Assistant Headteacher, KPI EDUCATION

Guardian Jobs; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent CPD and leadership develop

Job summary

Guardian Jobs is recruiting an Assistant Headteacher for a London secondary school with an October 2026 or January 2027 start. This permanent, full‑time role offers genuine whole‑school leadership responsibility and a clear pathway toward Deputy Headteacher, with excellent CPD and leadership development.

You will work with the Headteacher and SLT to shape teaching, culture and outcomes, influence curriculum and behaviour, and shape the remit around your strengths while maintaining a visible,

Qualifications

• QTS with a strong track record of improving outcomes.
• Evidence that your impact extends beyond your own classroom.
• Presence, credibility, ambition and the ability to inspire others.

Responsibilities

• Lead teaching and learning, curriculum, behaviour, culture and outcomes.
• Collaborate with Headteacher and SLT to drive school improvement.
• Provide leadership development and contribute to strategy and CPD.

Skills

Visible leadership

Influence and presence

Ambition and credibility

Staff development

Education

QTS

Leadership experience

Job description

Assistant Headteacher – London

Ready for SLT? This Could Be the Career Move That Changes Everything.

October 2026 or January 2027 Start | Permanent | Leadership Scale £59,864–£88,721

Are you an ambitious Assistant Headteacher, experienced Middle Leader or outstanding classroom practitioner ready to make a genuine impact at whole-school level?

Do you want a leadership role where you'll have real influence, genuine autonomy and a clear pathway towards Deputy Headship?

What if your next school gave you the opportunity to shape teaching, culture and outcomes rather than simply adding another title to your CV?

KPI Education is exclusively supporting an ambitious and rapidly improving secondary school in London to appoint an exceptional Assistant Headteacher for either October 2026 or January 2027.

The school name is being kept confidential at this stage – but for the right leader, this is an opportunity worth a conversation.

Assistant Headteacher – The Headlines

• Assistant Headteacher
• London secondary school
• £59,864–£88,721 – Leadership Scale
• Permanent, full‑time position
• October 2026 or January 2027 start
• Genuine whole‑school leadership responsibility
• Join an ambitious and supportive Headteacher and SLT
• Opportunity to influence teaching, learning, standards and school culture
• Scope to shape the remit around the successful candidate's strengths
• Excellent CPD and leadership development
• Genuine pathway towards Deputy Headteacher
• Confidential conversations welcomed before application

This Isn't a "Sit in Meetings" Leadership Role

The Headteacher is looking for someone who wants to be visible, influential and involved.

Someone who can walk into a classroom and recognise great teaching.

Someone who can challenge underperformance while bringing staff with them.

Someone pupils respect, teachers trust and senior leaders can rely upon.

The exact portfolio can be shaped around the successful candidate, with potential responsibility spanning:

Teaching & Learning | Curriculum | Behaviour & Culture | Outcomes | Inclusion | Personal Development | Staff Development

You will work directly alongside the Headteacher and wider SLT to drive improvement while retaining a strong connection to what actually happens in classrooms.

Who Should Apply?

You don't necessarily need to already be an Assistant Headteacher.

This school is equally interested in exceptional:

• Assistant Headteachers
• Associate Assistant Headteachers
• Heads of Department
• Heads of Faculty
• Lead Practitioners
• Pastoral Leaders
• Teaching & Learning Leaders
• Experienced Middle Leaders ready for SLT

You will need QTS, a strong record of improving outcomes and evidence that your impact extends beyond your own classroom.

More importantly, you'll need presence, credibility, ambition and the ability to inspire others.

Why Is This One Different?

Because the school isn't looking for somebody to simply maintain what already exists.

They're looking for a leader who wants to build something.

You’ll be joining at an exciting point in the school's development, with a Headteacher who wants fresh thinking, high standards and leaders who aren't afraid to challenge the status quo.

For somebody with ambitions of becoming a Deputy Headteacher and potentially a future Headteacher, the exposure and responsibility available could make this a significant career move.

Interested? Have a Confidential Conversation First.

You don't need to decide whether you want the job from an advert.

But if you're currently reading this thinking "this sounds like my next move", it's worth finding out more.

Applications are welcomed from candidates available for October 2026 or January 2027.

The strongest leadership opportunities rarely stay available for long.