Assistant Headteacher

Cranbury College, Reading, Berkshire, RG30 2TS

13 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  1 January 2026

• Closing date

  24 November 2025 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  10 November 2025

Job details

• Job role:
  • Assistant headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £58,569.00 - £64,691.00 Annually (FTE) L6 to L10 Leadership Scale

Assistant Headteacher job summary

The Assistant Headteacher shares in the leadership and corporate responsibility of the school. Working closely with the Headteacher and School Advisory Board (SAB), the postholder ensures high-quality education for all pupils, continuous improvement and the professional development of colleagues.

This is a key leadership position with responsibility for significant areas of the school’s strategic and operational work. The postholder will implement Trust and school policies effectively, model professional integrity, and help shape a calm, purposeful and inclusive environment where all students can achieve their potential.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• Lead on agreed priorities within the School Improvement Plan and contribute to strategic planning across the school.

• Support the Headteacher in the deployment, appraisal and development of colleagues.

• Maintain high standards of conduct, safeguarding and wellbeing for pupils, colleagues and visitors.

Curriculum and Standards

• Lead curriculum development and evaluation to ensure statutory compliance and meet the needs of all learners.

• Analyse school performance data to inform decision-making and report to the SAB, SLT and Trust.

• Promote excellence in teaching and learning, sharing best practice and securing continuous improvement.

Teaching, Learning and Professional Development

• Lead training and mentoring to strengthen classroom practice.

• Oversee target setting, assessment and behaviour for learning strategies across the school.

• Model high expectations and support colleagues in achieving them.

Community and Partnerships

• Build strong partnerships with parents, carers, governors and external agencies.

• Promote equality, inclusion and pupil voice in all aspects of school life.

• Represent the school within Maiden Erlegh Trust, contributing to shared improvement across schools.

The Ideal Candidate

Leadership and Influence

• Experience of leading a team at middle management level and taking ownership of major tasks through to completion.

• Record of improving outcomes through curriculum, pastoral or academic leadership.

• Visible, approachable and skilled at influencing and motivating others.

• Desirable: Senior leadership experience or experience of leading INSET or whole-school innovation.

Professional Expertise

• Honours degree and qualified teacher status.

• Proven record of at least five years of successful teaching and evidence of very high-quality classroom practice.

• Knowledge of current education policy, curriculum frameworks and recent legislation.

• Strong understanding of data analysis, assessment and the use of information technology for effective management.

• Evidence of continuing professional development.

• Desirable: Higher degree, further management or assessor qualification, or NPQH (achieved or in progress).

Curriculum and Assessment Skills

• Secure knowledge of the curriculum from EYFS to Key Stage 4.

• Understanding of Value-Added measures and experience in using data to drive improvement.

• Experience of planning, organising and evaluating major areas of curriculum or pastoral provision.

• Desirable: Experience of whole-school responsibility.

Approach and Mindset

• High expectations of pupils and colleagues, with the ability to identify needs and implement effective strategies.

• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the capacity to work under pressure.

• Collaborative, adaptable and able to work as part of a team and independently.

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.

• Desirable: Experience of leading change and developing community links.

Personal Qualities

• Integrity, resilience and commitment to the ethos and values of the school.

• Motivational leadership style with a caring and considerate approach.

• Optimistic, enthusiastic and enjoys working with young people.

• Evidence of excellent attendance and punctuality.

• Desirable: Flexibility, creativity and interests that enrich wider school life.

Other Factors

• Ability to work with governors and attend evening meetings when required.

• A clear personal vision for education in the 21st century.

About the School

Cranbury College is a Pupil Referral Unit and Alternative Education provision for young people ranging from 5-16 years old. We support learners who have been permanently excluded from mainstream settings and provide preventative support to those who are at risk of permanent exclusion. Additionally, we support those that unintentionally exclude themselves from education and children who cannot access school for medical reasons. We are a multi-site organisation which includes our Primary provision, based at College Road and Secondary provision, based at Cranbury Road. We have Outreach teams for both Secondary and Primary that provide specialist support within schools and a Hospital Teaching Service based at Royal Berkshire Hospital who provide education to children on short- and long-term stays. Cranbury College is a fast paced, energetic setting where we pride ourselves on a strong team ethic, always working together to create a nurturing and supportive setting for our student's alternative pathway to success.

About Maiden Erlegh Trust

Maiden Erlegh Trust is a growing community of schools across Berkshire and Oxfordshire, working together to deliver the best possible education for every child and young person. With around 750 staff and 4,500 students across nine schools, including primary, secondary, special, and alternative provision, we are proud of the diversity that shapes our expertise.

We Aim High, Be Inclusive, and Work Together. These values drive our focus on high-quality education for all, through collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, colleagues access high-quality professional learning at every stage of their career, supported by mentoring, leadership opportunities, and our annual MET Staff Conference—a day that unites our whole team in sharing best practice and learning.

Joining our Trust means being part of a community that invests in people and values expertise; it is about playing a direct role in shaping the lives and outcomes of young people.

You can learn more about working with us and hear from colleagues across our Trust by clicking here to visit our website.

Benefits

Further information about working at Maiden Erlegh Trust can be found on our website here. Staff wellbeing and professional development are central to how we work, and colleagues across our Trust benefit from a range of opportunities and schemes designed to recognise their contribution and support their growth.

Pension Scheme: Generous employer contributions, with auto-enrolment into either the Teachers Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme, both Career Average Earning Schemes.

Annual Leave: We offer a generous holiday entitlement, which increases with length of service.

ME Day: Colleagues may request one additional day’s leave each year to attend a special personal event, such as a child’s sports day or graduation, or a family celebration.

Professional Development: We offer a comprehensive programme of professional learning through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, including opportunities to both attend and deliver CPD. Colleagues also take part in our annual Conference, a full day of workshops, networking and learning for all staff.
Colleagues can also access a range of professional development opportunities using Apprenticeship Levy funding, and benefit from professional development networks.

Hybrid Working: For eligible roles, we support a flexible approach to working arrangements, balancing remote and office-based work where appropriate.

Perkbox: Colleagues have access to Perkbox, which offers a wide range of discounts and wellness resources and receive 25 Perk points each month which can be exchanged for goods and services.

Wellbeing and Health: Free flu vaccinations are offered to all staff, and free eye tests are provided to those who are eligible.

Employee Assistance Programme: Incorporating discount vouchers, access to 24/7 support and more.

Mental Health First Aid support.

Recognition and Community: We regularly celebrate staff achievements, milestones and contributions across our schools, reinforcing a strong sense of belonging within the #TeamMET community.

Employee Referral Scheme.

Working for our Trust means contributing to something larger by supporting the education and life chances of children and young people every day.

If you believe this is an environment where you can thrive, develop and make a meaningful contribution to the future of our Trust and its schools, please contact recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org for an informal discussion.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early as we reserve the right to close the advert and interview at any time.

Maiden Erlegh Trust is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

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 Cranbury College

• School type: Academy, ages 5 to 16
• School size: 40 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 5 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Cranbury College website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/cranbury-college-reading

Cranbury College is an Alternative Provision academy based in Reading.

School location

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