Junior School Deputy Head

International Schools Today; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

King's College School in London seeks a Deputy Head to serve as the headmaster's principal deputy, guiding the junior school’s leadership, governance and day-to-day operations.

The successful candidate will deputise for the headmaster when required and work with academic, pastoral and co-curricular teams to ensure coherent delivery and organisational excellence.

Qualifications

• Substantial leadership experience in a high-performing school.
• Outstanding organisational ability with multi-priority management.
• Strong record coordinating school-wide processes and ensuring timely delivery.
• Excellent judgement and confident decision-making under pressure.
• High work ethic, reliability and attention to detail.
• Ability to deputise for the head and build trust with staff and parents.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and credibility with colleagues and pupils.
• Commitment to collaboration and shared responsibility across the school.

Responsibilities

• Deputise fully for the headmaster when required.
• Coordinate across academic, pastoral, co-curricular and operational activity.
• Lead and participate actively in the wider co-curricular life of the school.
• Demonstrate leadership with strategic perspective and effective implementation.

Skills

Leadership experience

Organisational ability

Strategic thinking

Interpersonal skills

Emotional intelligence

Decisive under pressure

Collaboration

Institutional knowledge

Job description

Required from September 2027

The deputy head is the headmaster's principal deputy and plays a central role in the leadership, organisation and day-to-day operation of the junior school. The post requires a broad understanding of the school, excellent judgement, exceptional organisation and the ability to build strong and trusting relationships with pupils, staff, parents and colleagues across King's.

The deputy head deputises fully for the headmaster when required and acts as the principal point of coordination across the school's academic, pastoral, co-curricular and operational activity. The assistant heads (academic, pastoral and co-curricular) report directly to the headmaster; the deputy head works closely with them to ensure that the school operates coherently and effectively.

The post carries a modest teaching commitment, and the deputy head is expected to contribute actively to the wider co-curricular life of the school. The successful candidate will be an exceptional school leader with the judgement, energy and organisational ability to operate confidently across the full life of the junior school.

Essential

1. substantial experience of leadership in a high-performing school
2. outstanding organisational ability and the capacity to manage several complex and competing priorities simultaneously
3. a strong record of coordinating significant school-wide processes and ensuring that they are delivered accurately, calmly and on time
4. excellent judgement and the confidence to make sound decisions without unnecessary escalation
5. a very strong work ethic, reliability and close attention to detail
6. the ability to anticipate operational problems, identify solutions and follow actions through to completion
7. excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust with a wide range of colleagues
8. the personal credibility to command the confidence and respect of teaching staff, professional-services colleagues, pupils and parents
9. high levels of emotional intelligence, discretion and sensitivity
10. the ability to remain calm, constructive and decisive when dealing with pressure, uncertainty or competing demands
11. the confidence to deputise fully for the headmaster and represent the junior school credibly in senior whole-school forums
12. an understanding of the importance of institutional knowledge, together with the ability to develop a deep understanding of the people, systems, culture and rhythms of a school
13. a strong commitment to collaboration and collective responsibility, alongside the confidence to take ownership of decisions
14. high expectations of self and others, and evident pride in the quality and presentation of work
15. a visible, approachable and generous presence within the school community
16. an understanding that excellent senior leadership requires both strategic perspective and sustained attention to effective implementation
17. sound educational judgement and credibility as a classroom practitioner
18. a strong commitment to the ethos, values and ambitions of King's and to the education and wellbeing of junior school pupils

Desirable

1. experience of working effectively across more than one phase, section or functional area of a complex school
2. experience of coordinating major school-wide operational systems, for example timetabling, calendars, staffing, assessment and reporting cycles, events or cross-school processes
3. experience of working closely with professional-services teams such as HR, facilities, admissions or health and safety
4. experience of supporting or leading inspection preparation, policy review or compliance processes
5. experience of staff appraisal, recruitment, induction and professional development
6. experience of representing one part of a school within wider institutional leadership structures
7. a strong understanding of the organisational demands of a large, busy and academically ambitious school
8. evidence of successfully improving systems or processes while maintaining strong relationships with colleagues

Closing date: Tuesday 10th November 2026 at 9am

Interviews: Friday 20th November 2026

Early applications are encouraged; interviews may be staged and we may choose to appoint at any time during the application process.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.

King's is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. King's College School is fully committed to the principles of equality, diversity and inclusivity in its recruitment of teaching and support staff.