Assistant Headteacher (Science & Pastoral Leadership)

Tela; Cambridge; Remote; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Cambridge Maths School (CMS) is seeking an exceptional Assistant Headteacher to join the ambitious leadership team. The role combines strategic science leadership with a major pastoral or whole-school portfolio, developed in association with the Eastern Learning Alliance.

We offer an opportunity to shape a distinctive sixth form experience, drive excellence across STEM teaching, and support widening participation within a high-achieving, university-linked environment.

Qualifications

• Outstanding classroom practitioner with a strong track record of securing excellent outcomes.
• Successful middle or senior leadership experience within a secondary school or sixth form setting.
• Experience leading, developing and inspiring staff.
• Strong understanding of effective pastoral systems and student support.

Responsibilities

• Lead and line manage the Science Department (Biology, Chemistry, Physics).
• Drive excellence in teaching, learning, curriculum development and assessment across the sciences.
• Support and develop middle leaders and classroom teachers.
• Monitor student progress and outcomes across the department to maximise potential.
• Collaborate with the Headteacher and SLT to deliver the school’s strategic priorities.

Skills

Leadership

Science leadership

Pastoral leadership

Curriculum development

Staff development

Job description

Assistant Headteacher (Science & Pastoral Leadership)

Cambridge Maths School

Leadership Scale

Contract

Permanent / Part or Full Time

Start Date

January, 2027

Apply By

October 13, 2026

Email

[e-mail]

Join one of the UK’s most distinctive and successful sixth form schools

Cambridge Maths School (CMS) is seeking to appoint an exceptional Assistant Headteacher to join our ambitious and innovative leadership team.

Developed in association with the University of Cambridge, Cambridge Maths School is a specialist sixth form for students with a passion and aptitude for mathematics and the mathematical sciences. Located in purpose-built facilities in the heart of Cambridge, the school offers A Levels in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science and Physics.

Since opening in 2023, CMS has rapidly established itself as one of the country’s most successful sixth forms. We combine academic excellence with a deep commitment to widening participation, ensuring that talented young people from all backgrounds can access an outstanding education and progress to the most competitive university courses and careers.

This is an exciting opportunity for an outstanding leader to help shape the next phase of the school’s development.

The Role

We are seeking an exceptional school leader who will provide strategic leadership of the Science Department while also taking responsibility for a significant pastoral or whole-school leadership area.

The successful candidate will:

• Lead and line manage the Science Department, overseeing Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
• Drive excellence in teaching, learning, curriculum development and assessment across the sciences.
• Support and develop middle leaders and classroom teachers.
• Monitor student progress and outcomes across the department, ensuring all students achieve their potential.
• Work closely with the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team to deliver the school’s strategic priorities.
• Contribute to the continued development of a distinctive and exceptional sixth form experience.
• Undertake a significant pastoral or strategic whole-school leadership responsibility, to be agreed with the successful candidate.

The exact leadership portfolio will be discussed at interview and will reflect the successful candidate’s experience, expertise and interests.

Potential Areas of Whole-School Leadership

These may include one or more of the following:

• Student wellbeing and mental health
• Safeguarding and child protection
• Attendance and student engagement
• Behaviour and culture
• Careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG)
• Student leadership and student voice
• Outreach and widening participation
• Super-curricular and enrichment programmes
• Equality, diversity and inclusion
• Pastoral systems

We are keen to shape the role around the strengths of the successful candidate and welcome applications from leaders with a range of experiences and backgrounds.

About You

We are looking for a candidate who:

• Is an outstanding classroom practitioner with a strong track record of securing excellent outcomes.
• Has successful middle or senior leadership experience within a secondary school or sixth form setting.
• Has experience of leading, developing and inspiring staff.
• Possesses a strong understanding of effective pastoral systems and student support.
• Has the vision, credibility and interpersonal skills to lead and influence others.
• Is committed to inclusion, widening participation and educational excellence.
• Has excellent organisational, communication and strategic leadership skills.
• Shares the values and ethos of Cambridge Maths School and the Eastern Learning Alliance.

Whether you are an experienced Assistant Headteacher seeking a new challenge or an exceptional middle leader ready to take the next step into senior leadership, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Why Join Cambridge Maths School?

Working at CMS offers a unique opportunity to help shape one of the UK’s most innovative and academically ambitious schools.

We offer:

• Exceptionally motivated and intellectually curious students.
• A collaborative, ambitious and supportive staff team.
• Close links with the University of Cambridge and leading organisations across academia and industry.
• Outstanding opportunities for professional development and leadership growth.
• A genuine opportunity to shape the future direction of a growing and successful school.
• A reduced teaching allocation to support leadership responsibilities.
• Extensive opportunities to contribute to outreach, university partnerships and widening participation initiatives.

What can ELA offer you?

ELA offer a sector leading staff benefits offer alongside bespoke, high quality CPD programmes, cross-trust events, and exceptional opportunities for career development within our innovative family of schools.

• ELA know that our strength is our people, so we prioritise staff wellbeing, retention and development. Over 95% of ELA staff say they’re proud to work in their school.
• ELA are firm believers in the power of recognising, celebrating, and rewarding talent: our track record in terms of retention, internal promotion opportunities and wider career development is excellent.
• ELA staff enjoy a sector leading staff benefits package alongside bespoke, high quality CPD programmes, cross-trust events, and exceptional opportunities for career development within our innovative family of schools.
• You can find out all about our Trust and staff offer here .

ELA staff benefits include:

• Reduced contact time to enable professional development;
• EAP with access to counselling & physiotherapy;
• Paid annual family day;
• Cycle to work & electric car lease schemes;
• Enhanced parental leave;
• Ticket ballots for high profile events;
• Generous annual leave allowance for support staff;
• Discounted gym membership for all staff.

Our Trust is committed to equal opportunities, to safeguarding and the promotion of the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff are expected to share this commitment and undergo the appropriate checks. All positions within the Trust are subject to enhanced DBS checks and satisfactory references along with a Certificate of Good Conduct if applicable. Only applications submitted on using the ELA application form will be accepted. We do not accept applications by CV. You can view our safeguarding policy here .

Please send a completed application form and covering letter to: Alicja Kowalska, Cambridge Maths School, 119 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 2AZ or e-mail: [e-mail] . Due to the high volume of applicants, we receive for certain roles, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier that the advertised date if we have received applications that reach the criteria.

All shortlisted applicants should expect to be called for interview no more than 5 working days after the closing date. If you have not heard from us by then, your application has not been successful. Visits to Cambridge Maths School are welcome.