About this role
Job Purpose
The Assistant Headteacher will support the Headteacher in providing strategic leadership and management for the school, ensuring a clear vision for high-quality education and excellent student outcomes across Key Stages 3–5. The Assistant Headteacher will drive whole-school improvement, leading on key priorities to secure outstanding teaching, strong pastoral systems, and a culture of high expectations, inclusion, and continuous improvement. The role involves developing staff, using data intelligently, and ensuring all students achieve their full academic and personal potential.
Key Duties
Curriculum Impact
Set goals that stretch and challenge students of all backgrounds, abilities and dispositionsBe accountable for students’ attainment, progress and outcomesStudents should be able to verbalise:
o their learning within the lesson
o how the lesson contributes to the end point of the unit
Be aware of students’ capabilities and their prior knowledge, and plan teaching to build on theseGuide students to reflect on the progress they have madeKnow and understand how to assess the relevant subject including statutory assessment requirementsMake use of formative and summative assessment to secure students’ progress, including effective use of questioning throughout the lessonUse relevant data to monitor progress, set targets, and plan subsequent lessonsGive students regular feedback, both orally and through accurate marking, and encourage students to respond to the feedbackGive feedback on your classes to your second in charge after each Assessment Point, including your planned interventions to tackle any underachievement in your classes
Curriculum Implementation – Subject Knowledge
Have a secure knowledge in the relevant subject(s) and curriculum area. Be able to verbalise the sequencing of the components of each unit of workFoster and maintain students’ interest in the subjectAddress misunderstandings / misconceptionsDemonstrate a critical understanding of developments in the subjectTake responsibility for promoting high standards of literacy, articulacy and the correct use of standard EnglishTake part in regular CPD in order to ensure that your knowledge is up-to-dateUse ICT to effectively enhance learningDevelop high standards of Numeracy whenever appropriateEnsure that your approaches to T&L contribute to the design and provision of engaging lessons within the agreed national Curriculum programmes of study
Planning and Teaching
Effective use of lesson time in order to maximise students’ achievement and enjoymentSet homework and plan other out-of-class activities to consolidate knowledge where appropriateReflect systematically on the effectiveness of your lessons and adapt content following your monitoring of the students’ work in classEnsure that your approaches to teaching contribute to the design and provision of engaging lessonsEnsure that all lessons include: retention strategies (for example, spacing / interleaving)
Adapt Teaching to Respond to Needs
Know when and how to differentiate/personalise appropriatelyUse approaches which enable students to be taught and learn effectively, to the best of their abilityDemonstrate an awareness of the physical, social and intellectual development of childrenHave a clear understanding of the needs of all students, including those with special educational needs; those of high ability; those with English as an additional language; those with disabilities, ensuring that they are all met
Behaviour and Attitudes
Establish a safe and stimulating environment for students, rooted in mutual respectDemonstrate consistently the positive attitudes, values and behaviour which are expected of studentsHave clear rules and routines for behaviour in classrooms, and take responsibility for promoting good and courteous behaviour both in classrooms and around the school, in accordance with the school’s behaviour policyHave high expectations of behaviour, and establish a framework for discipline with a range of strategies, using praise, sanctions and rewards consistently and fairlyManage classes effectively, using approaches which are appropriate to students’ needs in order to involve and motivate themMaintain good relationships with students, exercise appropriate authority, and act decisively when necessaryEnsure that the 4 Rs are consistently followedMonitor and follow up non-attendance to learning
Personal Development
Uphold British values and ensure that students respect themHave regard for the need to safeguard pupils’ well-being, in accordance with statutory provisions and take action accordinglyContribute towards SMSCContribute to enhancement of the wider curriculum (for example: trips, clubs etc…)
Wider Responsibilities of Assistant Headteachers
Collaborate as a member of the Senior Leadership Team to develop the shared vision/future strategy for the schoolHave direct line management of a year teamAgree to aspirational targets, ensuring rigorous monitoring, evaluation and review of progress towards theseEnsure high quality teaching and learning in line led areasContribute to the school’s self-evaluation processBe involved in the process of appointing new staff including the shortlisting and interview process, ensuring up to date personal Safer Recruitment accreditation is maintainedBe actively on duty at break, lunch and before and after school, contribute to patrolsDeliver assemblies as part of cycleShare in the management of student behaviour incidents, making recommendations to the Headteacher/Deputy Headteacher regarding Inclusions/Exclusions and facilitating the process of student reintegrationActively participate in the monitoring, evaluation and review of teaching and learning in line led areas – subjects to be agreedManage any capability or disciplinary procedures in line with the Trust’s policy, where appropriateBe a core part of the appraisal process, setting targets and reviewing progressPromote equal opportunities and celebrate diversity in all aspects of the schoolComply with the Trust’s Health and Safety policy and undertake risk assessments in line with national requirements where necessaryShow a record of excellent attendance and punctualityProvide, or contribute to, oral and written assessments, reports and references relating to individual students and groups of studentsContribute to the school’s and Trust’s INSET programmePartake in activities aimed at promoting the school, including, but not limited to, open evenings, visits to primary schools and community eventsCarry out other tasks commensurate with their position, as directed by the Headteacher or Deputy Headteachers
Classroom Teacher Responsibilities –
To carry out the duties of a School Teacher as set out in the School Teachers Pay and Conditions Document.To continue to meet the Professional Standards for Senior Leaders
Note, whilst every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities of the post, this job description is not prescriptive, and each individual task undertaken may not be identified. Employees are expected to comply with any reasonable request from a manager to undertake work of a similar level and/or scope that is not specified in this job description. Job descriptions are subject to change, in consultation with the post holder, to meet the changing needs of the broader Trust.