Deputy Headteacher

The Harbour School; Twickenham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Harbour School is seeking a dedicated leader to inspire and direct the school, supported by Meridian Trust. You will shape the future vision, oversee improvement planning, and promote a collaborative culture across staff and pupils to achieve outstanding outcomes.

With responsibility for line managing middle leaders and implementing high standards, you will set ambitious goals for all pupils and ensure excellent provision and support within the school community.

Qualifications

• Evidence of curricular and pastoral responsibilities.
• Excellent classroom practitioner.
• Excellent subject knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Support the SLT in establishing a vision for the future of the school and partnerships.
• Lead improvement planning aligned with priorities and local initiatives.
• Promote a culture of teamwork where views of all members are valued.
• Implement policies, priorities and expectations to set a high standard.
• Line manage middle leaders to ensure staff are effectively led and outcomes are strong.
• Set ambitious goals for pupils of all backgrounds and abilities.

Skills

Excellent classroom practitioner

Excellent subject knowledge

Curricular responsibilities

Pastoral responsibilities

Leadership and vision

Line management

Teamwork and collaboration

Job description

We are looking for a dedicated, hardworking, and passionate practitioner, who can inspire and assist leading our school.

The Harbour School provides a high quality of education for the children. We have a strong reputation in the local community, and we are committed to providing the best education for all the children in our school. You will be working with a very talented and hard-working team of staff who are all dedicated professionals - a key part of our ethos is collaboration, and we enjoy working together to achieve the best possible outcomes for our children.

The Opportunity

• Support the SLT in establishing a vision for the future of the school and partnerships, demonstrating inspirational leadership.
• Play a lead role in the Academy improvement planning process, taking account of the agreed priorities of the Academy and how these link with national and local initiatives.
• Promote a culture of teamwork, in which views of all members of the Academy are valued and considered.
• Work to a high standard in implementing agreed policies, priorities, and expectations, so to set a good example to other colleagues.
• Line manage middle leaders ensuring that their associate staff are professionally managed, effectively led and focussed on high quality provision and outcomes.
• Set goals that stretch and challenge pupils of all backgrounds, abilities, and dispositions.

The ideal candidate

• Excellent classroom practitioner.
• Excellent subject knowledge.
• Evidence of both curricular and pastoral responsibilities.
• High personal standards in terms of attendance, punctuality and organising workload.

The Harbour School currently caters for boys from 5-16 years who have an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP) for social, emotional and mental health needs. We currently have 100 pupils on roll who attend from all over the Cambridgeshire area and sometimes from outside the county. Our school is situated in rural Cambridgeshire. The generous grounds, including the wooded area and pond, are fully utilised through enrichment activities throughout the school day.

About Meridian Trust -

Meridian Trust is a values-led organisation formed in 2011 that has risen to be one of the highest-performing academy trusts in the country. The Trust is founded on its commitment to a high-quality educational provision for all at the heart of local communities. Meridian currently operates primary, secondary and special schools across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.

Meridian Trust offers a wealth of fantastic benefits for teaching and support staff which are highlighted below but are not limited to -

• Apprenticeship and CPD opportunities which allow you to gain specialist knowledge in a role you are passionate about developing in
• Opportunity to jump start your career in teaching through our dedicated Initial Teacher Training Team (ITT)
• Support for mental health and wellbeing through our Employee Assistance Programme and other resources
• Cycle to work scheme
• Defined benefit local government or Teacher’s pension scheme
• Healthcare benefits including free eye test vouchers and flu vaccinations
• Free on-site parking
• Discounts on a wide range of benefits from everyday essentials to holidays

To explore our full range of benefits, please visit https://www.meridiantrust.co.uk/jobs-and-training/benefits/.

Closing date for applications: 23rd September 2026

Interviews will be held on: 28th September 2026

The Trust is committed to diversity and inclusion and equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments will be subject to pre-employment checks, including an enhanced check with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS), as well as online searches.