Assistant Head - Director of Studies

St Dunstan's College; Catford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution located in Catford is seeking an Assistant Head - Director of Studies who is dynamic and innovative. The role involves overseeing students' academic development, managing support staff, and collaborating with other teams to ensure high academic standards. Applicants must have a strong background in school leadership, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to safeguarding. The position starts in September 2026.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in school middle leadership required.
• Strong facility with numbers and systems necessary.
• Commitment to safeguarding and child protection is essential.

Responsibilities

• Oversee pupils' academic development and reporting.
• Line manage support staff and Heads of Department.
• Collaborate with academic and support staff.
• Empower stakeholders to enact the Senior School vision.
• Demonstrate strategic thinking and communication.

Skills

Dynamic and innovative teaching

Experience in school middle leadership

Strategic thinking

Strong communication skills

Ability to work autonomously

Leadership abilities

Education

Teaching qualification

Job description

Overview

The Assistant Head - Director of Studies role is ideal for a dynamic, innovative, and enthusiastic teacher with proven experience in school middle leadership. This senior post will join an experienced and flexible team, whose portfolios are reviewed annually to ensure ongoing professional development and shared expertise.

The successful candidate will oversee pupils\' scholarly development, progress, assessment and reporting to ensure the school\'s academic standards and results are exemplary. They will also oversee the writing and implementation of the timetable, working collaboratively with the Senior School Timetabler.

Responsibilities

• Line manage several support staff colleagues, alongside a number of Heads of Department, at least one Head of Year, and work closely with the Digital Services Team and SEND leads to ensure effective compliance with Exam Access Arrangements.
• Collaborate with the wider academic, pastoral, and support staff as appropriate to the role and its responsibilities.
• Empower Senior School stakeholders to believe in and enact the Senior School vision; be an excellent team player who thrives in a fast-paced, ambitious, and aspirational environment.
• Demonstrate the ability to work with multiple stakeholders while retaining the self-belief to work autonomously and take ownership of this vital part of Senior School life.
• Demonstrate strong facility with numbers and systems, allied with the ability to think strategically and communicate in a way that engages others.
• As a key part of Academic leadership, sit on the Senior School Leadership Team as an Assistant Head and work closely with the Deputy Head Academic, who line manages this role.

Timetable and Start

• Applications Close: 9am Monday 12 January 2026
• Longlist Interviews: w/c 19 January 2026
• Shortlist Interviews: w/c 26 January 2026
• Start Date: September 2026

Safeguarding and Compliance

The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers, checks relating to prohibitions, sanctions and restrictions on teaching and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) with children\'s barred list check. The School will carry out online searches on shortlisted applicants and all applicants will be required to provide details of their online profile, including social media accounts, as part of their application.

The safeguarding responsibilities of the post include promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom they are responsible for or with whom they come into contact. All staff are required to adhere to, and ensure compliance with, the School\'s safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures at all times, and to complete appropriate training.

If, in the course of carrying out their duties, the post-holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the school, they must report any concerns to the School\'s Safeguarding Lead, or in relation to concerns regarding a member of staff, the Head.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions on a self-declaration form in advance of attending an interview (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.