Deputy Headteacher

Canterbury Campus and Lavender Campus; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Melbury College Canterbury Campus is seeking a Deputy Headteacher to lead Curriculum, Teaching and Achievement, ensuring high‑quality learning, strong behaviour for learning, and personalised pathways that re‑engage pupils. The role requires a dynamic leader with a track record of improving standards and safeguarding.

You will work alongside the Headteacher to provide vision and direction, drive CPD, and contribute to attendance and propriety multi‑agency work.

Qualifications

• Successful leadership experience in behaviour, attendance or pastoral systems.
• Strong teaching record and high expectations.
• Experience using restorative practices and effective behaviour management.
• Proven ability to motivate and support staff.
• Strong skills in monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
• Ability to lead flexibly and innovatively in a challenging environment.
• Experience supporting pupils with SEMH needs.
• Ability to work effectively with families, schools and external agencies.

Responsibilities

• Lead on Curriculum, Teaching and Achievement to ensure high‑quality learning and personalised pathways.
• Drive improvement strategies, monitor progress, lead CPD, and contribute to safeguarding and multi‑agency work.

Skills

Leadership experience

Strong teaching record

Restorative practices

Motivate and support staff

Monitoring, evaluation & reporting

Flexible and innovative leadership

Experience with SEMH pupils

Engagement with families & externalag…

Job description

Deputy Headteacher – Canterbury Campus

Leadership Scale L11–L15

Full-time

Permanent

Start date: January 2027

Melbury College is seeking an enthusiastic, dynamic and experienced leader to join our Canterbury Campus, a KS3–KS4 Pupil Referral Unit supporting pupils who have been permanently excluded, are on respite, new to the borough or without a school place. We are looking for a flexible, inspirational Deputy Headteacher with a strong commitment to raising standards in behaviour, attitudes, personal development and academic achievement.

This is an exciting opportunity to broaden your leadership experience within a specialist setting for pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. You will work alongside the Headteacher to provide vision, leadership and direction for the continuing development and improvement of Canterbury Campus.

About the Role

You will lead on Curriculum, Teaching and Achievement, ensuring high-quality learning, strong behaviour for learning, and personalised pathways that support pupils to re-engage and succeed. You will drive improvement strategies, monitor progress, lead CPD, and contribute to safeguarding, attendance and multi-agency work.

We are looking for someone with:

• Successful leadership experience in behaviour, attendance or pastoral systems
• A strong teaching record and high expectations
• Experience using restorative practices and effective behaviour management
• Proven ability to motivate and support staff
• Strong skills in monitoring, evaluation and reportingAbility to lead flexibly and innovatively in a challenging environment
• Experience supporting pupils with SEMH needs
• Ability to work effectively with families, schools and external agencies

Melbury College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment. The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, reference checks and online screening. We reserve the right to close the advert early for the right candidate.

Closing date: 5th October 2026

Interview date: 12th October 2026