Assistant Headteacher - Designated Safeguarding Lead
The Avon Valley School and Performing Arts College, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1EH20 days remaining to apply
Start date details
January 2026
Closing date
9 October 2025 at 9am
Date listed
19 September 2025
Job details
Job role
- Assistant headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £67,898 - £75,049
What skills and experience we're looking for
The Opportunity
We are seeking to appoint an inspiring, innovative Assistant Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to join our dedicated Senior Leadership Team. You will be an outstanding classroom teacher with a passion and drive to improve quality of education and opportunities for students across our school.
This is a unique opportunity for an experienced and inspirational leader to make a significant impact on our school. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in driving our academic standards and fostering a culture of excellence, while holding the crucial responsibility of ensuring the safety and well-being of every child.
Why Join Us?
At The Avon Valley School, we are committed to nurturing every student’s potential, both academically and personally.Our ethos is built on Ambition, Respect and Care, fostering a learning environment where students feel valued, supported and empowered to achieve their aspirations.
Avon Valley School offers a welcoming and collaborative environment where every member of staff is valued. We are committed to providing exceptional professional development opportunities and a supportive culture where you can thrive. You will have the chance to work with a fantastic team of staff and students who are all dedicated to building a safe, happy, and successful school.
The Role & Responsibilities
As Assistant Headteacher, you will support the Headteacher and Deputy Headteachers in:
- Communicating the school’s vision compellingly and supporting the Headteacher’s strategic leadership.
- The day-to-day management of the school.
- Support the Headteacher and Deputy Headteachers to formulate the aims and objectives of the school.
- Support establishing policies for achieving these aims and objectives.
- Provide high-quality professional support and mentorship to staff.
- Analyse school performance data and implement strategies for continuous improvement.
As Designated Safeguarding Lead, you will:
- Be the first point of contact for all safeguarding concerns and allegations.
- Lead the school's safeguarding team and ensure all staff are trained and confident in their duties.
- Manage a complex caseload, working effectively with external agencies and statutory partners.
- Champion a culture of vigilance and care, ensuring safeguarding policies and procedures are rigorously implemented and reviewed.
- Maintain accurate and confidential records.
What We Are Looking For
We are seeking a candidate who is:
- A highly effective and experienced leader with a proven track record of school improvement.
- Deeply committed to the principles of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
- A compassionate and resilient individual with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Passionate about fostering a positive learning environment and raising student aspirations.
- Knowledgeable about current educational and safeguarding legislation.
- Qualified to teach and with relevant leadership experience.
What the school offers its staff
What We Offer
Joining The Avon Valley School means becoming part of a supportive and forward-thinking community. Our staff enjoy:
- Tailored career development with annual development opportunities.
- Additional PPA time, exceeding the 10% normally offered for teaching staff.
- Flexible working arrangements for all staff, including biweekly work-from-home option, or a fully paid well-being day.
- A generous absence request policy, for example, do you want to watch your child’s primary school sports day, or attend your best friend’s wedding? Not a problem if you work for us.
- A proactive staff wellbeing programme to support work-life balance.
- A committed and collaborative Senior Leadership Team.
- A thriving school community with engaged students and supportive parents/carers.
- Lunch provided for anyone offering student facing activities during lunchtimes.
- Employee benefits, including access for staff and their families to a healthcare scheme, cycle-to-work scheme, employee assistance programme, free on-site parking, and catering facilities.
- A successful ECT support programme, fostering professional growth.
To Apply:
Further information about the job
If you are excited by this opportunity and want to be part of a school where you can truly make a difference, we encourage you to apply by clicking the link below which will take you to our online application form.
Please visit our website to find out more about the school: https://www.avonvalleyschool.uk/
Application Deadline: 9am on Thursday 9th October 2025
(We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role).
Interviews: Scheduled shortly after the closing date.
For further information or if you would like to visit the school, please email: chearne@avonvalleyschool.uk or telephone: 01788 542355.
Safeguarding and Compliance
Please note:
- We do not accept CVs without an application form.
- We do not provide working visas.
- If shortlisted, you will be required to complete a declaration regarding any relevant criminal offences as part of our safeguarding duties.
- Avon Valley School conducts online searches (including social media) as per KCSIE 2025.
- We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check (child workforce) via the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Join us in shaping a future of limitless potential. We look forward to hearing from you!
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
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Upload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About The Avon Valley School and Performing Arts College
- School type
- Local authority maintained school, ages 11 to 16
- Education phase
- Secondary
- School size
- 1114 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- Email address
- chearne@avonvalleyschool.uk
Avon Valley is a successful and oversubscribed school situated within the busy market town of Rugby. Following our Ofsted Inspection in March 2023, we were graded a ‘Good’ school. The school offers a distinctive ethos where we aim to inspire and support each student to prepare for their future by fulfilling both their academic and personal potential.
www.avonvalleyschool.uk
Arranging a visit to The Avon Valley School and Performing Arts College
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email chearne@avonvalleyschool.uk.
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