Junior School Deputy Head

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.

Please refer to the Recruitment brochure for further information on the role and the school.

Person specification:

• substantial experience of leadership in a high-performing school
• outstanding organisational ability and the capacity to manage several complex and competing priorities simultaneously
• a strong record of coordinating significant school-wide processes and ensuring that they are delivered accurately, calmly and on time
• excellent judgement and the confidence to make sound decisions without unnecessary escalation
• a very strong work ethic, reliability and close attention to detail
• the ability to anticipate operational problems, identify solutions and follow actions through to completion
• excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust with a wide range of colleagues
• the personal credibility to command the confidence and respect of teaching staff, professional-services colleagues, pupils and parents
• high levels of emotional intelligence, discretion and sensitivity
• the ability to remain calm, constructive and decisive when dealing with pressure, uncertainty or competing demands
• the confidence to deputise fully for the headmaster and represent the junior school credibly in senior whole-school forums
• 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
• a strong commitment to collaboration and collective responsibility, alongside the confidence to take ownership of decisions
• high expectations of self and others, and evident pride in the quality and presentation of work
• a visible, approachable and generous presence within the school community
• an understanding that excellent senior leadership requires both strategic perspective and sustained attention to effective implementation
• sound educational judgement and credibility as a classroom practitioner
• a strong commitment to the ethos, values and ambitions of King’s and to the education and wellbeing of junior school pupils
• experience of working effectively across more than one phase, section or functional area of a complex school
• experience of coordinating major school-wide operational systems, for example timetabling, calendars, staffing, assessment and reporting cycles, events or cross-school processes
• experience of working closely with professional-services teams such as HR, facilities, admissions or health and safety
• experience of supporting or leading inspection preparation, policy review or compliance processes
• experience of staff appraisal, recruitment, induction and professional development
• experience of representing one part of a school within…