Deputy Headteacher

Shorefields; Wickford; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Oakfield Primary School in Wickford seeks an inspirational Deputy Headteacher to drive excellence across the primary phase. You will work with the Headteacher and SLT to shape strategy, culture and safeguarding, ensuring every pupil thrives and staff develop.

The role focuses on inclusion, high standards, and strong leadership across the school. As Designated Safeguarding Lead, you will embed safeguarding best practice, lead curriculum development, and promote continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in primary education.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge with DSL responsibilities.
• Commitment to inclusion, belonging and safeguarding culture.
• Ability to develop, coach and inspire staff.
• Strategic leadership and school improvement planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead safeguarding across the school as the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Shape school improvement through evaluation, planning and evidence.
• Drive curriculum development and high-quality teaching across primary years.
• Collaborate with Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team to set direction.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Curriculum development

Inclusion & safeguarding

Staff coaching

Whole-school improvement

Job description

Job Ref No. ECC2004-183L Position Type: Deputy Headteacher Pay Range: L9 - L12

Position Start Date: 12/04/2027 Contract Type: Full-time Contract Term: Permanent

Application Close: 03/12/2026 Midnight Date of Interviews: 16th December 2026

Pay Range: L9-L12
Start Date: 12th April 2027
Contract Type: Full Time / Permanent
Applications Close: Midnight, 3rd December 2026
Interview Date: 16th December 2026

Oakfield Primary School is seeking to appoint an inspirational, dynamic and forward-thinking Deputy Headteacher who has the drive, creativity and commitment to deliver excellence in all areas of school life.

This is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to work alongside the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team to shape the next phase of Oakfield's journey. The successful candidate will be an advocate for children, a champion of inclusion, belonging and safeguarding, and a strategic leader who is passionate about developing both pupils and staff to achieve their full potential. As Designated Safeguarding Lead, they will play a pivotal role in ensuring the highest standards of safeguarding culture, practice and compliance across the school. They will have a strong understanding of school improvement, curriculum development and the primary phase and will play a key role in shaping the future direction of the school.

School Vision

Unlock the potential of every child.

We are looking to appoint someone who will:

• Provide innovative opportunities for all children to shine and achieve.
• Have strong values, high expectations of themselves and others and a proven ability to lead and motivate the whole school community.
• Have successful teaching and leadership experience across the primary age range, ideally including leadership responsibility in more than one key stage.
• Lead and secure the highest quality teaching and learning across the school.
• Have the skills, vision and determination to drive continual school improvement.
• Have a commitment to an inclusive learning environment.
• Put children at the heart of every decision they make.
• Lead safeguarding across the school as the Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring the highest standards of child protection, safeguarding practice and statutory compliance.
• Have a proven ability to develop, coach and inspire others to achieve their potential.
• Have a proven ability to contribute strategically to school improvement through evaluation, planning and the effective use of evidence.
• Promote a culture of continuous professional development and collaborative improvement.
• Share our belief that every child can succeed and be committed to unlocking the potential of every child.

We can offer you:

• Happy, confident children who enjoy learning and are proud of their school.
• Dedicated, talented and professional teaching and support staff.
• Supportive parents, governors and a wider school community.
• The opportunity to influence and lead strategic school improvement as part of the Senior Leadership Team.
• A culture that values collaboration, inclusion, wellbeing and professional growth.
• A supportive coaching culture that values reflection, growth and the development of leadership at all levels.
• High-quality professional development and leadership opportunities.
• The opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of children and families.

Information About the School

At Oakfield Primary School, we have high expectations for our children. We pride ourselves on the high-quality education we provide and the rich range of opportunities available through our curriculum and wider school experiences.

We are committed to ensuring that every child is known, valued and supported to achieve their full potential. We believe children thrive when they feel a genuine sense of belonging and are part of a community where they are respected, encouraged and celebrated.

The wellbeing of our children is central to everything we do. We work closely with families to ensure that children receive the support they need to succeed both academically and personally.

Safeguarding is at the heart of our work. We are committed to creating a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment where children feel secure, supported and able to thrive.

Oakfield is a school that has undergone significant transformation in recent years and is ambitious for the future. We are proud of the significant improvements we have achieved and are committed to continual improvement. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and driven leader to join our team and help shape the next stage of our journey, ensuring that every child thrives and that our school continues to go from strength to strength.

Oakfield Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check, medical clearance and satisfactory references. We are an equal opportunities employer.

We welcome applications from the whole community regardless of gender, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or age.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.