Deputy Head
Watling View School, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 2NU14 days remaining to apply
Start date details
1st September 2026
Closing date
29 April 2026 at 6pm
Date listed
15 April 2026
Job details
Job role
- Deputy headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £78,605.00 - £86,569.00 Annually (Actual) L17-L21
Deputy Head job summary
Watling View is a school for young people aged 2-19 with severe and profound learning difficulties. Our aim is to support every individual so that that can be the best they can and are prepared for their life beyond Watling View School. We are about to embark on an exciting opportunity to grow in capacity. During the 2026 - 2027 academic year we are going to be opening a 32 place satellite provision in Potters Bar.
As Deputy Headteacher, you will:
Provide both strategic and operational direction for the school
Oversee the daily organisation and ensure the smooth running of the school
Lead on ITT and ECT programmes, supporting the next generation of teachers
Act as the Safeguarding Lead, ensuring the highest standards of pupil welfare
Lead on developing teaching across the school
Serve as a key link between educational and therapy teams
Support recruitment, retention, and staff development including leading on staff induction
Lead on the annual review process making sure the school continues to fulfil its statutory responsibilities
Lead and contribute to strategic improvement and quality assurance initiatives
Deputise for the Headteacher as needed
Lead on PSHEEC and Personal Development
Lead on another school development area, tailored to your strengths
Work alongside the FLA to promote positive home to school relationships
Teach a small number of lessons as agreed with the headteacher.
What we offer:
A new starter induction programme
Membership to Herts Rewards - employee benefits scheme with discounts and cashback
Comprehensive Healthcare and Wellbeing package
Ongoing professional development (CPD)
Generous pension provision
Various staff social events throughout the year
Optional Childcare Vouchers scheme
Annual appraisal and Occasional Day
Free on-site car parking
Safeguarding Commitment:
Watling View School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All posts are subject to enhanced DBS and reference checks.
Diversity Commitment:
We are committed to creating a diverse workforce and welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of background.
Ready to make a difference? Apply today and join a thriving, supportive school community!
Application:
Visits to the school prior to application are highly recommended. Please call Jo Roberts 01727 850560 #6 to arrange an appointment. You can visit our website www.watlingview.herts.sch.uk.
Please contact the school office for further information and to talk to the Head Teacher. Applications can be made online at www.mynewterm.com or www.teachinherts.com. Please do not send CV’s as they will not be considered. No agencies.
Job Description
Purpose of the Role:
The Deputy Headteacher will play an instrumental role in the ongoing development of Waling View School and will be pivotal in both the strategic and operational direction for Watling View School, supporting the school to achieve its aims. The postholder will lead on a range of areas outlined below.
Key Responsibilities
Provide strategic and operational direction, supporting the school’s vision and aims
Lead on the day-to-day organisation of the school, including staff distribution and ensuring the smooth running of daily operations
Lead on Initial Teacher Training (ITT) and Early Career Teacher (ECT) programmes, including developing and implementing support programmes
Act as the designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring robust safeguarding policies and practices
Lead the whole school teaching and learning strategy, developing and improving teaching across the school
Provide a key link between the education staff and the therapy team, facilitating effective communication and collaboration
Support the recruitment and retention of staff, contributing to a positive and supportive work environment including leading the induction programme
To lead on the whole school annual review process, ensuring statutory requirements are fulfilled
Contribute to, and lead, areas of strategic improvement and school-wide evaluation
Take an active role in the school’s quality assurance programme, including leading on specific areas as agreed
Deputise for the Headteacher in their absence
Lead on another agreed area of school development, based on the postholder’s skills and knowledge
Contribute to other collective and whole-school responsibilities, as required
Lead on the PSHEEC curriculum and area of personal development
To work collaboratively alongside the school’s Family Liaison Advisor to promote positive home to school communication and working relationships.
To undertake any professional duties reasonably delegated by the Headteacher.
The successful candidate will teach a small number of lessons as agreed with the Headteacher.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training:
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
Evidence of ongoing professional development relevant to leadership and management
Experience:
Significant teaching experience, for pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties
Experience of managing and leading teams, including at middle and senior leadership level
Experience in safeguarding and child protection
Experience of implementing and evaluating school improvement initiatives
Skills and Knowledge:
Strong knowledge of current educational legislation and guidance
Excellent organisational and communication skills
Ability to lead and manage change effectively
Sound understanding of safeguarding and child protection requirements
Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships across teams
Skilled in developing and delivering staff training programmes
Knowledge of effective teaching, learning, and assessment strategies
Personal Qualities:
High expectations for all pupils and staff
Commitment to upholding and promoting the ethos and values of the school
Ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively
Integrity, honesty, loyalty, and fairness
Flexible and adaptable approach
Commitment to equality and diversity
Commitment to maintaining confidentiality
Full UK driving licence
Safeguarding:
Watling View School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments will be subject to satisfactory completion of safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check and reference checks.
Watling View School is committed to creating a diverse workforce. We’ll consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, religion, belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, age, disability, marriage or civil partnership.
Staff are expected to comply with any reasonable request from the Headteacher to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified within this job description. This job description is current at the date shown, but it will be reviewed regularly, to reflect changes in the job commensurate with the job title, purpose and grade and in response to school improvement priorities.
The appointment is subject to the current conditions of employment in the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions.
Appointment to this post is subject to satisfactory clearance of enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, including the barred list, as well as all other pre-appointment checks, including social media, in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (2025). Online searches will be carried out at part of due diligence during the recruitment process.
Watling View is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Further information about the job
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.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Watling View School
- School type
- Special school, ages 2 to 19
- School size
- 111 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 2 to 19
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Watling View School website
Watling View School is a maintained special school in St Albans, Hertfordshire. The school caters for up to 92 pupils, from 2-19 years, with a wide range of complex and profound learning difficulties. These include severe autism, complex medical conditions, physical and mobility difficulties, as well as severe developmental delay.
We are passionate about our vision, which guides us in all that we do for our pupils. "Watling View - Be kind, Be responsible, Be the Best You Can"
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