At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead school improvement and inspire teaching excellence in a supportive environment.
- Company: Willow Wood Community Nursery and Primary School, part of a collaborative Trust.
- Benefits: Professional development, coaching, and a strong culture of collaboration.
- Other info: Join us for school tours and explore your potential impact!
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and shape the future of education.
- Qualifications: Qualified Teacher Status and experience in school improvement required.
The predicted salary is between 47000 - 60000 £ per year.
Willow Wood Community Nursery and Primary School offers an exciting opportunity to a strong leader with experience in delivering effective school improvement. We are seeking a Deputy Headteacher who is motivated by challenge, has experience of working in a school requiring improvement, and is passionate about applying proven strategies to secure rapid and sustainable change. We are seeking a leader who believes that all children can succeed, and who brings energy, integrity and excellence to their work. This role offers a significant opportunity to develop as part of a supportive Trust, working closely alongside experienced leaders and benefitting from a strong culture of collaboration across our schools. The successful candidate will be well supported by the Trust’s school improvement team and Governors, with access to high-quality professional development, coaching and opportunities to share and refine best practice. This role will involve some teaching commitment, likely to be 0.5 teaching and 0.5 leadership, subject to the needs of the school.
Core Purpose
The Deputy Headteacher will play a pivotal role in accelerating school improvement by utilising their experience, leadership skills and pedagogical expertise to strengthen teaching, learning, behaviour and outcomes for all pupils. The postholder will work closely with the Headteacher and Trust Director of Education to identify priorities, implement evidence-informed strategies, and embed consistent practice across the school.
Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership
- Contribute to the strategic development and direction of the school in line with its vision, values and improvement priorities.
- Deputise for the Headteacher in their absence, ensuring seamless operational leadership.
- Lead on whole-school initiatives, policies and improvement strategies to raise standards of teaching and learning.
- Support the Headteacher in developing a strong, positive and collaborative school culture.
- School Improvement
- Use prior experience of improvement work to support the delivery of the School Development Plan and Trust priorities.
- Contribute to school self-evaluation, inspections and external assessments.
- Model, coach and challenge staff to secure consistently strong practice within classrooms.
- Take a lead role in implementing sustainable systems.
- Teaching, Learning and the Curriculum
- Champion high-quality teaching and learning across the school, ensuring consistent implementation of best practices.
- Demonstrate the ability to rapidly improve the quality of teaching through team teaching, feedback and professional development.
- Support staff in translating curriculum intent into strong classroom practice.
- Monitor and evaluate the impact of teaching and curriculum development on pupil outcomes.
- Support colleagues with ongoing professional development, coaching and mentoring to enhance learning opportunities.
- Use data and assessment effectively to inform planning, interventions and decision-making.
- Behaviour, Culture and Wellbeing
- Contribute to the development of a calm, purposeful learning environment where expectations are consistently applied.
- Support staff through change with clarity, empathy and high expectations.
- Support pupils to manage behaviour to enhance learning opportunities.
- Work alongside the Headteacher to evaluate staff workload and wellbeing.
- Work alongside the Headteacher to maximise opportunities to enhance staff morale.
- Safeguarding and Pupil Wellbeing
- Ensuring a robust safeguarding culture and compliance with statutory requirements.
- Promote pupil wellbeing, inclusion and positive behaviour management strategies.
- Work with external agencies, parents and carers to provide appropriate support for pupils.
- Staff Development and Leadership
- Provide leadership and line management to designated staff members, ensuring clarity of expectations and accountability.
- Model exemplary practice and introduce peer coaching to support staff to enhance practice.
- Undertake performance management and pupil progress meetings, identifying strengths and development needs.
- Develop leadership capacity within the school, identifying future leaders and supporting career progression.
- School Operations and Management
- Support the effective deployment of resources, including staffing, timetabling and budgets, to enhance school effectiveness.
- Ensure compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirements, including safeguarding, health and safety and curriculum standards.
Please note that this job description is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the role. It is not a comprehensive list of all tasks, and the post holder may be required to do other duties appropriate to the level of the role, as directed by the Headteacher.
Safeguarding
Concordia Multi Academy Trust is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of pupils. Successful applicants will be subject to rigorous vetting procedures, including but not limited to: An enhanced DBS check; Satisfactory references; and Online/Social Media Check.
