Assistant Headteacher – Behaviour and Rewards

Unity Schools Partnership; Sudbury; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Impact on life chances

Leadership team support

Professional development

Unity Schools Partnership benefits

Job summary

Thomas Gainsborough School is seeking an exceptional leader to join our Senior Leadership Team as Assistant Headteacher – Behaviour and Rewards. This leadership role focuses on behaviour, attitudes, rewards and recognition to create a calm, ambitious environment where every student can learn and thrive.

The successful candidate will guide behaviour culture, develop reward systems, and work with colleagues to ensure inclusion and high expectations for all students.

Qualifications

• Be an outstanding classroom practitioner with Qualified Teacher Status.
• Have successful leadership experience within a secondary school.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of effective behaviour culture and whole-school systems.
• Experience of leading behaviour, pastoral provision or significant whole-school improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead the school's behaviour culture and systems to support high-quality teaching and learning.
• Drive the whole-school rewards strategy and recognition for achievement, effort, character and contribution.
• Collaborate with pastoral, safeguarding, inclusion and curriculum leaders to ensure consistent systems and positive relationships.

Skills

Qualified Teacher Status

Leadership experience

Behaviour management

Data-driven decisions

Student voice

Inclusion

Interpersonal skills

Job description

Assistant Headteacher – Behaviour and Rewards

Thomas Gainsborough School

Assistant Headteacher – Behaviour and Rewards

Salary: Leadership Scale L12-L16 (fte £70,274 - £77,676 per annum)
Contract : Full TimePermanent
Start Date: January 2027

Thomas Gainsborough School is seeking an exceptional leader to join our Senior Leadership Team as Assistant Headteacher – Behaviour and Rewards.

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious and values-driven leader to play a pivotal role in shaping the culture of our school. Working closely with the Deputy Headteacher – Personal Development, you will provide strategic leadership for behaviour, attitudes, rewards and recognition, ensuring every student can learn and thrive within a calm, respectful and ambitious environment.

We are looking for a leader who believes that high expectations, positive relationships and consistent systems create the conditions for all students to succeed. You will lead the continued development of our behaviour culture, ensuring expectations are clear, routines are embedded and students are supported to make positive choices.

A key aspect of the role will be developing and championing a culture where achievement, effort, character and contribution are recognised and celebrated. You will lead our whole-school rewards strategy, ensuring students feel valued, motivated and connected to school life.

The successful candidate will:

• Be an outstanding classroom practitioner with Qualified Teacher Status.
• Have successful leadership experience within a secondary school setting.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of effective behaviour culture and whole-school behaviour systems.
• Have experience of leading behaviour, pastoral provision or significant whole-school improvement initiatives.
• Be skilled in using data, student voice and first-hand evidence to drive improvement.
• Be committed to inclusion while maintaining consistently high expectations for all students.
• Possess excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to inspire, support and challenge colleagues.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will work collaboratively with pastoral, safeguarding, inclusion and curriculum leaders to ensure our behaviour systems support high-quality teaching and learning, promote positive relationships and enable every student to achieve their potential.

In return, we offer:

• The opportunity to make a significant impact on the life chances of young people.
• A supportive and ambitious leadership team.
• High-quality professional development and leadership training.
• A welcoming and inclusive school community.
• Access to the benefits of working within Unity Schools Partnership.

At Thomas Gainsborough School, our mission is \"Excellence: for each, for all.\" If you share our commitment to creating a culture where every student feels safe, respected and able to flourish, we would love to hear from you.

Closing Date: Thursday 15 October 2026
Interview Date: Thursday 22 October 2026

Unity Schools Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils. All successful candidates will be subject to rigorous pre‑employment checks, including an enhanced DBS. We are also committed to equality, diversity and fair recruitment practices, and we oppose all forms of unlawful discrimination.

We value inclusive working practices and diverse teams. If you wish to work part‑time or as a job‑share, we will accommodate this wherever possible. We particularly welcome applications from under‑represented groups.