Assistant Headteacher

Shaftesbury High SChool; City of London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A SEND secondary school in Harrow seeks an Assistant Headteacher for Key Stage 4. The role involves leading pastoral care, supporting the Headteacher, and contributing to school policies. Candidates must have significant leadership experience, preferably in special needs settings, and possess Qualified Teacher Status. This position is pivotal in developing education standards and ensuring student wellbeing.

Qualifications

• Previous experience within a special needs setting is essential.
• Leadership experience to at least Key Stage Coordinator required.
• Must possess Qualified Teacher Status.

Responsibilities

• Support the Headteacher in achieving the school's vision.
• Lead and manage Key Stage 4, both pastorally and academically.
• Monitor and evaluate assessment data from examinations.
• Participate in the recruitment process.
• Ensure professional development through CPD.

Skills

Leadership experience

Experience in special needs setting

Communication skills

Behaviour management

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

Job description

Shaftesbury High School is a Secondary SEND school with 167 students We are located in the London Borough of Harrow close to bus, train, and road links. We provide a broad and balanced curriculum to students from Year 7 to Year 14. The role of Assistant Headteacher, Key Stage 4, is available following the promotion of the current role holder.

In our most recent Ofsted Report (May 2025) the inspectors fed back that Shaftesbury was a:

“a calm, respectful environment where learning can flourish.”

We want to appoint a colleague who understands, supports, and wants to be part of our ethos and values. A colleague who will add to the professional leadership and management of the school, in conjunction with the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team. A colleague who will be clear on their expectations for the pastoral leadership of Key Stage 4, as well as across the whole school. A colleague who will commit towards the continual journey of developing standards of teaching and learning at Shaftesbury.

The position of Assistant Head Key Stage 4 can be adapted to meet the experience of the right candidate.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Supporting the Headteacher in meeting and promoting the vision, aims, ethos and policies of the school.
• Complying and assisting with the development of policies and procedures at Shaftesbury High School.
• Being responsible for the pastoral leadership and management of Key Stage 4.
• Being an active and engaged member of the Senior Leadership Team. Working closely with colleagues on matters related to and affecting the whole school.
• Promoting whole school commitment to the safeguarding procedures and ensuring the welfare of children and young people.
• Ensuring that the targets and deadlines for Key Stage 4 and the SIP are prioritised, on target, and met.
• Promoting high expectations across the school.
• Supporting and improving the quality of teaching and learning.
• Playing a role in behaviour management of the whole school.
• Being an active part of the Teaching and Curriculum, Achievement and Inclusion sub-groups.
• Working alongside the Headteacher in carrying out effective school self‑evaluation.
• Deputising, as required, for the Headteacher in his absence.
• Developing effective working relationships with students, staff, parents, governors and external agencies.
• Contributing to the whole school policies, procedures and ethos to promote student wellbeing, good behaviour and discipline.
• Maintaining professionalism at all times.

Direct Responsibilities

• An active and engaged member of the Senior Leadership Team.
• Lead and manage for all matters related to Key Stage 4, pastoral and academic.
• Contributing to the overall ethos and aims of the school.
• Line Managing the Key Stage 4 Coordinator.
• Lead the Pastoral team in Key Stage 4.
• Leading on operational and team meetings, monitoring and comprehensive note‑taking/minutes for clarity for all team members.
• Supporting the Shaftesbury Commitment to enrichment activities in Key Stage 4, including trips.
• Managing the use of Evidence for Learning in Key Stage 4.
• Supporting Key Stage 4 staff with Annual Reviews.
• Managing, with the Headteacher, transition years 8‑14 within Shaftesbury.
• Monitoring and evaluating pastoral data for Key Stage 4, ensuring the findings support students and staff.
• Being a DSL.
• Acting as the School’s Examination Officer.
• Monitoring and evaluating assessment data from examinations, ensuring the findings support the school improvement work on curriculum, teaching and learning.
• Completing the appraisal and probation process with staff across the school.
• Participating in the recruitment process.
• Supporting colleagues completing professional qualifications for teaching.
• To oversee the responsibilities of the reading teacher with the Assistant Head Key Stage 5.
• Managing Continuing Professional Development with the LSA Lead.
• Focus on wellbeing commitments through effective and relevant CPD offer.
• Participate in training and other learning activities and performance development as required.
• Lead training as required.
• Working with the LSA Teacher Team.
• Participating in the teaching of students at the school, including providing cover for absent teachers across the school.
• Be aware of and support diversity and ensure equal opportunities for all.
• Establish constructive relationships and communicate with other agencies/professionals.
• Manage staff absences for Key Stage 4.

Communication

Undertake all relevant tasks to ensure a consistently high standard of information is circulated to parents, carers and the community through the school communication systems e.g. bulletins, newsletters, notices and the school website.

• Ensure that channels of communication are used effectively, within the school, to ensure all staff, parents and pupils are well informed.

Equalities

Ensure implementation and promotion in employment and service delivery of the Council's/School’s equal opportunities policies and statutory responsibilities.

Terms

The position of Assistant Headteacher is subject to the conditions of service laid out in the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions document, for staff paid on the leadership scale. Harrow is an outer London Local Authority.

Recruitment

Shaftesbury High School is committed to safeguarding, inclusive practice and equal opportunities for all. All job offers will be subject to a social media check, successful enhanced DBS checks and reference checks.

Applications will only be accepted through MyNewTerm.

Previous experience within a special needs setting is essential, as is leadership experience to at least Key Stage Coordinator. The candidates must have Qualified Teacher Status.

Visits during the school day are actively encouraged.

Our students deserve the best the teaching profession has to offer. I look forward to hearing from you.

Notes

Whilst every effort has been made to explain the duties and responsibilities of the post, each individual task to be undertaken may not be identified. The successful applicant will assume any other reasonable duties as needed and as directed by the Headteacher.

Personal Specification

Salary & Benefits

Location

Shaftesbury High School
Headstone Lane
Harrow
London
HA3 6LE

Interviews : Week of 26th of January 2026

To apply please send your completed application form (CVs will not be considered) to: [e-mail] . Please note late applications will not be accepted.