Person Specification
Essential
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
- An outstanding teacher with exemplary practice.
- Experience of working in a school requiring improvement or in challenging circumstances.
- Demonstrable impact in improving teaching, learning, behaviour and outcomes.
- Proven ability to lead and influence change at whole-school or phase level.
- Resilience, adaptability and a strong sense of professional accountability.
- Ability to drive school improvement and implement strategic initiatives.
- Deep understanding of safeguarding, behaviour management and inclusive practices.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships with pupils, staff and the wider school community.
- Commitment to continuous professional development and reflective practice.
Desirable
- NPQ or further leadership qualifications.
- Experience of working with pupils in a resource provision.
- Experience of contributing to a successful improvement journey.
- Experience of working with external support, Trust teams or improvement partners.
- Ambition to progress professionally through leading school improvement.
- Experience of working in a school with high levels of SEND and disadvantage.
- Experience of working across key stages.
- Experience of working in more than one educational setting.
- Experience in budget management and resource allocation.
- Knowledge of emerging trends in education and curriculum development.
- Experience and a strong understanding of early years education, including child development and best practices in EYFS.
A tour of the school is encouraged. School tours are available on Friday 12th June at 1.30pm, Friday 19th June at 9.30am and Wednesday 1st July at 2pm. Please call the office on 01606 593896 to book. Closing date for applications is Friday 3rd July at 12.30pm. Shortlisting will take place on Monday 6th July. Lesson Observations will be held on Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th July. Interviews for successfully shortlisted candidates will take place on Wednesday 15th July 2026. For further information regarding this role, please contact admin@willowwood.cheshire.sch.uk.
Deputy Headteacher Employer: Willow Wood Primary Reference: P/26/338874 in Cheshire employer: Cheshire Schools
Willow Wood Community Nursery and Primary School is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive environment where strong leadership and collaboration are at the forefront of our mission to improve educational outcomes. As a Deputy Headteacher, you will benefit from high-quality professional development and coaching, while working alongside experienced leaders dedicated to fostering a culture of excellence and inclusivity. Our commitment to staff wellbeing and career progression ensures that you will thrive in your role, making a meaningful impact on the lives of our pupils in a vibrant community setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Headteacher Employer: Willow Wood Primary Reference: P/26/338874 in Cheshire
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school! Before your interview, take a tour of Willow Wood Primary. It’ll give you a feel for the environment and help you connect with the staff and students. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to showcase your leadership skills. Think of specific examples where you've driven school improvement or led successful initiatives. We want to hear how you’ve made a difference in previous roles!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions. Focus on your experience with teaching, behaviour management, and how you’ve supported staff development. Confidence is key, so rehearse with a friend or in front of the mirror!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions during the interview! Show your enthusiasm by asking about the school’s vision for improvement and how you can contribute. It’s a great way to demonstrate your commitment to the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Headteacher Employer: Willow Wood Primary Reference: P/26/338874 in Cheshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for education and school improvement shine through. We want to see how motivated you are to make a difference in the lives of children and how your values align with ours.
Be Specific About Your Experience:Use concrete examples from your past roles to demonstrate your leadership skills and experience in driving school improvement. We love seeing how you've tackled challenges and made a real impact in previous positions.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role at Willow Wood. Highlight your relevant experiences and how they connect to the responsibilities outlined in the job description. This shows us that you’ve done your homework!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our school and what we stand for!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cheshire Schools
✨Know Your School's Vision
Before the interview, take some time to research Willow Wood Primary's vision and values. Understanding their goals will help you align your answers with what they’re looking for in a Deputy Headteacher. Be ready to discuss how your leadership style can contribute to their mission.
✨Showcase Your Improvement Strategies
Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully led school improvement initiatives in the past. Highlight your experience in challenging circumstances and be ready to discuss the evidence-informed strategies you’ve implemented to secure rapid change.
✨Engage with the Interview Panel
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the school's culture, support systems, and professional development opportunities. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Wellbeing
Given the emphasis on pupil wellbeing and staff morale in the job description, be prepared to discuss how you would foster a positive learning environment. Share your ideas on managing behaviour and supporting staff through changes, showcasing your empathetic leadership approach.
