Deputy Head of School

Deputy Heads of School at Atwood Primary and Ecclesbourne Primary 

Tenable September 2024. Salary Outer London Leadership SCP 7-11

We are seeking to recruit two full time Deputy Heads of School. One of these posts will be based at Atwood Primary School in Sanderstead and one at Ecclesbourne Primary School in Thornton Heath. Each of the successful candidates will work in partnership with their Head of School to ensure excellent leadership in all three key stages. Both schools are part of the Pegasus Academy Trust, a MAT which is responsible for six schools on eight sites in the London borough of Croydon.

Each successful candidate will:

• be an enthusiastic and inspirational leader who can demonstrate they are capable of deputising for the Head of School in their absence;
  
  


• have a track record of identifying areas for development within a primary school setting and leading change, resulting in impactful outcomes;
  
  


• develop positive relationships with all members of staff at their school and with SLT across the Trust,
  
  


• possess integrity and commitment, with a presence engendering confidence and respect from pupils, staff, members of the school’s academy council (MACs) and parents;
  
  


• be an experienced primary practitioner, with outstanding outcomes, strong knowledge and understanding of child development;
  
  


• have a thorough knowledge of current educational thinking, initiatives, issues and matters of pedagogy;
  
  


• be able to demonstrate at interview that they have the strength of character necessary to deal with all matters related to leading and managing staff performance;
  
  


• be committed to the highest standards of education and pastoral care for all pupils;
  
  


• understand and display commitment to equality of opportunity.
  
  

If you are interested in either or both of these roles, please contact Lynne Sampson for more information and to arrange a visit 

Selection will be by a personal statement and, following shortlisting, an interview.

The closing date for applications is Friday 3rd May at 9:30am.

Person Specification

Skills Required

• Understanding the role of Deputy Head of School with proven ability to support the Head and take on the day to day running of the school when required Essential
  
  


• Ability to articulate and share the Trust’s vision for success with all stakeholders Essential
  
  


• Enthusiastic, inspirational leader who has a track record of identifying areas for development within a primary school and leading change, resulting in impactful outcomes Essential
  
  


• Possessing integrity and commitment, with a presence engendering confidence and respect from pupils, staff, members of the school’s academy council (MACs) and parents Essential
  
  


• Commitment to the highest standards of education and pastoral care for all pupils Essential
  
  


• Understanding of, and commitment to, equality of opportunity Essential
  
  


• Ability to lead and manage staff and teams Essential
  
  


• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, (verbal and written with stakeholders beyond the classroom e.g. parents, carers, community, MACs and outside agencies Essential


• Evidence of ability to respond appropriately to critical incidents and handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy Essential
  
  


• Ability to both challenge and support colleagues in order to raise levels of attainment Essential
  
  

Knowledge Base

• Outstanding primary practitioner, with strong knowledge and understanding of child development, the primary curriculum and principles of good practice; child-centred philosophy and approach Essential
  
  


• Knowledge of current educational thinking, initiatives, issues and matters of pedagogy Essential
  
  


• Secure understanding of the Trust’s practice in performance management including capability Essential
  
  


• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures Essential
  
  


• Ability to make secure judgements about the quality of teaching and learning and to robustly challenge underperformance Essential
  
  

Qualifications/Attainment

• QTS Essential
  
  


• Evidence of commitment to CPD e.g. middle manager training, preparation for assistant/deputy headship Desirable
  
  

Experience

• Relevant leadership and management experience in an educational setting (in a middle or senior management position) Essential
  
  


• Experience in more than one school and location, including in an area of diversity Desirable
  
  


• Experience across at least two key stages in a primary school Desirable
  
  


• Confident with the collection and analysis of data in order to judge the impact of school improvement projects undertaken Essential
  
  


• Experience of mentoring and coaching staff Essential
  
  


• Ambitious to become Headteacher/Head of school as next stage in career Essential
  
  

Attitude/approach

• Ability to demonstrate adaptability and flexibility Essential
  
  


• High expectations of oneself, as well as of others Essential
  
  


• Ability to remain calm in sensitive or potentially volatile situations Essential