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Assistant Head Teacher

Handsworth Primary School, London, E4 9PJ

28 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 January 2027

• Closing date

  11 December 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  13 November 2026

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Job details

• Job role:
  • Assistant headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Early years, Key stage 1, Key stage 2
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Pay scale: Leadership 3-7 (Outer London)

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are looking for an enthusiastic, collaborative leader with a real passion for early years and play to join our senior leadership team as Assistant Headteacher, in a new post. Working closely with the headteacher, you will lead our Early Years Foundation Stage and Years 1 to 3 phase, lead behaviour across the school and lead attendance jointly with the headteacher. You will also be our senior mental health lead and OPAL Play Curricular Lead, and serve as one of our two Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads.

The successful candidate will have:

• Qualified Teacher Status and a degree
• successful teaching experience in the EYFS, with a deep, genuine understanding of child-led, play-based learning
• leadership experience at middle or senior level, with a clear impact on provision and outcomes
• experience of leading, or contributing significantly to, a whole-school approach to behaviour, and a strong understanding of relational approaches to behaviour and wellbeing
• experience of leading staff teams and supporting their professional development
• experience of working in partnership with families
• thorough knowledge of the EYFS statutory framework, the Reception Baseline Assessment and the EYFS Profile, and a keen understanding of the Reception to Year 1 transition
• an understanding of the importance of play for children’s learning, development and wellbeing across the primary years
• up-to-date knowledge of statutory safeguarding guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education, and DSL training or a willingness to complete it before taking up post
• the ability to use information about children’s learning to identify needs, plan provision and measure impact
• excellent communication and interpersonal skills, building strong relationships with pupils, staff, parents, governors and external agencies
• a commitment to safeguarding, equality and diversity, and anti-racist practice
• a willingness to complete OPAL training

We would particularly welcome applications from candidates who:

• have early years specialist training or senior mental health lead training
• hold or are working towards the NPQSL or NPQEYL
• have taught in Key Stage 1
• have experience of safeguarding casework, leading outdoor play (such as the OPAL Primary Programme) or improving attendance
• have good knowledge of early reading and phonics

Above all, we want an energetic, warm and solutions-focused leader who is a strong advocate for every child and their family, and who handles confidential and sensitive information with integrity and discretion.

Applications will be considered upon receipt. Interviews will be organised as and when applications are received. The School reserves the right to interview and appoint before the closing date. Therefore, you are advised to submit your completed application form as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

What the school offers its staff

Handsworth Primary is a welcoming, inclusive and culturally diverse two-form entry school in Highams Park in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. We are a happy, thriving learning community of around 420 pupils, where diversity is celebrated and high aspirations are encouraged. We believe all children can succeed, and we aim to inspire them to be confident, curious and ambitious.

Our values of Trust, Hope, Relationship, Inclusion, Vision and Excellence are at the heart of everything we do. We believe that strong relationships between staff and children build a foundation of trust, and we work hard to create a culture of resilience where mistakes are part of learning and successes are celebrated.

We can offer you:

• happy, motivated children who love to learn
• a dedicated, friendly staff team and a supportive headteacher and governing body
• a genuine commitment to staff development, with investment in training for all staff and practice based on evidence and continuous learning
• the chance to build on our OPAL play work and put high-quality play at the heart of every child’s school day
• a curriculum that is contextually relevant, holistic and increasingly decolonised, with a focus on restorative practice
• a school committed to equality, diversity and anti-racist practice, with a fair and unbiased recruitment process
• a rich wider offer for pupils, including Forest School, music, sports competitions, OPAL playtimes and clubs
• a strong pupil voice through our School Council, Sports Council, Eco-School team, Digital Leaders and Well-being Ambassadors
• an engaged parent community, supported by our Friends of Handsworth association

We welcome enquiries from everyone and value diversity in our staff. Visits to the school are warmly encouraged.

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 statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Any offer of employment will 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 convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

Please complete the online application.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Handsworth Primary School

• Organisation type: Local authority maintained school, ages 4 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• Size: 418 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 4 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: Handsworth Primary School website
• Email address: school@handsworth.waltham.sch.uk
• Phone number: 02085275991
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/handsworth-primary-school

Handsworth Primary is a multicultural two-form entry school, situated in Highams Park in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. There are 420 pupils in our school. At the heart of our practice is the belief that highly effective relationships between staff and children provide a strong foundation of trust. We strive to create a culture of resilience; embracing the learning that takes place from making mistakes and celebrating our challenges and successes.

We are committed to providing a safe, secure and stimulating environment for our children, where everyone can develop their skills and talents in a variety of ways. We constantly reflect and monitor our progress and understand the importance of staff development.

Arranging a visit to Handsworth Primary School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email school@handsworth.waltham.sch.uk.

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