Deputy Headteacher
St Mary's Island Church of England (Aided) Primary School, Chatham, Kent, ME4 3ST9 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
22 June 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
9 June 2026
Job details
Job role
- Deputy headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £60,145.00 - £67,898.00 Annually (Actual)
Deputy Headteacher job summary
The St Mary's Island CEVA Primary School with Nursery are looking for a Deputy Headteacher following the retirement of the current postholder.
The Deputy Headteacher is a key member of the school’s leadership team, working closely with the Headteacher to support all aspects of school life and ensure the highest standards of care, safeguarding, teaching, and learning throughout the school. They contribute to both the strategic development and day-to-day leadership of the school, helping to shape a warm, nurturing, and ambitious environment in which every child is supported to thrive both emotionally and academically.
The role requires a collaborative and forward-thinking individual who leads by example, inspires and motivates staff, and fosters strong relationships with children, families, and colleagues. Working alongside the Headteacher and wider leadership team, the Deputy Headteacher will uphold and promote the school’s ethos, championing excellence through reflective, evidence-informed practice and a strong commitment to continuous improvement. The Deputy Headteacher will not have responsibility for a designated class but will be expected to teach when needed, supporting pupils, colleagues and the wider life of the school.
The Deputy Headteacher will also act as one of the Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs), taking shared responsibility for safeguarding, child welfare, and pastoral care across the school. The successful candidate will demonstrate a deep commitment to the wellbeing and development of every child, while ensuring that the school maintains the highest professional standards at all times.
This role would suit an experienced Deputy Headteacher seeking the opportunity to further develop their leadership experience, or a well-established senior leader ready to take the next step and make a meaningful contribution within a warm, ambitious, and highly regarded school.
You will have the knowledge, experience and resilience to drive improvement throughout the school as part of the team, with the interpersonal skills to motivate others and lead. You will be committed to providing a rich and engaging curriculum and promoting an inclusive ‘can do’ culture where all can flourish.
We are a three-form entry primary school with a nursery. A distinctive feature of St Mary's Island School is that it shares the premises with our local St Mary's Island Church, who are actively engaged with the school and delivery of its Christian ethos, visions and values.
Job Description
Core Purpose
To support the Headteacher in the strategic leadership and management of the school
To deputise for the Headteacher in their absence
To take a lead role in monitoring and evaluating the quality of teaching and learning across the school
Key Responsibilities
Support, and contribute to the school’s commitment to equity of opportunity for all pupils and staff
With the Headteacher, be responsible for the compilation, review and development of school documentation, including policies
Operate at all times within the stated policies and procedures of the school
Establish effective working relationships and set a strong example through their personal and professional conduct
Demonstrate commitment to the involvement of parents in their children’s learning
Endeavour to give every child the opportunity to reach their potential and meet high expectations
Liaise effectively with parents and the Local Governing Board (LGB) as necessary
Support the school’s extra-curricular activities
Carry out any other duties as reasonably required by the Headteacher
Strategic Leadership
Contribute to the development, implementation, and evaluation of the School Development Plan (SDP)
Lead on specific whole-school initiatives (e.g. curriculum design, assessment)
Foster a culture of high expectations and professional standards amongst staff and pupils
Lead the development/maintenance of a creative, inclusive, and rigorous curriculum
Present reports and data to stakeholders including the Governing Board as required
Teaching and Learning and Assessment
Manage school-wide data systems to track pupil progress and coordinate interventions
Oversee the performance development of designated staff members, providing coaching and mentorship
Inclusion and Safeguarding
Act as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or Deputy DSL, ensuring all staff follow statutory guidance and that our school has robust safeguarding procedures in place
Lead on behaviour management strategies, ensuring a positive and safe learning environment
Maintain strong and positive relationships with parents, carers, and external agencies
Operational Management
Manage the daily routines of the school such as assemblies, staff rotas, class timetables and cover arrangements
Support with the recruitment and induction of new staff
Offer supportive line management of colleagues
Culture, Ethos & Community
Embrace the opportunity to inspire, develop and lead the wider-school team into the future, living out our Christian values and vision
Build on the strong and positive relationship that the school has with all stakeholders, including our local Church communities
Take positive action with children, families and local residents and groups to ensure the school is at the heart of the local community
In return, we can offer you:
A collaborative, committed and welcoming staff team, united by a shared ambition for excellence and dedicated to the school's distinctive Christian vision and values
Enthusiastic, well-motivated and happy children who are curious, engaged and encouraged to become independent, confident learners
A supportive and engaged parent community that values strong partnerships between home and school
Attractive, well-maintained buildings and learning environments that provide an excellent setting for teaching and learning
The support, challenge and encouragement of an active, committed and highly supportive governing body
A unique opportunity to work alongside the new Headteacher in shaping an exciting chapter for the school, helping to influence its future direction, culture and continued success
Professional development and leadership opportunities, enabling you to grow as a leader while making a meaningful impact within the school
Opportunities to collaborate, contribute and make a difference across Medway, the Rochester Diocese and wider professional networks
Access to local and national networks that provide support, collaboration, professional challenge and opportunities to learn from and share best practice with others
Visits to the school are warmly welcomed and encouraged.
Please contact Mrs L Croombs (office@st-marys-island.medway.sch.uk or phone 01634 891050) to make an appointment to visit the school with the new Headteacher, Sarah Prest. Visits are taking place on 12th June and 18th June.
Please visit our website St Mary's Island Primary School - Home for further information.
St Mary's Island CEVA School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment to keeping children safe. Any offer of employment will be subject to statutory pre-employment checks including satisfactory references, online checks, Enhanced DBS, and Barred List checks. This post is exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (as amended in 2013 & 2020) and shortlisted candidates will be required to disclose any relevant criminal history prior to interview. Candidates must also be able to demonstrate their Right to Work in the United Kingdom.
Closing date: Monday 22nd June 2026 at Midnight
Shortlisting: Wednesday 24th June 2026
Interviews: Monday 29th or Tuesday 30th June
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 St Mary's Island Church of England (Aided) Primary School
- School type
- Local authority maintained school, Church of England, ages 3 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary school
- School size
- 674 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
School location
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