Deputy Headteacher
Alton Park Junior School, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 1DL18 days remaining to apply
Start date details
1st January 2027
Closing date
16 October 2026 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
28 September 2026
Job details
Job role
- Deputy headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full time equivalent salary
- £64,691.00 - £71,330.00 Annually (Actual) Leadership Pay Range, Points L10 - L14
Deputy Headteacher job summary
Join a Community Where Everyone Matters at Alton Park Junior School
Are you an inspiring, ambitious, and resilient leader ready to make a transformational impact?
Alton Park Junior School are seeking an exceptional Deputy Headteacher to join our dedicated Senior Leadership Team. Working closely alongside the Headteacher, you will play a pivotal role in driving continuous school improvement, embedding high expectations, and cultivating a nurturing, inclusive environment where pupils are supported academically, physically, socially, and emotionally.
In this role, you will take lead responsibility for safeguarding as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), champion positive behaviour, inclusion, and character through our tiered support frameworks, and oversee our exciting Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) programme. If you are a passionate leader of learning who can broaden horizons, inspire a life-long love of learning, and empower pupils with tenacity and motivation, we would love to hear from you!
Key Responsibilities:
- Safeguarding & DSL Oversight: Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), ensuring total statutory compliance with Keeping Children Safe in Education, leading the safeguarding team, and managing multi-agency support.
- Behaviour, Character & Inclusion: Drive whole-school behaviour standards using a tiered support model, enforce our Anti-Bullying Policy, and champion inclusive practices that remove barriers to learning for vulnerable pupils.
- Play & Environment: Lead the implementation of the Behaviour Curriculum and OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) programme to ensure structured, purposeful, and engaging play experiences.
- School Improvement: Contribute significantly to the School Improvement Plan (SIP) and Self-Evaluation Form (SEF), line managing key teams, and supporting staff development and well-being.
- Teaching & Learning: Model outstanding classroom practice and support teaching and learning across the school to drive pupil achievement.
What We're Looking For:
You are the perfect fit for our team if you have:
- Qualifications & Experience: UK Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with proven senior leadership experience within the primary sector.
- Safeguarding Expertise: Experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (or strong operational safeguarding background) with an unwavering commitment to child protection.
- People Leadership: An enthusiastic, approachable, and motivational leader with the ability to inspire, challenge, and empower staff while building strong relationships with families and the community.
- Inclusion & Behaviour Vision: A deep understanding of inclusive practice, trauma-informed/TPP approaches, and effective behaviour management strategies.
- Integrity & Resilience: High levels of personal integrity, excellent communication skills, and the resilience needed to lead under pressure.
Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.
Why Choose The Sigma Trust?
We believe in investing in our staff and fostering a culture of collaboration. We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive package designed to support your professional and personal life.
Professional Development:
- A robust CPD training program that empowers you to flourish.
- Unrivalled opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across strong Trust-wide networks, sharing ideas and building strong professional relationships.
Employee Benefits:
- A competitive salary and excellent pension scheme.
- A Health Cash Plan and Employee Assistance Programme for your well-being.
- Exclusive perks like access to Perkbox discounts, a Cycle to Work scheme, discounted gym memberships, and eligibility for a Blue Light Card.
Commitment to Safeguarding & Diversity
The Sigma Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to safer recruitment processes, including the disclosure of criminal records, online checks and other vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across our schools.
The Sigma Trust is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of any protected characteristics. This is embedded in our vision ‘To Be Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts’, where we believe we are strong and more successful working together, creating a workplace which celebrates diversity.
To Apply:
Ready to take the next step? Submit an application on My New Term by midday (12pm) on Friday 16th October 2026.
Interviews are expected to take place on Thursday 22nd October 2026.
Please note that we reserve the right to close this advert early should we receive an overwhelming response. Candidates may be invited to interview prior to the closing date, so an early application is advised.
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 Alton Park Junior School
- Organisation type
- Academy, ages 7 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary school
- Size
- 394 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 7 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
School location
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