Deputy Headteacher

Shaftesbury School, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8ER

18 days remaining to apply

• Closing date

  12 May 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  24 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: Competitive Remuneration Package
• Additional allowances:

  Competitive Remuneration Package

Deputy Headteacher job summary

Shaftesbury School is a non-selective 11 - 18 school with just over 800 students on roll. For more than 300 years, the school has been a place of learning at the heart of the local community. This still holds true today as most of our students come from Shaftesbury and the surrounding area.

Our commitment to providing an outstanding education for our young people is our number one driver. We strive to nurture a compassionate and supportive community where every individual can flourish. Being part of a local Trust, Sherborne Area Schools’ Trust (SAST) creates great opportunities for collaboration with other like-minded schools. Our core values: Belonging, Empathy, Service, Thrive and Christian values underpin everything we do.

We are looking for an energetic and aspirational leader to join our talented senior leadership team. As sole Deputy, you will specifically lead on improving the quality of education and raise standards so that our young people get the best possible experience and opportunities.

With a love of learning you will have a track record of leading change. You may be an aspiring Assistant Principal who is ready to step up to a role at this level. Alternatively, you may be an experienced senior leader looking for the opportunity to be innovative to respond to the changing educational landscape locally and nationally in schools. Either way leading others will be a natural strength and will set you apart.

If you are attracted by the scope of the role, can build on our strengths and lead further success then download full details on the role from www.pentir.com/roles/shaftesbury. For an initial confidential discussion please call our contact Mike Phillips (07830 313 915, mike.phillips@pentir.com) at our advising consultants Pentir.

The post is subject to safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check and Children’s Barred List check.

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

Safeguarding responsibilities associated with this role will include engagement in regulatory activity, such as administering first aid or supporting an upset child. It will have contact with young people on a day-to day basis. SAST 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 candidate will meet the person specification and is subject to an enhanced DBS and Children’s Barred List check. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

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.

About Shaftesbury School

• School type: Academy, Church of England, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 864 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Shaftesbury School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/shaftesbury-school

In our most recent inspection in March 2023, we were delighted that we were judged by Ofsted as being “Good”. The report reflects the wonderful quality of education we provide, the nurturing environment we have cultivated, and the positive impact we make on the lives of our students. The inspectors commended our commitment to excellence, the strength of our teaching and learning, and the exceptional progress our students have made under the guidance of our team. Our SIAMS inspection also highlighted that we have areas of excellence across the school community and we are a place where young people thrive.

At Shaftesbury School we hold an educational vison close to hearts of everyone “being the best they can be”. Just as Jesus used the parable of The Good Samaritan to explain, “love thy neighbour as thyself”, we too have this at the root of our ethos. This vision and ethos is brought to life through our core values; Belonging, Empathy, Service and Thrive. Staff have the highest expectations of every student and guide them to ensure they become confident learners, who will leave Shaftesbury School with an excellent level of knowledge, skills and experience to flourish in an ever-changing world.

We are pleased to be part of SAST. There is real strength in coming together with a collective responsibility for all of the children’s development and progress between 0-19 years. We believe in preserving schools in the local community. This means that there will be considerable local expertise to support staff with the chance to make a contribution to any wider developments.

Shaftesbury School is a great place to work and is a beautiful town itself; most students come from Shaftesbury and the surrounding area. The school is set on the edge of the town, close to the A303 and within easy commuting distance from the south coast of England, Bath, Salisbury, Yeovil and Wimborne.  

School location

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