Deputy Headteacher in London

About The Role

Deadline for Applications: 02/11/26

Interview Date: Week of 09/11/26

Are you a Life Changer? Do you want to lean in and transform the life of a child? Compass Community puts children first through our therapeutic, innovative approach. Integrity, Courage and Care shape how we work. We listen deeply, challenge each other and fix what needs fixing, together. This is the work. And we’d like you to be part of it.

Who we are: Compass Community School Victoria Park is an Independent Specialist SEMH School which prides itself on having a “big heart” (Ofsted 2024) and consistently high standards for all. Based in Tipton, Sandwell, the school is currently advertising for a Deputy Headteacher who can demonstrate knowledge and experience of Primary teaching and learning, foundational knowledge and reading/phonics. Our children come from a wide range of backgrounds, but all have Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH). Many will also have other Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) such as Autism, ADHD, and communication difficulties. The work we do is both varied and challenging and, as a trauma and attachment informed organisation, all staff are provided with extensive therapeutic training and support. Our closely triangulated approach places the child at the centre of decision making, ensuring that education and therapy professionals, parents/carers, local authority teams and, most importantly, our students can work together to secure outstanding outcomes for all.

The Role

We are a small and specialist school and the way in which the Deputy Headteacher goes about their day will, in many ways, define its outcomes, its successes and its character. As such, Compass Education is looking for a practitioner who shares our vision and can embody our ethos in every decision they make and every conversation they have, be that with students, parents or professionals. The staffing structure around our family of schools means that the Deputy Headteacher will be well supported, allowing them to focus on what is really important. The Deputy Director of Education and Executive Head Teacher will support decision making and problem solving, admin and compliance teams are available to keep things running smoothly, a dedicated Head of Teaching Learning and Curriculum will help you to drive the quality of education. You will work closely with a team of school leaders in similar settings across the region and the country and a specialist Regional SENCO. Compass leaders and managers know that our schools do not operate in isolation and they know how important it is to work with professionals from other agencies to influence lasting change. Managing all of this means that you will have boundless enthusiasm, a commitment to doing the right thing for as long as it takes and the leadership to take your team along for the journey. There will be a teaching element to this role.

The Right Person

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• A proven record of good or outstanding teaching practice.
• An excellent, efficient and emotionally intelligent communicator.
• The ability/willingness to teach a subject specialism to GCSE or equivalent vocational level.
• Proven knowledge of the Primary framework within teaching and learning including reading, phonics and foundational knowledge.
• A strong desire to work inclusively within an emotionally literate environment, supporting children who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
• Experience of crisis-management/managing challenging behaviours and working with children with SEMH difficulties.
• Proven experience of implementing a creative and academically engaging curriculum which meets the needs of individual pupils, whilst maintaining high standards of education.
• Experience of effective working with hard-to-reach or disengaged families.

Benefits and Rewards

• Staff laptop and mobile phone.
• Competitive salary.
• Extensive training and professional qualification opportunities.
• Small class sizes with specialist TA support.
• The chance to be part of an expanding, national organisation that recognises skill, effort and potential and grows its own leadership teams.
• Enhanced occupational sickness scheme.
• Flexible pension.
• Regular therapeutic and supportive supervision.
• Employee benefit service with access to wellbeing services, salary sacrifice schemes, high street vouchers, money off eating out and takeaways.

We regularly review applications and reserve the right to close an advert early if we identify suitable candidates.

Safeguarding

Compass Community Schools are highly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff will be expected to hold or be willing to obtain Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau) and undergo due diligence checks on social media use. All school-based staff have the responsibility for promoting the safeguarding and welfare of children. All school staff should be aware of the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and work in accordance with this document at all times.

Compass is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. As we continue to grow, we know that we must have the most talented employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to support our children and young people.