Assistant Head (Destinations and Progress)

Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet, Barnet, Hertfordshire, EN5 4DQ

21 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026 or, subject to notice period for current post, January 2027

• Closing date

  5 May 2026 at 10am

• Date listed

  14 April 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Assistant headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £75,433.00 - £82,186.00 Annually (Actual) L14 - L18 (Outer London) plus Teachers' Pension Scheme

Assistant Head (Destinations and Progress) job summary

Queen Elizabeth’s School, one of the country’s leading academic state schools, is seeking an exceptional leader to join its Senior Leadership Team as Assistant Head (Destinations and Progress).

This is a pivotal appointment for an ambitious and reflective educator who wishes to shape outstanding academic progress and world‑class post‑18 destinations for highly able pupils, within a school renowned for intellectual rigour, aspiration and opportunity.

The School

Queen Elizabeth’s School is a highly successful and heavily oversubscribed selective boys’ grammar school with a national and international reputation for excellence. Our pupils achieve exceptional outcomes at GCSE and A level and progress to the very best universities in the UK and overseas. We are proud of our inclusive ethos, diverse community and our mission to develop young men who are confident, able and responsible.

Our current school plan, Boundless, sets out an ambitious vision for the future, ensuring every Elizabethan is exceptionally well equipped to thrive in an exciting and fast‑changing world.

The Role

The Assistant Head (Destinations and Progress) is a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, responsible for:

• Leading whole‑school academic progress strategy and intervention
• Sustaining and enhancing QE’s exceptional post‑18 destinations
• Leading QE Futures, the School’s ambitious framework for academic development, careers education and university preparation from Years 7-13
• Ensuring excellent outcomes for all pupil groups, including disadvantaged pupils, in line with Ofsted expectations
• Providing strategic analysis and reporting on progress and destinations to senior leaders and Governors

The role combines high‑level strategic leadership with meaningful pupil impact and includes a reduced teaching timetable.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Leading pupil progress meetings and academic intervention strategy
• Overseeing UCAS, Oxbridge, Russell Group, degree apprenticeship and international applications
• Leading CEIAG provision and Gatsby Benchmark compliance
• Line‑managing the QE Futures Coordinator and key staff involved in progress and destinations
• Engaging alumni and parents in mentoring, careers events and enrichment
• Contributing fully to whole‑school strategic leadership and improvement

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a leader who:

• Is a qualified teacher with a strong record of raising attainment and progress
• Has experience of university admissions and post‑18 pathways
• Is highly analytical, strategic and confident working with data
• Has the credibility and interpersonal skills to lead across the school
• Is ambitious for all pupils and deeply aligned with QE’s values and ethos

Experience of selective or high‑attaining schools, Oxbridge or international admissions, and reporting to Governors would be advantageous, but not essential.

Salary & Conditions

• L14-L18 (Outer London)
• Full‑time, permanent
• On‑site during term time (8.00am-5.30pm)
• Teachers’ Pension Scheme
• Extensive professional development opportunities

Why Join Queen Elizabeth’s?

• Work with exceptionally motivated and able pupils
• Join a collegial, intellectually vibrant staff community
• Be part of an ambitious and outward‑looking leadership team
• Outstanding outcomes and sector‑leading destinations
• Easy access to London, free on‑site parking and an attractive campus

How to Apply

Applications must be made via the School’s My New Term portal, available through our website.

Your application should include a supporting statement outlining your motivation, suitability, and how you meet the Qualifications and Experience criteria of the Person Specification.

Closing date: 9am, Tuesday 5 May 2026.

Shortlisted candidates will take part in at least two rounds of interviews, including a visit to the School, meetings with stakeholders, and the observation of a taught lesson.

For a confidential discussion, please contact the Headmaster’s PA, Nicola Weston, at recruitment@qebarnet.co.uk.

Queen Elizabeth’s School is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and warmly welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds. The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children; the successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and all relevant safer recruitment procedures.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1314 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/queen-elizabeth-s-school-barnet

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