Why join us?

Heron Hall Academy is an ambitious, eight-form entry mixed secondary school and a proud part of North Star Community Trust, a family of schools built on the belief that we are Stronger Together. The Trust plays a vital role in the communities it serves, creating real, lasting change through education, opportunity and support.

At Heron Hall, we share the Trust’s vision - to help every child succeed at school and in life. We live by the values of Education, Community, Opportunity , ensuring every pupil receives an excellent education, feels part of a strong and caring community, and has the chance to grow into a confident, well-rounded individual.  As soon as you enter Heron Hall, you feel the pride, purpose and unity that define us. Our high standards and inclusive culture ensure that every pupil is supported, challenged and inspired to reach their full potential. We believe in every child  and together, with North Star Community Trust, we help them believe in themselves.

About the role

We are seeking an exceptional and highly motivated Deputy Headteacher – Pastoral to join the senior leadership team at Heron Hall Academy.

This is a pivotal whole-school leadership role, responsible for driving high standards in behaviour, safeguarding, attendance, wellbeing and pastoral care. The successful candidate will play a central role in shaping a calm, safe, inclusive and aspirational culture where all pupils can succeed.

The Deputy Headteacher will provide both strategic and operational leadership, overseeing behaviour systems, pastoral interventions, alternative provision and safeguarding processes across the academy. You will lead and support Heads of Year and pastoral teams, monitor behaviour and attendance trends, implement targeted interventions and work closely with pupils, families and external agencies to ensure the best possible outcomes for every child.

As a visible and highly organised leader, you will promote high expectations, consistency and positive relationships throughout the academy community. The successful candidate will also serve as the  Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), ensuring safeguarding systems and procedures remain robust, compliant and effective.

What we are looking for

We are seeking an experienced, resilient and inspiring leader with a strong track record of improving behaviour, attendance and pastoral outcomes within a secondary school setting.

The successful candidate will hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), possess a degree or equivalent qualification and demonstrate a commitment to continued professional development. They will have significant leadership experience, including leading behaviour and pastoral systems, managing challenging situations effectively and working collaboratively with external agencies and partners.

You will have a strong understanding of safeguarding legislation and behaviour intervention strategies, alongside the ability to analyse attendance and behaviour data strategically to drive improvement. Excellent communication, organisational and leadership skills are essential, as is the ability to lead teams with clarity, consistency and professionalism.

We are looking for a visible and approachable leader who is calm under pressure, committed to inclusion and student wellbeing and driven by high expectations and a strong moral purpose.

What we offer

We are committed to being a supportive, caring and rewarding place to work and learn, and to being an employer of choice. A full overview of our offer, including staff benefits, our People Plan and what our staff say about working with us, can be found in the supporting documents attached.

Apply Now 

Shortlisted candidates may be invited to interview before the closing date. Early applications are strongly encouraged, as the vacancy may close early. Refer to our Application Process supporting document for more information.  We do not accept CVs. All applications must be submitted via My New Term.

Safeguarding statement

We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. As part of our recruitment process, the successful candidate will be required to undergo safer recruitment checks, including enhanced clearance through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and any other pre-employment checks relevant to their role.

Equal opportunities

We are committed to fostering a positive and inclusive working culture that reflects our Trust's ethos of being ‘Stronger Together.’ The Trust is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all. It aims to create a working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit.

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