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- Tasks: Lead and inspire the English & Performing Arts faculty to drive student success.
- Company: Join the vibrant community at Meridian High School, a GOOD rated school.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous holidays, and a supportive environment for growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified Teacher Status and experience in English or related subjects required.
- Other info: Be part of a growing Multi Academy Trust with endless career opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join Our Leadership Team at Meridian High School! We are seeking an ambitious and dynamic Associate Assistant Headteacher to join us on a permanent basis.
Your Opportunity
As a key member of our extended leadership team you will drive improvement across the English & Performing Arts faculty championing exceptional teaching curriculum innovation and outstanding outcomes for every learner especially those facing significant challenges. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced middle leader ready to take the next step or an emerging senior leader eager to make a whole‑school impact.
What we are looking for:
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a degree in English (or closely related subject).
- Evidence of sustained professional development (e.g. NPQ leadership training).
- Strong understanding of curriculum assessment and current educational research.
- Successful experience as an outstanding classroom practitioner in English.
- Demonstrable impact on raising attainment and improving progress for diverse learners.
- Proven leadership experience at department key stage or whole‑school level.
- Ability to design implement and evaluate curriculum developments.
- Strong data literacy to diagnose barriers and design targeted interventions.
- Experience contributing to staff development CPD coaching or mentoring.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to inspire and influence.
- High resilience professionalism and commitment to safeguarding equality and inclusion.
Desirable:
- NPQSL / NPQML or equivalent leadership qualification.
- Additional qualifications or experience in Drama Film Studies literacy or inclusion.
- Coaching or mentoring accreditation.
- Experience of whole‑school responsibilities (e.g. behaviour safeguarding assessment).
- Passion for cultural enrichment and widening students access to the arts.
About Meridian High School
Meridian High School is a GOOD School in all categories (OFSTED January 2023). We believe education is about developing the whole person within the school values of resilience ambition and respect.
Join the GLF Schools Community
As a part of GLF Schools you will join a community of staff dedicated to transforming education. With regular progression discussions there will be a wealth of opportunities for you to grow your career whether in one of our 42 academies or in our central team.
Celebrating 10 years as a growing Multi Academy Trust with over 2000 colleagues and over 16000 pupils founded upon the values of Respect Inclusivity Integrity and Kindness.
GLF Schools Employment Offer
GLF Schools has a generous employment offer which allows all our colleagues to Grow Learn and Flourish:
- Access to our highly competitive Teachers Pension scheme.
- Flexible working options.
- Generous holiday allowance.
- Work life and family friendly policies.
- Employee wellbeing initiatives.
- Access to a staff benefits portal.
- Community and collaboration working model.
The Details
- Start Date: April 2026 or September 2026.
- Pay Scale: GLF Leadership Scale - GL10 to GL15.
- Contract type: Permanent full time.
- Closing Date: 6th December 2025.
- Interview date: TBA.
Associate Assistant Headteacher (English, Drama and Film) in Croydon employer: Meridian High School
Contact Detail:
Meridian High School Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Assistant Headteacher (English, Drama and Film) in Croydon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in education, attend local events, and engage with online communities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the school and its values. Familiarise yourself with their curriculum and recent achievements. This shows you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to leadership and curriculum development. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our community at Meridian High School.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Assistant Headteacher (English, Drama and Film) in Croydon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for English, Drama, and Film shine through in your application. We want to see how your passion translates into your teaching and leadership style, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience and achievements in education. We’re looking for evidence of your impact on student outcomes, so be specific about your successes and how they relate to the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for our team. Use it to connect your skills and experiences to the job description, and don’t forget to mention your commitment to safeguarding and inclusion.
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 you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Meridian High School
✨Know Your Curriculum Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the current curriculum and assessment strategies, especially in English and Performing Arts. Familiarise yourself with recent educational research and be ready to discuss how you can implement innovative practices to enhance student outcomes.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Prepare specific examples of your leadership roles and how they’ve positively impacted your department or school. Highlight any successful initiatives you've led, particularly those that improved attainment for diverse learners, as this will resonate with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Data Literacy
Be ready to talk about how you use data to identify barriers to learning and design targeted interventions. Bring examples of how your data-driven decisions have led to measurable improvements in student progress.
✨Engage with the School's Values
Familiarise yourself with Meridian High School’s values of resilience, ambition, and respect. During the interview, express how these values align with your own teaching philosophy and leadership style, and share your passion for cultural enrichment in the arts.
