Vice Principal

Houstone School; Dunstable; On-site; GBP 74,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

Houstone School invites an exceptional Vice-Principal to provide strategic leadership of culture, inclusion, attendance, pastoral provision and pupil experience.

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the successful candidate will shape the school's vision, lead Assistant Principals, uphold high expectations, and drive improvement across behaviour, safeguarding and personal development.

Qualifications

• Exceptional Vice-Principal with strategic leadership of culture, inclusion, attendance and pupil experience.
• Experience leading Senior Leadership Team and developing Assistant Principals.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic development of culture, inclusion and pupil experience across the school.
• Line manage Assistant Principals responsible for Behaviour & Attendance and Personal Development & Wellbeing.
• Ensure safeguarding, attendance and achievement meet high standards.
• Develop leadership capacity within pastoral teams and align with the school vision.
• Engage with parents, external agencies and governance reporting.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Pastoral care

Team development

Governance & accountability

Job description

Vice Principal

Houstone School is seeking an exceptional Vice-Principal to provide strategic leadership of culture, inclusion, attendance, pastoral provision and pupil experience.

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the successful candidate will help ensure that our values of Aspiration, Endeavour and Respect are evident in every aspect of school life. They will lead the further development of a culture where pupils are known, valued and challenged to achieve highly, while ensuring that our pastoral systems complement our ambitious academic curriculum and high expectations.

A significant feature of this role is the leadership and development of Assistant Principals who hold operational responsibility for Behaviour & Attendance and Personal Development & Wellbeing. The Vice Principal will provide strategic direction, accountability, challenge and support to ensure these areas operate effectively and align with the school's vision and values.

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape school improvement at the highest level and contribute significantly to the continued success and future growth of Houstone School.

WHY THIS ROLE IS DIFFERENT

This is not a traditional pastoral Vice Principal role.

At Houstone School, operational leadership of Behaviour and Safeguarding sits with Assistant Principals who hold direct responsibility for these areas. The Vice Principal's role is focused on strategic leadership, organisational coherence, leadership development and the continual improvement of the pupil experience. A new SENDCO will be recruited that will sit within this remit too, and a high-expectations approach to Inclusion will form a big part of the job.

You will lead through action, ensuring behaviour, safeguarding, attendance, inclusion and personal development operate as a coherent system that supports exceptional outcomes for every pupil. You will need to be rooted in the detail - we have a roll your sleeves up approach and commit to working hard for each other and the pupils we serve.

Working closely with the Principal, you will help shape the strategic direction of the school and helping the school develop into something world-class.

WHY JOIN HOUSTONE SCHOOL?

Houstone School is a school with ambition.

We believe in:

A culture rooted in Aspiration, Endeavour and Respect.

A traditional academic curriculum taught to an exceptionally high standard.

High expectations of behaviour, conduct and achievement

Developing the whole child through enrichment, leadership and personal development opportunities

Supporting and investing in our staff through professional growth and leadership development.

Serving our local community and transforming life chances for young people

This is an exceptional opportunity for an ambitious and talented leader to shape the future of a growing and successful school.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

Lead the strategic development of culture, Inclusion and pupil experience across the school.

Contribute to whole-school improvement planning, self-evaluation and strategic decision-making.

Ensure pastoral systems support excellent attendance, behaviour, safeguarding and achievement outcomes.

Develop and implement strategies that promote high aspirations and strong pupil engagement.

Lead on strategic priorities as determined by the Principal.

Leadership of Assistant Principals

Line manage Assistant Principals responsible for Behaviour & Attendance and Personal Development & Wellbeing as well as a new SENDCO.

Hold leaders accountable for delivering high standards and measurable impact.

Develop leadership capacity within pastoral teams at all levels.

Ensure consistency and alignment between various pastoral teams in the school

Quality assure systems, processes and outcomes.

Inclusion

Lead strategies that promote positive behaviour, high expectations and exceptional outcomes for all pupils, especially the most disadvantaged.

Ensure vulnerable pupils receive effective support and intervention, including forging effective working relationships with external professionals.

Remove barriers to learning and achievement.

Personal Development

Ensure pupils benefit from high-quality enrichment opportunities.

Promote pupil leadership and pupil voice.

Support the development of character, resilience and aspiration.

Stakeholder Engagement

Develop productive relationships with parents and carers.

Work effectively with external agencies and educational partners.

Represent the school within the wider community.

Support governance reporting and accountability processes.

Job specifics

Start Date January or April 2027 (or sooner by agreement)

Salary AS Leadership 15-19 £73,790-£81,411 dependent on experience

Job role Full time, Permanent

The Trust reserves the right to interview and appoint a suitable candidate before the deadline date.

Safeguarding

The safeguarding and welfare of children is paramount and all our staff share this view. Applicants must be willing to undergo safeguarding and child protection checks including with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.