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