Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet—one of the country’s leading state schools—is seeking to appoint an exceptional senior leader to the newly created role of Deputy Head (Staff).

With a 450‑year history, six consecutive Outstanding Ofsted ratings, national‑leading academic results, and recognition as The Sunday Times State Secondary School of the Year 2026, QE offers a uniquely ambitious and high‑performing environment in which able, hardworking boys flourish. Our ethos is rooted in scholarship, high expectations and service, and we seek a leader who will help ensure that our staff culture continues to reflect these values.

The Role

This new and significant Senior Leadership Team position carries strategic responsibility for the leadership, development, wellbeing, performance and compliance of all teaching and support staff. The postholder will ensure that QE continues to attract, develop and retain colleagues of the highest calibre, sustaining a professional culture aligned with the School’s mission “to produce young men who are confident, able and responsible”.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Whole‑school performance management and professional standards
• CPD strategy, leadership development and staff culture
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion across the staff lifecycle
• Recruitment, safer recruitment and induction
• Staff wellbeing, workload, voice and professional culture
• Leadership of HR processes, including investigations, capability and compliance
• Leadership of ITT, ECTs and the Early Career Framework
• Responsibility for the Single Central Record and all staff‑related policies
• Regular reporting to the Headmaster and Governors on workforce trends, EDI metrics, and staff development priorities

The Deputy Head (Staff) will be a visible and influential member of the SLT, contributing fully to whole‑school strategy, safeguarding leadership, risk assessment, and operational routines.

About You

We are seeking a leader who is:

Professionally accomplished

• QTS and substantial senior and middle leadership experience in a high‑performing secondary school.
• A proven track record in staff development, cultural leadership, and raising standards.
• Strong understanding of HR processes, safer recruitment, statutory compliance and employment law.
• Experienced with ITT, ECT/ECF provision, and performance management systems.
• Skilled in data analysis, including EDI and workforce metrics.

Personally impressive

• Warm, principled, emotionally intelligent and collaborative.
• An outstanding communicator with high expectations of self and others.
• Able to handle sensitive matters with discretion, integrity and resilience.
• Deeply aligned with QE’s ethos of scholarship, meritocracy and responsibility.

Why Join QE?

• A highly rewarding professional environment with exceptional pupils and colleagues.
• National‑leading academic standards and a vibrant co‑curricular culture.
• Ambitious strategic vision through our Boundless development plan.
• State‑sector innovation, including the QE Global Schools initiative with branch campuses under development in Dubai Sports City and Gurugram, India.
• A strong, supportive and intellectually stimulating staff community.

The role carries senior‑staff contractual expectations, including an extended notice period and specified on‑site working hours during term time.

How to Apply

Applications must be made via the School’s My New Term portal, available through our website.

Your application should include a supporting statement outlining your motivation, suitability, and how you meet the Qualifications and Experience criteria of the Person Specification.

Closing date: 9am, Monday 2 March 2026.

Shortlisted candidates will take part in at least two rounds of interviews, including a visit to the School, meetings with stakeholders, and the observation of a taught lesson.

For a confidential discussion, please contact the Headmaster’s PA, Nicola Weston, at recruitment@qebarnet.co.uk.

We are an equal opportunities employer. Queen Elizabeth’s is a dynamic school supported by a diverse and enthusiastic community of staff, pupils, parents and alumni. It is important that our staff reflect the diversity of our community, and we therefore welcome and encourage applications from people of all genders and sexual orientation, those from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic backgrounds, and from those with disabilities.

Queen Elizabeth’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.  Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service.