At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead school improvement, focusing on attendance, behaviour, and safeguarding for all pupils.
- Company: Join the welcoming and inclusive community at Stanwix School.
- Benefits: Enjoy professional development, a supportive team, and a focus on staff wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in shaping the future of our school and its students.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership skills and experience in improving teaching and learning.
- Other info: A fantastic opportunity for aspiring Head Teachers to grow and thrive.
The predicted salary is between 58569 - 64691 ÂŁ per year.
Stanwix School is seeking to appoint a dedicated, ambitious, and values‑driven Deputy Head Teacher to join our friendly and inclusive school community. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping the next stage of our school’s development as we continue to strengthen practice, embed excellence, and strive to be the very best we can be.
This is a full-time position, with responsibility for acting as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), alongside leading whole‑school strategy for attendance, disadvantaged pupils, and behaviour, ensuring high standards and improved outcomes for all. There will be a part time teaching commitment attached to this post.
We are seeking a leader who can help us unlock the next stage of our journey—someone who combines ambition with empathy and who can drive meaningful improvement while valuing and supporting staff.
At Stanwix School, our core values of joy, ambition, kindness, and belonging underpin everything we do. We are proud of our inclusive, nurturing, and aspirational culture, where both pupils and staff are supported to thrive. Our strong team ethos, commitment to professional development, and focus on wellbeing make us an excellent place to grow as a leader and make a lasting impact.
As Deputy Head Teacher, you will play a central role in the leadership of the school. You will:
- Lead on attendance, behaviour, and safeguarding, with a strong focus on improving outcomes for disadvantaged pupils
- Drive school improvement priorities, particularly in teaching and learning culture
- Oversee day-to-day operations, including staffing and organisation
- Champion staff wellbeing while maintaining high expectations
- Develop and enhance provision beyond the classroom, including lunchtimes
- Contribute to strategic leadership and long‑term planning
- Build leadership capacity for future growth
What We Are Looking For
Leadership & Personal Qualities
- Builds strong, trusting relationships and is a visible, approachable leader
- Demonstrates emotional intelligence, integrity, and professional discretion
- Balances ambition with realism, setting a sustainable pace for improvement
- Is resilient, adaptable, and able to lead through change
- Influences culture and standards with clarity and consistency
Leadership & Strategic Skills
- Proven ability to implement whole‑school strategy
- Experience of driving sustained school improvement
- Ability to challenge underperformance constructively
- Experience of leading and developing teams
- Strong understanding of how to shift culture and expectations
- Aspiration and capacity for future Headship
Teaching & Learning Expertise
- Strong track record of improving teaching and learning
- Ability to influence classroom practice across phases
- Experience in Early Years and/or Key Stage 1
- Ideally experience across the full primary range
- Skilled in coaching, mentoring, and developing staff
Inclusion, Safeguarding & Pastoral Leadership
- Experience in safeguarding, behaviour, and attendance
- Strong understanding of Early Help and multi‑agency working
- Proven impact on improving attendance, particularly for disadvantaged pupils
- Commitment to improving outcomes and life chances for all pupils
Operational Leadership
- Strong organisational and decision‑making skills
- Experience or confidence in staffing, deployment, and daily operations
- Ability to develop and sustain systems that support staff wellbeing
Communication & Community Engagement
- Excellent communication skills with staff, parents, and the wider community
- Calm, clear, and consistent communicator
- Ability to handle challenging conversations with professionalism
What We Offer
- A warm, welcoming, and experienced team that values collaboration
- Opportunities to make a genuine whole‑school impact
- High‑quality professional development and leadership growth
- Respectful, enthusiastic pupils who enjoy learning
- A strong focus on staff wellbeing and work–life balance
- A supportive environment ideal for aspiring Head Teachers
Visits and Applications
We warmly encourage visits to the school so you can experience our community first‑hand. Visits can be booked via the vacancies page on our website or by contacting the school office on 01228 596069.
Safer Recruitment Practices
Stanwix School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This vacancy will be recruited to in line with the latest Keeping Children Safe in Education Guidance and online searches may be carried out as part of our due diligence on shortlisted candidates. Please note, this role contains regulated activity with children and is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders act, requiring an Enhanced DBS check with Children’s Barred list check. It is a criminal offence to apply to work in regulated activity if you are barred from doing so.
Deputy Headteacher (3958 ) in Carlisle employer: Cumbria
Contact Detail:
Cumbria Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Headteacher (3958 ) in Carlisle
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school! Before your interview, take some time to visit Stanwix School and chat with staff and students. This will not only give you a feel for the community but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to showcase your leadership style. Think about examples from your past experiences where you've built strong relationships and driven improvement. Be ready to discuss how you can bring that to Stanwix School.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a Deputy Headteacher, you'll need to handle challenging conversations with professionalism. Role-play these scenarios with a friend or mentor to build your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re tech-savvy and keen to engage with our online community.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Headteacher (3958 ) in Carlisle
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for education and leadership shine through. We want to see how your values align with ours at Stanwix School, so don’t hold back on sharing what drives you!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the job description. We’re looking for someone who can lead with empathy and ambition, so showcase those qualities!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to communicate your ideas and experiences, as we appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application via our website. It’s the best way to ensure it reaches us directly, and you’ll find all the details you need there. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cumbria
✨Know the School's Values
Before your interview, take some time to really understand Stanwix School's core values of joy, ambition, kindness, and belonging. Think about how these values resonate with your own leadership style and be ready to share specific examples of how you've embodied these principles in your previous roles.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Expect questions that assess your emotional intelligence and ability to build strong relationships. Prepare scenarios where you've successfully led teams through change or improved outcomes for disadvantaged pupils. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly.
✨Showcase Your Teaching Expertise
As a Deputy Headteacher, you'll need to demonstrate a strong track record in improving teaching and learning. Be prepared to discuss your experience across different phases, particularly in Early Years and Key Stage 1. Highlight any coaching or mentoring you've done to develop staff and enhance classroom practice.
✨Engage with the Community
Stanwix School values community engagement, so think about how you've previously communicated with parents and the wider community. Be ready to discuss how you would handle challenging conversations professionally and maintain a calm, clear communication style that fosters trust and collaboration.