Assistant Headteacher - Astra Co-Principal (Teacher Development)

Dr Challoner's Grammar School, Amersham, Buckinghamshire, HP6 5HA

24 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026

• Closing date

  13 April 2026 at 1pm

• Date listed

  20 March 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Other leadership roles
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £69,332.00 - £76,481.00 Annually (Actual)

Assistant Headteacher - Astra Co-Principal (Teacher Development) job summary

Based at Dr Challoner's Grammar School, Astra Teaching School Hub works in collaboration with 240 schools across Buckinghamshire, spanning all phases and settings. Our vision is to be a transformational partnership, working together with schools to enhance teacher development and improve educational outcomes for all.

Astra supports teacher development at every career stage, from initial teacher training through to leadership qualifications. We work in partnership with the DfE and national lead providers, including UCL, IoE and Best Practice Network, to deliver DfEaccredited training and qualifications for schools across Buckinghamshire. This is achieved through the expertise of practitioners drawn from a wide range of educational settings across the county.

In partnership with the Astra SCITT, the Teaching School Hub delivers initial teacher training to approximately 60 trainees each year across all phases and settings. As the designated Appropriate Body for Buckinghamshire, we are also responsible for providing induction services to nearly 400 Early Career Teachers annually.

We have a highly committed team of support staff and benefit from dedicated office space for the Astra team.

We are seeking a Co-Principal (Teacher Development) with a strong commitment to, and genuine interest in, education and teacher development, and the vision and leadership skills to drive the continued success of Astra Teaching School Hub. The successful candidate will be able to work confidently with a wide range of stakeholders and will have a strong understanding of current priorities within the DfE’s ‘Golden Thread’ of teacher development, including ITT, ECT, and NPQ provision.

In addition to leading the Teaching School Hub, there is the opportunity to undertake a small teaching commitment within the school. This ensures the Co-Principal remains closely connected to classroom practice while continuing to develop expertise in teacher development.

Benefits of working at Dr Challoner's Grammar School

Staff often remark that DCGS is a great place to work. Staff retention is high, which we believe reflects the supportive and friendly environment in which we work. Students are hard working, capable and diligent. New staff to the school often remark that they enjoy working in an environment where students want to learn. Challoner’s was the third secondary school in the country to be judged Outstanding under Ofsted’s new Education Inspection Framework when inspected in November 2019, with the inspectors noting that the school has a culture of teamwork, loyalty and aspiration and that staff feel exceptionally well supported. This judgement was confirmed again in 2024. In 2025 we ranked 10th in The Times’ best secondary and grammar schools in the south-east.

As the Lead School in the Astra Teaching School, DCGS offers a wide and diverse range of professional development opportunities for staff. Astra's status as a School Centred Initial Teacher Training provider (SCITT) ensures Challoner’s is at the cutting edge of curricular and pedagogical developments in education. The Astra SCITT trains approximately 50 - 70 new entrants per year: in this way, colleagues at Challoner's are able to contribute to, and benefit from, high quality teacher training and CPD across over 50 schools in Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and beyond.

Dr Challoner’s Grammar School also offers staff:

• A friendly working environment with supportive and caring colleagues
• Access to a free 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, including financial and legal advice, counselling and health programmes
• An award winning attitude to staff wellbeing and mental health
• Staff Buddies - all new staff are allocated a staff buddy
• Hero of the Week! - recognition for staff who go above and beyond
• Preferential admission for qualified children of staff (some restrictions apply)
• Excellent opportunities for professional development
• Access to Blue Light card benefits
• Access to onsite cardio fitness and weights room
• Free on site parking

Prospective applicants are warmly invited to apply through Mynewterm by clicking apply now.

Early applications are welcome; we reserve the right to interview suitable candidates before the published closing date.

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

At Dr Challoner's Grammar School we ensure breadth of opportunities for all and actively promote open and outward facing attitudes to diversity and inclusion. As such, we encourage suitably qualified people from all backgrounds to apply for roles at our school. If there are any issues which you feel could be barriers to your application as part of this process please let us know.

Our commitment to Safeguarding

Dr Challoner’s Grammar School is committed to safeguarding and successful candidates will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check.

Additional information for applicants

Some additional information for applicants can be found here.

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

Dr Challoner’s Grammar School is committed to safeguarding and successful candidates will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check. In accordance with Keeping Children Safe In Education guidance, we will carry out online searches to research information on shortlisted candidates, to determine suitability to work with children and keep them safe. This is not part of the shortlisting process; if there are any findings of concern, you will be given the opportunity to address them at interview.

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 Dr Challoner's Grammar School

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1368 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Dr Challoner's Grammar School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/dr-challoner-s-grammar-school

Boys' Grammar School with a co-educational Sixth Form, situated on the edge of the Chilterns a short walk from Amersham station. Aspirational staff and students, with an atmosphere that values character education, resilience and kindness. Also a Teaching School and SCITT, so unparalleled opportunities for staff development

School location

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