Deputy Headteacher KS4 Raising Standards

Purpose of the Role The Deputy Headteacher will provide strategic and operational leadership for Key Stage 4, with particular responsibility for sustaining exceptionally high standards in achievement, curriculum implementation and public examinations. The postholder will hold whole-school strategic responsibility for personal development, wellbeing, ethos and culture. Working alongside a Deputy Headteacher colleague with responsibility for teaching and learning, the postholder will contribute to the overall leadership and day-to-day running of the school and deputise for the Head of School as required. Core Strategic Leadership Responsibilities

• To share collective responsibility for furthering the vision, values and mission of the school.
• To contribute to the strategic leadership and smooth operational day-to-day running of the school.
• To deputise in the absence of the Head of School.
• To contribute to the development, implementation and review of whole-school policies.
• To liaise effectively with governors and other stakeholders as required.
Key Stage 4 Standards and Outcomes
• To sustain exceptionally high standards of achievement across Key Stage 4.
• To sustain exceptionally high outcomes for all groups of pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND.
• To lead the strategic direction of the school's Key Stage 4 raising standards work.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of raising standards strategies and ensure that actions are responsive and impactful.
• To lead raising standards meetings for all subjects within the key stage.
• To lead all aspects of public examinations.
Personal Development and Wellbeing
• To lead the whole-school strategic direction for personal development and wellbeing.
• To ensure that pupils feel well supported, develop strong knowledge and skills, and make a positive contribution to the school's inclusive culture.
• To ensure that pupils are exceptionally well prepared for their next steps and for life beyond school.
• To secure strong personal development and wellbeing for disadvantaged pupils, including those with SEND and other vulnerable groups, across Key Stage 4.
Curriculum - Implementation and Impact
• To lead the design of a high-quality, ambitious Key Stage 4 curriculum for all pupils.
• To lead the development and ongoing review of the curriculum within the key stage.
• To ensure the effective delivery of the Key Stage 4 curriculum across all subjects.
• To lead and evaluate the impact of pupil intervention programmes within the key stage.
• To review the effectiveness of 14-19 curriculum pathways.
Ethos and Culture
• To lead the whole-school strategic direction for ethos and culture.
• To ensure that the Swanlea Values and Fundamental British Values are embedded across the key stage.
• To ensure consistently high standards of ethos and culture in all aspects of Key Stage 4.
• To ensure that the Swanlea Way is actively and consistently embedded across the key stage.
• To ensure that the school's social confidence strategy is reflected in all aspects of the key stage's work.
• To be accountable for behaviour, attendance and punctuality across the key stage.
• To ensure rigorous monitoring of all aspects of the key stage, including securing the school's expectations and targets for attendance and punctuality.
Line Management and Staff Development :
• Working with Deputy Headteacher colleagues, to contribute to the development of a highly effective training and development programme for Heads of Faculty.
• To line manage Assistant Heads.
• To line manage Heads of Faculty and Learning Coordinators.
• To chair appropriate middle leader and student progress meetings.
• To participate in the selection of teaching and support staff.
Whole-School Leadership Contribution
• To contribute actively to whole-school improvement priorities as a member of the senior leadership team.
• To attend Governing Body meetings as required.
• To model and uphold the school's values at all times with all members of the school community.
• To act as a visible, professional and positive senior leader across the school.
• To fulfil the statutory responsibilities of a senior leader with regard to safeguarding and child protection, in accordance with the school's safeguarding policy and current statutory guidance.
Leadership Behaviours
• To model high standards of professionalism, visibility and accountability at all times.
• To demonstrate respect, positivity and integrity in all aspects of the role.
• To contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and professional learning.
• To support and develop colleagues through effective leadership, challenge and encouragement.
Whilst every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities of this post, each individual task undertaken may not be identified. Employees will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from a manager to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description. Employees are expected to present themselves and to act in a professional manner at all times. As part of the application, you are requested to submit a personal statement of no more than 1,000 words stating clearly how your knowledge, skills and experience meet the shortlisting criteria set out in the person specification. Applicants must complete all sections of the application form in full and include a personal statement. Incomplete applications will not be considered for shortlisting. We do not provide feedback on applications. Candidates are warmly encouraged to visit the school prior to applying. Visits will take place on Wednesday 15th April and Monday 20th April at 4pm. Please email Naviya Azmin at recruitment@swanlea.co.uk to register your interest. The deadline for applications is midday on Monday 27 April 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be informed by Thursday 30 April 2026. The final selection process will take place on Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 May 2026. The school will endeavour to make any necessary reasonable adjustments to the job and the working environment to enable access to employment opportunities for disabled applicants or continued employment for any employee who develops a disabling condition. References for shortlisted candidates will be taken up prior to interview using the contact details supplied on your application form. Further information about Swanlea School and Weavers' Federation can be found at https://swanlea.co.uk/ Sam White of ASCL's Leadership Appointment Service is providing professional support to the school throughout the selection and appointment process. Please copy him into any correspondence with the school. If you would like to find out more about this opportunity, please email sam.white@ascl.org.uk to arrange an informal conversation. We welcome applications regardless of age, disability, gender, ethnicity or religion. Swanlea School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service. Any online searches will be limited to publicly available professional information and carried out in accordance with data protection legislation.