Deputy Headteacher

Teach Midlands; Burton Latimer; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Meadowside Primary School in Burton Latimer is seeking an exceptional Deputy Headteacher to shape the school’s development journey and drive improvement across teaching, behaviour and welfare.

You will work with the Headteacher to provide strategic and operational leadership, embedding safeguarding, and building capacity among staff through coaching and development. Experience with QTS and DSL training is essential.

Qualifications

• Qualified teacher with a strong record of improving pupil outcomes (QTS).
• Proven leadership experience in a school setting and ability to translate vision into clear plans.
• Holds or undertakes relevant DSL training and knowledge of safeguarding legislation.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with pupils, staff and families.
• Committed to staff development and building a wellbeing-focused culture.
• Resilience and data-informed approach to improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic development to drive teaching standards and pupil achievement.
• Monitor performance data and lead targeted actions for sustained improvement.
• Coach and develop staff; create leadership pathways and succession plans.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) ensuring safeguarding compliance.
• Engage with families and community partners to promote inclusion and wellbeing.

Skills

Leadership

DSL

Safeguarding

QTS

Staff development

Data analysis

Education

QTS with substantial classroom experience

Job description

An exciting leadership opportunity to shape the future of our school and make a lasting difference to pupils, staff and the wider community.

Meadowside is a large, two form entry community primary school in Burton Latimer, near Kettering, with approximately 400 pupils and a nursery on site. The school is an important part of its local community, with a strong sense of pride and belonging. The successful candidate will play a central role in driving school improvement and embedding the school values: of Respect, Responsibility, Reflection and Resilience which underpin the aspirations we have for all our pupils, both in their academic achievement and in their development as confident, thoughtful and responsible individuals. Our pupils are at the heart of the school. We are committed to ensuring every pupil feels safe, valued and able to succeed. We now seek an exceptional Deputy Headteacher to help lead the next phase of school improvement journey.

About the role. Working closely with the Headteacher, you will be a senior leader with both strategic and operational responsibilities. This role is central to driving improvement across the school and embedding our vision in day-to-day practice.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and supporting the strategic development of the school to drive high standards of teaching, learning, behaviour and achievement for all pupils.
• Acting as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), ensuring robust safeguarding practice, statutory compliance and a strong culture of pupil welfare.
• Monitoring school performance, implementing improvement priorities and leading targeted actions to secure improved outcomes.
• Coaching, developing and inspiring staff through professional development and performance management, and contributing to a structured pathway for emerging leaders.
• Building strong relationships with pupils, families, multi-agency partners and the wider community to promote inclusion, attendance and wellbeing.

This post combines whole-school leadership with the opportunity to model excellent practice in teaching, curriculum and pastoral care.

About you — the ideal candidate

We are looking for an ambitious, reflective and personable leader who:

• Is a qualified teacher with a strong record of improving pupil outcomes and significant classroom experience (QTS).
• Has proven leadership experience in a school setting and the ability to translate vision into clear plans that secure improvement.
• Holds or is prepared to undertake relevant DSL training and brings sound knowledge of safeguarding legislation and best practice.
• Demonstrates excellent communication and relationship-building skills, able to work collaboratively with pupils, staff, families and external partners.
• Is committed to staff development, coaching others and nurturing a culture of high expectations and wellbeing.
• Shows resilience, strong organisational skills and a data-informed approach to improving provision and outcomes.

We welcome applications from leaders at different stages of their senior leadership journey provided they can demonstrate the experience and impact required for this role.

What we offer

• Opportunities for leadership development, coaching and access to external networks and training.
• The chance to make a tangible, long-term impact on pupil outcomes and school culture as part of a close-knit community.
• A role where safeguarding, wellbeing and school improvement are at the heart of every decision.

The recruitment timetable is as follows:

Closing date: Midnight, Sunday 22 November 2026

Shortlisting: Week commencing 23 November 2026

Interviews: A two day selection process during the week commencing 7 December 2026

We are seeking an exceptional Deputy Headteacher to join the school on its development journey. This role requires a motivated professional who will shape strategic direction, lead safeguarding (DSL), support staff development, and secure improved outcomes for all pupils. Applicants should hold QTS, relevant safeguarding training (or be prepared to undertake DSL training), and have proven leadership experience.

We are an inclusive employer and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. Thank you for your interest.

Visits to the School. We welcome you to visit us to see what we are doing. Don’t hesitate to contact Mrs Donna Jawo, Executive School Business Manager, at [e-mail] to arrange.

Main Purpose of the Role

• The Deputy Headteacher will support the Headteacher to provide strategic and operational leadership for Meadowside Primary School. Meadowside is a large, two form entry community primary school in Burton Latimer, near Kettering, with approximately 400 pupils and a nursery on site.
• The school is an important part of its local community, with a strong sense of pride and belonging. The successful candidate will play a central role in driving school improvement and embedding the school values: of Respect, Responsibility, Reflection and Resilience which underpin our aspirations for pupils, both in their academic achievement and in their development as confident, thoughtful and responsible pupils.
• This is a pivotal leadership role on the school’s development journey. The Deputy Headteacher will help shape the strategic direction of the school, ensure high standards of teaching, learning, behaviour and welfare, and create a culture in which every pupil is safe, valued and empowered to succeed.
• The role combines whole-school strategic responsibility with hands‑on operational leadership to secure excellent outcomes for all pupils and to develop staff professional capacity.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Strategic Leadership and School Improvement

• Lead and support the strategic development, driving standards of teaching, learning, behaviour and achievement for all pupils in line with the school’s vision and values.
• Work closely with the Headteacher, senior leadership team and governing body to develop, implement and monitor the school improvement plan and priorities.
• Monitor school performance data and lead targeted actions to secure sustained improvement in outcomes and progress for all groups of pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND.
• Lead projects that contribute to whole-school improvement and the development of teaching and learning across the school.

