Deputy Headteacher: Pastoral Care

Matthew Moss High School, Rochdale, Lancashire, OL11 3LU

14 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2026

• Closing date

  22 April 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  8 April 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Deputy headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 3, Key stage 4
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Pay scale: L18 - L22

What skills and experience we're looking for

Who We Are

At Matthew Moss High School, we believe education is about empowering young people for a life of learning both satisfying to themselves and of significant value to others. We want our learners to be treated with dignity and fully developed as citizens. We are proud of our diverse and cohesive community, where relationships are at the heart of our school.

We are a“Good”school (Ofsted 2024) and are over-subscribed. Inspectors recently noted that“Pupils at Matthew Moss High School feel safe and happy”and that“Pupils build strong relationships with staff.”

We build character through our three core values:

• Respect everyone, fear no-one.
• The desire to learn is universal.
• Thoughtful hard work shifts anything.

Underpinning these values is our CHANGE ethos which informs everything we do:

We are seeking a visionary and strategic Deputy Headteacher to become the architect of our pastoral care, ensuring all learners are treated equally and have access to the full range of life-changing opportunities.

The Role: Leading with Purpose

As a significant member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will embody our core values by leading pastoral care across the school. Your mission will include:

• Relational Practice (Composure & Empathy):You will lead the universal offer of our culture and relational habits, ensuring pupils have adults they can speak to and feel supported by.
• Strategic Pastoral Leadership (High Standards):You will be responsible for the strategic oversight of attendance, relationships, and behaviour, fostering strong attitudes to learning across the school.
• Data-Driven Impact (Agency):You will use rigorous tracking and monitoring of data to align pastoral care with academic outcomes, ensuring no learner is left behind.
• Effective Inclusion (Growth Mindset):You will lead high-impact interventions and strategies that celebrate diversity, ensuring our pastoral curriculum exceeds requirements and prepares learners for life in a modern society.

Who You Are

We require a leader who is as organised as they are empathetic. You should be:

• A Champion of the CHANGE Ethos:A passionate advocate who models our ethos in every interaction.
• A Strategic Architect:Able to use data to track engagement and ensure all of our community are reaching for the highest goals.
• A Culture Builder:Someone who can motivate staff and maintain a positive school culture where “staff feel well supported with their workload and well-being.”
• Grounded & Resilient:Leadership is demanding; a sense of humour and a “fear no-one” attitude toward challenges are essential for our school culture.

Apply Now

Ready to shape the future of our young people? If so, we look forward to receiving your application.

• Closing Date:22nd April 2026 at 11.59pm
• Interviews:30th April and 1st May 2026
• Tours:We’d love to show you around. Contact Charlotte Longthorne at clongthorne@mmhs.co.uk the school to arrange a visit.

Watergrove Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Appointments are subject to enhanced DBS clearance.

What the school offers its staff

Why Join Matthew Moss High School?

Part of the Watergrove Trust, we serve a diverse community in Rochdale. We offer:

• A transformational ethos where you can truly make your mark.
• Exceptional CPD and career progression opportunities.
• A friendly, welcoming staff community and wonderful learners.
• Excellent facilities and a commitment to your own professional development.

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

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. Appointment to this post is therefore subject to pre-employment checks including enhanced Disclosure and Barring and background checks.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Additional documents

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

Deputy-Headteacher-JD_PS-2026.docx-1.pdf - 342 KB (opens in new tab)

About Matthew Moss High School

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 16
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1221 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Matthew Moss High School website
• Email address: clongthorne@mmhs.co.uk
• Phone number: 01706 632910
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/matthew-moss-high-school

Matthew Moss High School is an oversubscribed school with a “Good” Ofsted judgement and an established reputation for providing excellent professional development within a culture of learning and innovation.

Arranging a visit to Matthew Moss High School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email clongthorne@mmhs.co.uk.

School location

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