Deputy Headteacher in London

The award winning London South East Academies Trust is proud to be the new provider of Alternative Provision in East Sussex. Having opened in September 2025, East Sussex Academy (set over three sites) has embarked on an exciting journey of systemic improvement and transformation. Their aim is to ensure that every single child and young person gets the support they need to progress and reach their full potential. This will be achieved by improving the quality of education and crucially, by raising aspiration and expectations of staff, pupils and their families.

This is a unique opportunity to be involved with a whole system transformation and be part of an inspirational and ambitious Senior Leadership Team undertaking the significant challenge of improving and strengthening Alternative Provision across the whole region. The Deputy Headteacher will work closely with the Headteacher leading the secondary provision supported by a strong Senior Leadership Team as well as the Trust’s wider community of dedicated, talented professionals committed to educational excellence and innovation, including the Director of Quality Assurance and Deputy CEO.

The role requires a shared aspiration to drive and sustain improvement and lives through the power of learning. The Trust encourages innovation and different ways of doing things. They are research and evidence based, keen to draw on new pedagogies and cutting-edge technology to ensure they deliver the very best teaching and learning for their pupils.

Principal Accountabilities

• Deputise for the Headteacher both on site and at multi-agency professional meetings.
• Provide operational day to day management of East Sussex Academy.
• Lead on the annual monitoring schedule of the quality of teaching and learning in conjunction with the Headteacher.
• Contribute to the overall vision of the East Sussex Academy and the Trust.
• Lead on complex cases and bespoke programmes for all pupils, taking responsibility for working with the Lead Attendance, Transition and Engagement Officer in the implementation of Pastoral Support Plans and coordinating all documentation and meetings with relevant parties to ensure all of the Trust whilst contributing to the overall vision of the organisation.
• Lead on the strategic direction and development of the school – in cooperation with and under the direction of, the Headteacher.
• Support the vision, ethos and policies of the school and promote high levels of achievement.
• Support the creation and implementation of the school improvement plan within the local and national context, and to take sole responsibility for appropriately delegated aspects of it – Teaching and Learning predominantly.
• Support all staff in achieving the priorities and targets which the school sets for itself; and to provide them with support and guidance in implementing schemes of work.
• Support the evaluation of the effectiveness of the school’s policies and developments with particular reference to the School Self Evaluation Form.
• Ensure that parents/carers are well informed about the school curriculum, its targets, children’s attainment and their part in the process of improvement.
• Promote the development of partnership working with home schools for pupils on dual roll and take responsibility for ensuring the accountability of partner schools in attending meetings and adhering to agreed protocols.

Teaching and Learning

• Develop a classroom environment and teaching practice which secures effective learning across the breadth of the secondary curriculum.
• Provide a professional model, clearly demonstrating effective teaching, classroom organisation and display, and high standards of achievement, behaviour and discipline.
• Take responsibility for the development and monitoring of the secondary curriculum and lead on the annual monitoring schedule for teaching and learning.
• Support the Headteacher in the monitoring of the quality of teaching and achievement, including the analysis of performance data.
• Support the Headteacher in developing links with parents/carers, other schools, educational institutions, East Sussex County Council and the wider community, including business and industry, to enhance teaching and learning and personal development.
• Establish high quality working partnerships with home schools to ensure pupils accessing long-term placements are supported adequately.
• Regularly liaise with support staff to ensure that they are empowered to assist teaching staff and aid pupils to meet learning outcomes through consistent approaches to learning and behaviour.
• Ensure that pupils’ individual learning needs are recognised and addressed across a broad curriculum; identifying and implementing a whole school strategy.
• Support the development and use of technology to support teaching and learning.
• Oversee personalised learning and opportunities for relevant accreditation.

Leadership and Management

• Take responsibility for the running of the school on site and deputise for the Headteacher as required.
• Work as a member of SLT in developing positive working relationships with and between all staff.
• Provide and sustain motivation through modelling good practice and giving clear leadership direction.
• Contribute to the professional development of staff, including new starter inductions.
• Lead groups of staff in developmental activities, with particular focus on operational management in relation to learning and behaviour.
• Take responsibility for ensuring high levels of attendance in conjunction with the attendance team.
• Contribute to the performance management process as directed by the Headteacher in the implementation of the Trust’s performance management policy.
• Support the development of the schools SEN strategy and policy.
• Support with the assessments of pupils with SEN to identify needs and monitor progress – including observations in the classroom and meeting with teachers and parents. Also, working with home schools and external agencies to support the assessment process of EHCPs.

Effective Deployment of Staff and Resources

• Contribute as part of SLT in the appointment, deployment and development of staff to make the most effective use of their skills, expertise and experience and to ensure that all staff have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities.
• Manage the school effectively in the absence of the Headteacher.
• Coordinate all cover arrangements internally for absent staff.
• Contribute to SLT in the management and organisation of relevant groupings of children to ensure effective teaching and learning takes place and that the pupil’s personal development needs are met.

Standards and Quality Assurance

• Set an excellent example in terms of dress, punctuality, attendance and behaviour.
• Attend and participate in open evenings, performances and other school activities outside the normal school opening hours.
• Attend leadership meetings, staff meetings and staff training opportunities.
• Ensure that all staff recognise their role as part of a team where high expectations are the accepted norm.
• Develop links with Governors, the Local Authority, mainstream schools and the community in general.
• Ensure all communication systems are used to maximum effect.
• Monitor the quality of all staff training opportunities.
• Utilise systems to monitor both real and perceived impact from different stakeholders.
• Utilise systems for collection and analysis of data to inform future planning.

Other Areas of Responsibility

The scope of this profile reflects the needs of the academy at the present time; it is not intended to be a fully inclusive or exhaustive list. The post holder may therefore be expected to work flexibly and perform other duties other than those given in the job description. The particular duties and responsibilities attached to the post may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility entailed. The profile will be subject to continuous review as the needs and requirements of the academy change over time.

Interest is Welcomed

Interest is welcomed from experienced Assistant and/or Deputy Headteachers as well as those ready to progress into Senior Leadership with experience from either a mainstream or specialist education background with exceptional Teaching and Learning skills.

Application

If you are inspired by this advert and would like to join a strong team truly and positively impacting the lives of young people and their families please get in touch to find out more.

For full information and to arrange your conversation/visit please contact our Recruitment Partner, Charlotte Cuthbert at Cuthbert Colvill.