Deputy Head Teacher

Main Purpose and Qualities

The Deputy Headteacher will work under the direction of the  Headteacher and take a major role in:

• Formulating the aims and objectives of the school 
• Establishing policies for achieving these aims and objectives
• Managing staff and resources to that end
• Monitoring progress towards the achievement of the school’s aims and objectives
• Provide leadership and management of the teaching and learning of all primary and secondary learners. 
• In partnership will be responsible for ensuring the educational success of the School within the overall framework of the vision, values and ethos of the directors as well as the school’s development plan. 
• Take a lead role in the monitoring and evaluation of standards across the whole school and to be a leading professional
• Actively promoting effective teaching and learning practices across the school with a deliberate focus on learner progress from starting points.
• Uphold public trust in school leadership and maintain high standards of ethics, behaviour and professional conduct.
• Network and build positive and respectful relationships across the school community.
• Support the school in expanding across all key stages.
• Serve in the best interest of the school’s pupils

This is a senior post within the school’s staffing structure, the Deputy Headteacher will be required to meet the general requirements of the post as specified in leadership standards. 

In addition, they will be required to deputise for the Headteacher in their absence, and  fulfil any reasonable expectations as directed by the Headteacher.

The post holder will be expected to network and liaise across the range of external providers, schools, community, and coordinator networks, to ensure a consistency of approach regarding standards, support, transition and high-quality learning and teaching.

Support the school in expanding up and down i.e. EYFS, KS3 and above.

Duties and Responsibilities

School Culture and behaviour

      Under the direction of the headteacher, the deputy headteacher will:

• Work alongside the senior leadership team (SLT) and other staff members to create a culture where pupils experience a positive and enriching school life
• Uphold educational standards in order to prepare pupils from all backgrounds for their next phase of education and life
• Ensure a culture of staff professionalism
• Encourage high standards of behaviour from pupils, built on rules and routines that are understood by staff and pupils, and clearly demonstrated by all adults in school
• Use consistent and fair approaches to managing behaviour, in line with the school’s behaviour policy

    Teaching, curriculum and assessment

     Under the direction of the headteacher, the deputy headteacher will:

• Establish and sustain high-quality teaching across all subjects and phases, based on evidence
• Ensure teaching is underpinned by subject expertise 
• Effectively use formative assessment to inform strategy and decisions
• Ensure the teaching of a broad, structured and coherent curriculum
• Establish curriculum leadership, including subject leaders with relevant expertise and access to professional networks and communities
• Use valid, reliable and proportionate approaches to assessing pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the curriculum 
• Ensure the use of evidence-informed approaches to reading so that all pupils are taught to read
• Promote a culture and practices that enables all pupils to access the curriculum and be proactive in their own learning
• Have ambitious expectations for all pupils with SEN and disabilities
• Make sure the school works effectively with parents, carers and professionals to identify additional needs and provide support and adaptation where appropriate
• Make sure the school fulfils statutory duties regarding the SEND code of practice

Organisational management and school improvement

Under the direction of the headteacher, the deputy headteacher will:

• Establish and sustain the school’s ethos and strategic direction together with the Directors and through consultation with the school community
• Establish and oversee systems, processes and policies so the school can operate effectively 
• Ensure staff and pupils’ safety and welfare through effective approaches to safeguarding, as part of duty of care
• Manage staff with due attention to workload, addressing any under-performance, supporting staff to improve 
• Support distribution of leadership throughout the organisation, forging teams of colleagues who have distinct roles and responsibilities and hold each other to account for their decision making.
• Ensure rigorous approaches to identifying, managing and mitigating risk
• Take the lead on mentoring and coaching staff
• Identify problems and barriers to school effectiveness, and develop strategies for school improvement that are realistic, timely and suited to the school’s context
• Make sure these school improvement strategies are effectively implemented
• Train staff in Proactive Approaches
• Support safeguarding across the school as the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Lead and support the work of the therapeutic and subject teams by providing strategic leadership support and coaching.
• Line manage the Therapeutic team
• Be accountable for  Annual |reviews and EHCPs 
• Oversee continuing professional development of school staff, supporting the appraisal process and CPD, professional development of NQTs/ ECT’s and new teachers' induction. 

Professional development

Under the direction of the headteacher, the deputy headteacher will:

• Ensure staff have access to appropriate, high standard professional development opportunities
• Keep up to date with developments in education
• Seek training and continuing professional development to meet needs
• Engage in Training in MAPA – Managing challenging behaviour approach
• Engage in Train the Trainer for MAPA and deliver training to school staff

Governance, accountability and working in partnership

Under the direction of the headteacher, the deputy headteacher will:

• Understand and welcome the role of effective governance, including accepting responsibility
• Ensure that staff understand their professional responsibilities and are held to account
• Ensure the school effectively and efficiently operates within the required regulatory frameworks and meets all statutory duties
• Work successfully with other schools and organisations 
• Maintain working relationships with fellow professionals and colleagues to improve educational outcomes for all pupils
• Ensure that policies and procedures are effective and updated
• Undertake in the absence of the Headteacher and to the extent required by the directors, the professional duties of the Headteacher including the deployment of staff to ensure their effective contribution to learning and safeguarding

Other duties 

Under the direction of the headteacher, the deputy headteacher will:

• Provide a safe, calm, and well-ordered environment for all learners and staff, focused on safeguarding learners and developing their exemplary behaviour in school and in the wider society.
• Undertake training and act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding lead
• Promote equal opportunities throughout the school and ensure the application of the school equal opportunities policy
• Promote an ethos of Effort, Equality, Engagement, Inclusion and opportunity for all
• Embody the Nolan principles of public life
• Data Protection

Please note that this is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the role. It is not a comprehensive list of all tasks that the deputy headteacher will carry out. The postholder may be required to do other duties appropriate to the level of the role.

Eagle Park School are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.