the European Union.
Remuneration
The Sir James Henderson British School of Milan (SJHS) operates its own teaching scale, which compares
favourably with those in the UK.
SJHS LS Deputy Head Job Description February 2014
DEPUTY HEAD OF THE LOWER SCHOOL
(EYFS and Key Stages 1 & 2)
The Deputy Head of the Lower School
 Supports and works in partnership with the Principal and the Head of Lower School. In the absence of the
Head of Lower School, s/he acts on his/her behalf;
 Is a member of the Whole-school Senior Leadership Team (WSLT), contributing to the extended leadership,
management and improvement planning of the whole school;
 Assists the School’s leadership in fulfilling the School’s Mission, Vision and Objectives to ensure that all
children achieve their potential both personal and academic.
As a member of the Senior Leadership Team the Deputy Head is expected to
 Support the ethos and values of the school in everyday work and practice;
 Work effectively to translate the vision into agreed objectives and operational plans which will promote
school improvement;
 Display a high standard of professional behaviour and integrity at all times;
 Motivate and work with others to create a shared culture and positive climate.
Teaching and Learning
 Liaise and work with colleagues in a collaborative way;
 Carry out teaching duties as appropriate;
 Work with the SENCo;
 Support and contribute to the school’s system for the review and evaluation of teaching and learning;
 Monitor the teaching and provide constructive and developmental feedback;
 Monitor the raising of pupils’ standards of achievement and attainment;
 Support staff in the management and development of their curricular responsibilities to promote high quality
teaching and learning;
 Foster the development of a positive and supportive ethos for academic and social learning.
Duties and Responsibilities
 Report to and deputise effectively for the Head of Lower School when required to do so;
 Help oversee the pastoral care, personal development and general behaviour of the pupils;
 Be responsible for Child Protection & Safeguarding procedures in the Lower School, liaising with the DCPO
in the Upper School;
 Assist the Head of Lower School in the day-to-day leadership and management of the school including areas
such as staff, curriculum timetabling and general organisation of the school day;
 Contribute effectively as a member of the Senior Leadership Team;
 Work with the Lower School Leadership Team in determining and managing a whole curriculum, in
accordance with the abilities and needs of the pupils;
 Develop and co-ordinate strategies to achieve relevant school development priorities that have been
identified;
 Act as a team leader and appraiser in the performance review and appraisal system;
SJHS LS Deputy Head Job Description February 2014
 Encourage the professional development of Lower School staff including the planning of INSET with the
Head of Lower School and the WSLT, and the coordination and running of staff meetings;
 Be involved in the induction of new staff, and the mentoring of PGCE students or those undertaking their
NQT induction;
 Oversee assessment, recording and reporting, and help proofread target sheets and reports;
 Monitor and evaluate the planning with the Key Stage Coordinators to ensure consistency, coherence,
continuity and progression in all areas;
 Participate in the self-evaluation process for academic teaching and learning in the Lower School;
 Promote continuity of the curriculum, assessment and communication between KS2 and KS3;
 Receive telephone calls/texts from staff regarding absence (from 7 a.m. each morning) and be responsible
thereafter for the organisation of daily staff cover in the Lower School, and be prepared to cover classes
himself/herself as necessary;
 Be responsible for organising the lunchtime assistants, staff duties, playground organisation and resources;
 To oversee staff duties in the playground at break time and lunchtime, and record their duties for payment;
 To be responsible for the playground at lunchtime, ordering resources, organising the playground pal system
and dealing with playground issues or incidents, contacting parents when necessary;
 To be responsible for the Lower School Houses, team points and the appointment of House Captains;
 Organise Lower School parental help;
 Understand issues relating to the organisation, ordering, sorting and checking of Lower School stock, and
help with unpacking and distributing the stock on its arrival;
 Promote and develop a partnership with parents which recognises their contribution to their child’s
education;
 To show prospective parents around the Lower School where necessary, including the assessment of
potential entrants to the school;
 Oversee and arrange assessments when necessary;
 Be involved in the organisation, planning and delivery of Lower School assemblies when necessary;
 Oversee Charity work in the Lower School;
 Support school events and functions;
 Responsibility for the Lower School calendar in liaison with the Upper School Deputy Heads;
 To be available for up to a week after the end of the summer term to prepare for the start of the autumn
term in September.
February 2014
SJHS LS Deputy Head Job Description February 2014