Deputy Head Teacher
Handsworth Primary School, London, E4 9PJ28 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 January 2027
Closing date
11 December 2026 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
13 November 2026
Job details
Job role
- Deputy headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Early years, Key stage 1, Key stage 2
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- Leadership 9-13 (Outer London)
What skills and experience we're looking for
We are looking for an experienced, collaborative primary leader to join our senior leadership team as Deputy Headteacher. Working closely with the headteacher, you will lead teaching and learning, curriculum and professional development, line manage our Years 4 to 6 phase, and deputise for the headteacher when needed. You will also be our Inclusion Manager (SENCO), lead our Pupil Premium strategy and serve as one of our two Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads.
The successful candidate will have:
- Qualified Teacher Status and a degree
- successful senior leadership experience in a primary school, with a clear impact on teaching, learning and pupil outcomes
- consistently good or better teaching across more than one key stage
- experience of leading curriculum development and monitoring the quality of teaching across a school
- experience of leading professional development, including coaching and supporting early career teachers
- experience of coordinating SEND provision, including EHC needs assessment requests, annual reviews and work with external agencies
- the NPQ for SENCOs or NASENCO, or a willingness to complete the NPQ for SENCOs within three years of appointment
- experience of safeguarding casework, and DSL training or a willingness to complete it before taking up post
- thorough knowledge of the National Curriculum, the SEND Code of Practice and statutory safeguarding guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education and the Prevent duty
- the ability to use data and monitoring to judge standards, set priorities and secure improvement
- excellent communication and interpersonal skills, building strong relationships with pupils, staff, parents, governors and external agencies
- a commitment to safeguarding, equality and diversity, and anti-racist practice
We would particularly welcome applications from candidates who have experience as a SENCO, DSL or Deputy DSL, have led Pupil Premium strategy, have worked with a governing body, or hold or are working towards the NPQSL or NPQH.
Above all, we want an energetic, approachable and solutions-focused leader with high expectations for every child, who leads by example and handles sensitive information with integrity and discretion.
Applications will be considered upon receipt. Interviews will be organised as and when applications are received. The School reserves the right to interview and appoint before the closing date. Therefore, you are advised to submit your completed application form as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
What the school offers its staff
We are looking for an experienced, collaborative primary leader to join our senior leadership team as Deputy Headteacher. Working closely with the headteacher, you will lead teaching and learning, curriculum and professional development, line manage our Years 4 to 6 phase, and deputise for the headteacher when needed. You will also be our Inclusion Manager (SENCO), lead our Pupil Premium strategy and serve as one of our two Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads.
The successful candidate will have:
- Qualified Teacher Status and a degree
- successful senior leadership experience in a primary school, with a clear impact on teaching, learning and pupil outcomes
- consistently good or better teaching across more than one key stage
- experience of leading curriculum development and monitoring the quality of teaching across a school
- experience of leading professional development, including coaching and supporting early career teachers
- experience of coordinating SEND provision, including EHC needs assessment requests, annual reviews and work with external agencies
- the NPQ for SENCOs or NASENCO, or a willingness to complete the NPQ for SENCOs within three years of appointment
- experience of safeguarding casework, and DSL training or a willingness to complete it before taking up post
- thorough knowledge of the National Curriculum, the SEND Code of Practice and statutory safeguarding guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education and the Prevent duty
- the ability to use data and monitoring to judge standards, set priorities and secure improvement
- excellent communication and interpersonal skills, building strong relationships with pupils, staff, parents, governors and external agencies
- a commitment to safeguarding, equality and diversity, and anti-racist practice
We would particularly welcome applications from candidates who have experience as a SENCO, DSL or Deputy DSL, have led Pupil Premium strategy, have worked with a governing body, or hold or are working towards the NPQSL or NPQH.
Above all, we want an energetic, approachable and solutions-focused leader with high expectations for every child, who leads by example and handles sensitive information with integrity and discretion.
What does your school or college offer?
Handsworth Primary is a welcoming, inclusive and culturally diverse two-form entry school in Highams Park in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. We are a happy, thriving learning community of around 420 pupils, where diversity is celebrated and high aspirations are encouraged. We believe all children can succeed, and we aim to inspire them to be confident, curious and ambitious.
Our values of Trust, Hope, Relationship, Inclusion, Vision and Excellence are at the heart of everything we do. We believe that strong relationships between staff and children build a foundation of trust, and we work hard to create a culture of resilience where mistakes are part of learning and successes are celebrated.
We can offer you:
- happy, motivated children who love to learn
- a dedicated, friendly staff team and a supportive headteacher and governing body
- a genuine commitment to staff development, with investment in training for all staff and practice based on evidence and continuous learning
- the chance to shape our inclusion work and a curriculum that is contextually relevant, holistic and increasingly decolonised
- a school committed to equality, diversity and anti-racist practice, with a fair and unbiased recruitment process
- a rich wider offer for pupils, including Forest School, music, sports competitions, OPAL playtimes and clubs
- a strong pupil voice through our School Council, Sports Council, Eco-School team, Digital Leaders and Well-being Ambassadors
- an engaged parent community, supported by our Friends of Handsworth association
We welcome enquiries from everyone and value diversity in our staff. Visits to the school are warmly encouraged.
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 statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education.
Any offer of employment will 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 convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applying for the job
Please complete the online application.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
About Handsworth Primary School
- Organisation type
- Local authority maintained school, ages 4 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary school
- Size
- 418 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- Email address
- school@handsworth.waltham.sch.uk
- Phone number
- 02085275991
Handsworth Primary is a multicultural two-form entry school, situated in Highams Park in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. There are 420 pupils in our school. At the heart of our practice is the belief that highly effective relationships between staff and children provide a strong foundation of trust. We strive to create a culture of resilience; embracing the learning that takes place from making mistakes and celebrating our challenges and successes.
We are committed to providing a safe, secure and stimulating environment for our children, where everyone can develop their skills and talents in a variety of ways. We constantly reflect and monitor our progress and understand the importance of staff development.
Arranging a visit to Handsworth Primary School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email school@handsworth.waltham.sch.uk.
School location
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