Assistant Headteacher

The Kingston Academy, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, KT2 5PE

21 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026

• Closing date

  22 February 2026 at 10:59pm

• Date listed

  30 January 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Assistant headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £72,729.00 - £85,616.00 Annually (FTE) Leadership Pay Spine L12-L19 Outer London +1% above National Pay Scales

Assistant Headteacher job summary

The Kingston Academy has an exciting opportunity for an experienced individual to undertake the role of Assistant Headteacher.

Our new Assistant Headteacher will play a pivotal role in strengthening and extending the impact of The Kingston Academy’s already strong leadership team. This is a strategic leadership position designed to inject additional capacity at senior level, enabling the school to accelerate improvement across both pastoral and academic priorities and to continue securing exceptional outcomes for all pupils.

The post holder will be expected to lead on a number of key strategic areas, working collaboratively with senior leaders to shape whole-school direction, drive high standards, and ensure that our provision remains ambitious, inclusive, and relentlessly focused on pupils’ learning and wellbeing. With responsibility for line-managing staff, they will build leadership capacity across teams, establish clear expectations, and support colleagues through purposeful coaching, professional development, and robust accountability. The successful applicant will be expected uphold our high standards of academic and pastoral support, including for SEND and disadvantaged pupils.

As this is a general Assistant Headteacher post, the precise portfolio will be determined upon appointment, reflecting the strengths and expertise of the successful candidate and the evolving needs of the school. The successful candidate will be an experienced middle leader, with at least five years of leadership experience in their area(s) of expertise, and will bring the credibility, strategic insight, and operational effectiveness required to lead sustained improvement at scale. They will be a visible and trusted leader who combines warmth with high expectations, communicates with clarity, and leads with integrity in service of excellent outcomes for every pupil

The Kingston Academy is a high-performing, inclusive secondary school founded in 2015. Today we educate over 1,400 pupils from Year 7 through to Sixth Form and are proud to serve our diverse and vibrant community. In 2025, we were recognised as one of the Top 10 best non-selective state schools in the UK based on GCSE outcomes, reflecting our strong culture of aspiration, exceptional teaching, and commitment to every child’s success. The school was also named among the Top 50 happiest schools in the UK in Ofsted’s official wellbeing survey — a testament to the positive relationships, high standards of behaviour and supportive environment that underpin our ethos.
We are proudly inclusive, with a specialist resource provision (SRP) for pupils whose primary need is Autism Spectrum Condition, ensuring that all young people are able to learn, thrive and belong.
Our commitment extends not only to pupils but also to the people who work with them every day. We are dedicated to attracting, retaining and sustaining an expert workforce through high-quality talent development, ensuring that our staff are skilled, motivated and well supported. By investing in professional learning, coaching, wellbeing and leadership pathways, we ensure that our teachers can flourish — and that our students benefit from consistently excellent teaching.

We invite applications from candidates with the following attributes for this role:

• Experience of the role of an Assistant Headteacher in current or previous role or having had relevant experience of leading areas within education;
• A proven track record of leadership and management;
• Passionate about making a difference to the lives of children;
• Is resilient, reflective and solution focused.

Benefits of working at The Kingston Academy:

• Generous pay-scales, regularly paying 1% higher than National teacher Pay Scales;

• 2-week October Half Term break;

• Access to subsidised Cycle to Work scheme;

• Weekly Professional Development sessions at whole-school and departmental level;

• Professional support sessions for ECTs;

• Staff Laptop or Chromebook;

• Support with access to NPQH/NPQML/NPQSL qualifications;

• Subsidised study at Kingston University at Masters and Doctorate Level;

• Flexible working arrangements may be considered on request;

• Access to the Employees Assistance Programme, subsidised eye test and flu vaccinations;

• Work in a vibrant, supportive school environment where staff wellbeing is prioritised.

More details on the job description and person specification are provided in the candidate information pack.

Interview Procedure

Our selection procedure will aim to identify with rigour whether the candidate fulfils the requirements of the post and will include the consideration of the candidate’s suitability to work with children and young people. The process will include:

• Designated activities with the SLT

• Lesson Observation

• Pupil and Staff Panels

• Presentation and interview with Head Teacher, Senior Staff and Trustees

Early applications are welcome, and we reserve the right to appoint before the closing date if we find a suitable candidate.

Closing Date for Applications: Sunday 22nd February 2026

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment Statement

The Kingston Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks (with a barred list check for regulated activity), checks with past employers and eligibility to work in the UK. Identity and qualification documents will be checked prior to any offer being made.

Equal Opportunities

At The Kingston Academy, we believe that diversity enriches our school community and enhances the educational experience for all. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment that respects and celebrates the unique background, perspectives, and talents of our staff and students. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are dedicated to providing equal opportunities for everyone. Join us in fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion where every individual is valued and empowered to thrive.

We look forward to receiving your application.

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 The Kingston Academy

• School type: Free School, ages 11 to 19
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1178 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 19
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: The Kingston Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-kingston-academy

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