Assistant Headteacher (Pastoral & Whole-School Leadership)
Cambridge Maths School, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB1 2AZ14 days remaining to apply
Start date details
January 2027
Closing date
13 October 2026 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
29 September 2026
Job details
Job role
- Assistant headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time, part time
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- Leadership L8-L12
What skills and experience we're looking for
Assistant Headteacher (Pastoral & Whole-School Leadership)
Cambridge Maths School, CambridgeLeadership Scale L8-L12 (depending on experience)Full Time (although part time may be possible on request), PermanentStart Date: January 2027 (or later by agreement)
Join one of the UK's most distinctive and successful sixth form schools
Cambridge Maths School (CMS) is seeking to appoint an exceptional Assistant Headteacher to join our ambitious and innovative leadership team.
Developed in association with the University of Cambridge, Cambridge Maths School is a specialist sixth form for students with a passion and aptitude for mathematics and the mathematical sciences. Located in purpose-built facilities in the heart of Cambridge, the school offers A Levels in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science and Physics.
Since opening in 2023, CMS has rapidly established itself as one of the country's highest-performing sixth forms. We combine academic excellence with a deep commitment to widening participation, ensuring that talented young people from all backgrounds can access an outstanding education and progress to the most competitive university courses and careers.
This is an exciting opportunity for an outstanding leader to help shape the next stage of the school's development.
The Role
We are seeking an exceptional school leader who will play a key role within the Senior Leadership Team and help drive the continued success of Cambridge Maths School.
The successful candidate will:
Be an outstanding teacher, capable of teaching at least one of the school's specialist subjects: Mathematics (including Further Matematics), Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science or Physics.
Contribute strategically to the leadership and development of the school.
Lead and develop a significant pastoral or whole-school area.
Support the highest standards of teaching, learning, achievement and student experience.
Work closely with staff, students, families and external partners to ensure every student thrives academically and personally.
Contribute to the continued development of CMS as a nationally significant centre of excellence for post-16 education.
Areas of Responsibility
The Assistant Headteacher will lead and oversee the school's pastoral provision, ensuring that every student is supported to thrive academically, socially and personally.
Student Wellbeing and Pastoral Care
Student wellbeing and mental health.
Strategic leadership of pastoral systems and processes.
Early intervention and targeted student support.
Attendance, engagement and participation.
Student behaviour, culture and expectations.
Student voice, leadership and community engagement.
Safeguarding, Inclusion and Equity
Safeguarding and child protection.
Equality, diversity and inclusion.
Support for vulnerable, disadvantaged and underrepresented students.
Development of an inclusive school culture where all students feel a sense of belonging.
Liaison with families, external agencies and partner organisations.
Personal Development, Careers and Enrichment
Leadership of the school's personal development programme.
Careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG).
Oversight of careers guidance, work experience opportunities and employer engagement.
Strategic leadership of super-curricular programmes, ensuring students have access to rich academic experiences beyond the classroom.
Oversight of student enrichment, leadership opportunities and wider personal development activities.
Promotion of widening participation initiatives and ambitious progression pathways for all students.
The successful candidate will work closely with staff, students, families and external partners to ensure Cambridge Maths School continues to deliver an exceptional student experience alongside outstanding academic outcomes.
About You
We are looking for a candidate who:
Is an excellent classroom practitioner with a strong track record of success.
Has successful middle or senior leadership experience within a school or sixth form setting.
Has experience of leading and developing staff and teams.
Demonstrates a strong commitment to student wellbeing, safeguarding and inclusion.
Possesses excellent interpersonal, organisational and communication skills.
Has the vision, credibility and resilience required to make a significant contribution to school improvement.
Is passionate about widening participation and enabling talented young people from all backgrounds to succeed.
Shares the values, ambition and ethos of Cambridge Maths School and the Eastern Learning Alliance.
Applications are welcomed from experienced Assistant Headteachers, aspiring senior leaders, or exceptional middle leaders ready to take the next step in their career.
Safeguarding
The Eastern Learning Alliance is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check and all relevant pre-employment checks.
Application Process
Applicants should complete the Eastern Learning Alliance application form and submit a supporting letter of no more than two sides of A4 outlining:
Your reasons for applying.
What strengths and experience you would bring to the role.
Your leadership style and approach.
The areas of whole-school leadership that particularly interest you.
Why you believe you would be well suited to the opportunities and challenges of Cambridge Maths School.
Visits to the school are warmly encouraged.
For further information, please contact recruitment@cms.tela.org.uk.
Closing Date: 13th October 2026Interview Date: To be confirmed
Cambridge Maths School
A specialist sixth form for mathematics and the mathematical sciences, committed to academic excellence, widening participation and transforming futures through exceptional education.
The post holder will have a shared responsibility for the safeguarding of all children and young people. The post holder has an implicit duty to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to be committed to promote diversity and equality for all.
Additional Information
The Eastern Leaning Alliance Multi-Academy Trust is committed to equal opportunities, safeguarding and the promotion of the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff are expected to share this commitment and undergo the appropriate checks. All positions within the Trust are subject to enhanced DBS checks and satisfactory references. Only applications submitted using the ELA application form will be accepted. We do not accept applications by CV.
Application process
Please ensure your form and cover letter are returned to Business and Administrative Manager for Cambridge Maths School recruitment@cms.tela.org.uk
Due to the high volume of applicants, we receive for certain roles, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date if we have received applications that reach the criteria. If you have not received a response within one week of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.
What the school offers its staff
Why Join Cambridge Maths School?
Working at CMS provides a unique opportunity to help shape one of the most innovative and academically ambitious schools in the country.
We offer:
Highly motivated, intellectually curious and exceptionally talented students.
A collaborative, supportive and ambitious staff team.
A culture that values professionalism, innovation and continuous improvement.
Close links with the University of Cambridge and leading academic and industry partners.
Outstanding opportunities for professional development and career progression.
Significant scope to shape strategic developments within a growing school.
A reduced teaching allocation to support leadership responsibilities.
Opportunities to contribute to nationally recognised outreach and widening participation initiatives.
What Can ELA Offer You?
The Eastern Learning Alliance offers sector-leading staff benefits alongside high-quality professional development and cross-trust collaboration opportunities.
Benefits include:
Reduced teaching allocation to enable professional development.
Employee Assistance Programme with access to counselling and physiotherapy.
Health care cash plan.
Paid annual family day.
Extensive discount club access.
Cycle to work and electric vehicle lease schemes.
Enhanced parental leave.
Flexible working practices where appropriate.
Laptop and mobile phone purchase schemes.
Access to ticket ballots for high-profile events.
Discounted gym membership.
Extensive leadership development and cross-trust networking opportunities.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
The Eastern Leaning Alliance Multi-Academy Trust is committed to equal opportunities, safeguarding and the promotion of the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff are expected to share this commitment and undergo the appropriate checks. All positions within the Trust are subject to enhanced DBS checks and satisfactory references.
Please refer to Cambridge Maths School Safeguarding Policy
https://cms.tela.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Safeguarding-and-Child-Protection-Policy-CAMBRIDGESHIRE-September-2023-Trust-Updates.pdf
Applying for the job
This job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
About Cambridge Maths School
- Organisation type
- Free School, ages 16 to 19
- Education phase
- Sixth form or FE college
- Size
- 99 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 16 to 19
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- Email address
- recruitment@cms.tela.org.uk
A specialist sixth form developed in association with the University of Cambridge – we opened in September 2023 with a focus on pioneering learning and increasing diversity in the field of maths.
Arranging a visit to Cambridge Maths School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email recruitment@cms.tela.org.uk.
School location
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