Assistant Head; Development), JAMES ALLENS GIRLS SCHOOL

Position Overview

Do you have a passion for life and learning? If so, our inspirational teaching team at JAGS is looking for a colleague to join the Senior School Leadership Team as Assistant Head (Staff Development). Your dynamic and creative approach will help encourage and champion our Staff to provide an outstanding educational experience for our students in this, one of the UK’s leading independent schools.

With its distinctive heritage as the oldest independent girls’ school in London, James Allen’s Girls’ School (JAGS) provides a forward‑thinking and contemporary education for over 1,100 girls aged 4 to 18. Located in London’s Southwark borough, JAGS has a diverse school community and is committed to inclusive recruitment and inclusion in the workplace.

We are looking for someone who can play a central role in leading the Senior School teaching staff Professional Development programme, articulate and embed the school’s teaching and learning philosophy, and ensure a sustained focus on the power of research‑led practice. Join us to inspire a passion for life and learning in our student body.

• Lead the Senior School teaching staff Professional Development programme.
• Articulate and embed the school’s teaching and learning philosophy, ensuring a sustained focus on research‑led practice.
• Act as a compelling ambassador for JAGS and champion staff development.
• Collaborate with the Deputy Head Academic to promote a culture of continuous improvement.
• Support and nurture staff through the sharing of good practice, resources and innovative ideas.
• Contribute to the development of enrichment and extension programmes and the broader co‑curriculum.

• A passion for education in its broadest sense.
• The ability to teach your specialist subject to highly able students across KS3, GCSE and A Level.
• A talent for motivating and enthusing young learners to achieve their best.
• Kindness and open‑mindedness.
• Intellectual curiosity, enthusiasm and a personal ethos of lifelong learning.
• Resilience and optimism; someone who is willing to go the extra mile in the busy life of the school.
• Team‑working abilities and a keenness to enable all colleagues to contribute ideas and be part of positive change.
• Commitment to the well‑being and safeguarding of all students and staff.
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion and anti‑racism in the school community.

• The opportunity to join a leading independent school where public exam results consistently place JAGS among the top schools in the UK.
• A community of considerate, creative and compassionate students and staff.
• A highly diverse and inclusive school community, committed to our bursary provision.
• An inspiring and enthusiastic team of colleagues across the teaching and support staff.
• Excellent facilities, including the latest resources to support learning.
• A diverse benefits package including:
  • Competitive salary.
  • Choice of Teachers’ Pension Scheme or generous alternative defined contribution scheme.
  • Enhanced sickness, maternity and paternity pay.
  • Free onsite parking and bicycle storage.
  • Free gym membership with discounted family rates.
  • Employee assistance programme.
  • Free lunches, tea and coffee all year round.
  • Free access to the Dulwich Picture Gallery.
  • School fee discount.
  • Cycle to work scheme.
  • Interest‑free computer loans.
  • Interest‑free transport season ticket loans.

We recognise that celebrating the full diversity of staff and students has a positive impact on all, and invite applications from candidates from a broad range of backgrounds. To enable us to make any reasonable adjustments, please let us know when you submit your application whether you have any special requirements.

We welcome applications from both early‑career and experienced teachers from the independent and maintained sectors. The school operates its own generous and competitive pay scales and will offer a salary commensurate with experience and the nature of this role.

If you are interested in joining us, please complete the online application form via My New Term . Applications must be submitted via My New Term ; CVs and covering letters sent via email will not be accepted.

For further information, please telephone the Recruitment team on .

Closing Date:
Midday on Tuesday 03 March 2026.
Interview Dates:
Tuesday 10 March 2026 and Friday 13 March 2026.

Interviews may be held at any stage after applications are received. Interested candidates are advised to apply as soon as possible. We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the specified deadline if a suitable candidate is found.

JAGS is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service, and overseas police and regulatory authorities where relevant.