Teaching, Curriculum and Assessment

• Establish and sustain high-quality teaching and learning across the school based on evidence-informed practice.
• Oversee curriculum implementation and ensure it is broad, coherent and age-appropriate.
• Ensure valid, reliable and proportionate assessment systems are in place to evaluate pupils’ knowledge and understanding and to inform teaching.
• Participate in teaching where appropriate and model outstanding classroom practice.

Leadership, Staff Development and Performance Management

• Coach, develop and inspire staff through effective leadership, professional development, and performance management.
• Contribute to the development of a structured leadership pathway and support teachers to embark on and progress through leadership roles.
• Line-manage designated staff, ensuring professional standards, appraisal targets and bespoke development plans are in place and reviewed.
• Promote a culture of staff wellbeing, high professional standards and continuous improvement.

Behaviour, Attendance and Pastoral Leadership

• Promote high standards of behaviour based on clear rules and routines, ensuring consistency across the school.
• Lead approaches to improve attendance, engagement and punctuality, and work with families to reduce persistent absence.
• Ensure pastoral systems support pupils’ personal development, resilience and readiness for the next phase of education.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Responsibilities

• Act as the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring robust safeguarding practises, timely referral and liaison with external agencies and statutory partners.
• Ensure compliance with statutory guidance (including Keeping Children Safe in Education) and that safeguarding policies and procedures are understood and implemented by all staff.
• Provide advice, training and support to staff in relation to child protection concerns, and maintain accurate records and oversight of cases.

Community Engagement and External Partnerships

• Build strong relationships with pupils, families, governors, multi‑agency partners and the wider community to promote inclusion, wellbeing and opportunities for pupils.
• Represent the school in local networks and partnerships to support school improvement, inclusion and community cohesion.

Operational and Organisational Duties

• Lead aspects of day-to-day school management and act on behalf of the Headteacher as required.
• Ensure compliance with statutory duties, school policies and procedures (including health & safety, safeguarding, and statutory reporting).
• Contribute to recruitment, deployment and performance management of staff, and the effective use of resources delegated to the role.

Additional Duties

• Provide cover and leadership presence in unforeseen circumstances when other senior leaders are unavailable.
• Undertake any other duties reasonably delegated by the Headteacher in support of the school’s aims.

Skills and Competencies

• Strategic leadership: ability to translate vision into clear plans, set priorities, and drive whole-school improvement.
• Educational expertise: deep knowledge of teaching, curriculum design, assessment and approaches that secure excellent pupil outcomes.
• Safeguarding expertise: up-to-date knowledge of child protection legislation and statutory guidance and the ability to lead safeguarding across the school (DSL).
• People leadership: experience of coaching, developing and managing staff, with strong skills in performance management and professional development.
• Data-informed decision-making: ability to interpret performance data and use evidence to prioritise and evaluate interventions.
• Communication and relationship building: excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust with pupils, staff, parents, governors and external partners.
• Organisation and resilience: strong organisational skills, the ability to manage competing priorities and remain calm under pressure.
• Inclusion and pastoral care: commitment to inclusion, pupil wellbeing and the ability to lead effective pastoral systems.
• Administrative and statutory knowledge: understanding of school governance, statutory responsibilities, SEND Code of Practice and relevant education legislation.
• Qualifications and technical skills:
  • Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with substantial classroom experience and a proven track record of improving pupil outcomes.
  • Relevant safeguarding qualification/training (e.g. DSL training).
  • Proven leadership experience within a school setting appropriate to Leadership pay scale responsibilities.

Professional Development

• The school will support continuous professional growth through tailored leadership development, coaching and access to external networks and training.
• The Deputy Headteacher will have opportunities to lead development programmes, deepen specialist knowledge (safeguarding, curriculum leadership, inclusion), and pursue formal leadership qualifications or NPQs where appropriate.
• Professional development will be aligned with the school’s vision and values and the school’s improvement priorities as outlined in the school improvement plan.

Safeguarding

• Safeguarding is a core responsibility and priority of the Deputy Headteacher role. The postholder must ensure that safeguarding and pupil welfare are integral to all aspects of school life.
• Specific safeguarding duties include:
  • Acting as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the school, or deputising as required, and maintaining up-to-date DSL training and practice.
  • Ensuring timely reporting, referral and record-keeping for safeguarding concerns and coordinating multi-agency working with children’s social care and other professionals.
  • Ensuring staff receive appropriate safeguarding training, understand their responsibilities and apply the school’s safeguarding policies consistently.
  • Keeping abreast of statutory guidance (including Keeping Children Safe in Education) and ensuring policies, practice and record-keeping comply with current legislation.
  • Promoting a culture where pupils feel safe to raise concerns and where staff are vigilant and proactive in identifying risks to pupil welfare.

Working Arrangements and Accountability

• The Deputy Headteacher is accountable to the Headteacher and works closely with governors, the senior leadership team and middle leaders.
• The role requires flexibility in working patterns to meet the needs of the school, occasional evening and out-of-hours attendance for meetings and events, and the ability to deputise for the Headteacher when required.

Equality, Diversity and Professional Conduct

• The Deputy Headteacher will uphold public trust in the profession, maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour, and promote equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of school life.
• The postholder must have regard for the school’s policies and statutory frameworks concerning professional duties and conduct.

This job description is not an exhaustive list of duties and the postholder will be expected to undertake tasks commensurate with the responsibilities of the Leadership pay scale and the needs of the school.