Assistant Headteacher - Whatley Campus

Melrose School, Mitcham/ Raynes Park, Surrey, CR4 3BE

13 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 January 2027

• Closing date

  12 October 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  29 September 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Assistant headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 1, Key stage 2, Key stage 3, Key stage 4
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Pay scale: L09 to L13

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are seeking to appoint an outstanding, ambitious and inspirational Assistant Headteacher to join our senior leadership team.

This is an exciting opportunity for a talented leader who is passionate about improving outcomes for pupils and supporting the strategic development of the school. The successful candidate will work closely with the Headteacher and other senior leaders to drive school improvement, promote high standards of teaching and learning, and ensure that every pupil is supported to achieve their full potential.

The successful candidate will be an excellent classroom practitioner with a proven track record of leadership and a commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive and aspirational culture across the school.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Headteacher in providing strategic leadership and management of the school.
• Lead on whole-school improvement priorities.
• Drive high standards of teaching, learning and assessment.
• Monitor pupil progress and attainment, ensuring effective interventions are in place.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of school policies and procedures.
• Support the development, wellbeing and performance of staff.
• Promote safeguarding and ensure the welfare of all pupils remains paramount.
• Build positive relationships with pupils, parents, governors and external agencies.
• Contribute to self-evaluation and school improvement planning.

We Are Looking For Someone Who:

• Holds Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• Has a strong record of successful teaching and leadership experience.
• Demonstrates a commitment to raising standards and improving outcomes for all pupils.
• Has excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills.
• Can inspire, motivate and support staff and pupils.
• Is resilient, innovative and solution-focused.
• Has a thorough understanding of current educational practice and statutory requirements.
• Is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Safeguarding Statement

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, online searches and satisfactory references.

Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a sufficient number of suitable applications. Applicants are therefore encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

What the school offers its staff

We Offer

• An opportunity to make a significant contribution to the strategic direction of the school.
• A supportive and dedicated leadership team.
• Motivated pupils who are eager to learn.
• Excellent professional development and career progression opportunities.
• A positive and inclusive working environment.
• Access to employee wellbeing support and benefits.
• Onsite Gym

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 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.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

Recruitment Pack Assistant Headteacher.pdf - 762 KB (opens in new tab)

About Melrose School

• Organisation type: Special school, ages 5 to 16
• Size: 166 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 5 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: Melrose School website
• Email address: lpattenden@melbury.merton.sch.uk
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/melrose-school

At Melrose, we cater for pupils with social, emotional, mental health needs and many have additional challenges and diagnoses and present with difficulties in social communication and emotional regulation.  We pride ourselves on the specialist support and nurturing environment we offer which enables pupils to access tailored support and learning so that each young person is able to engage positively in education and fulfil their potential. 


Within our Primary provision, we have four mixed-aged classes.  Each class has a teacher and two teaching assistants with class sizes of around six pupils. All pupils access the National Curriculum which is adapted and delivered creatively to support learner engagement.  Specialist SALT and OT provision is integrated into the primary curriculum. In Year 7, we run a ‘nurture class’ which bridges the transition from primary into secondary education.  This runs similar to a primary model where pupils are taught for the majority of the school day by one teacher in their classroom with some specialist teaching throughout the week.  From Year 8 onwards, pupils work in tutor groups and access specialist teacher across the week, moving around the school. Class sizes in Secondary are around six pupils with a teaching assistant supporting each lesson. At Secondary, pupils access a GCSE pathway which is supported with a vocational offer at Key Stage 4.  Across the school we provide ‘Social Development Opportunities’ which offer structured enrichment activities to develop skills such as teamwork and resilience.  The work across our school is underpinned by our trauma-informed practices. 


We welcome all prospective candidates for a telephone call or visit where you can find more information about our school. 

Melrose School- Nurturing Success

Arranging a visit to Melrose School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email lpattenden@melbury.merton.sch.uk.

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