John Rankin School is seeking to appoint an experienced, committed and highly effective Deputy Headteacher to join the School Leadership Team.

This is a significant leadership role with responsibility for supporting the Headteacher in the overall leadership, organisation and management of the school. The successful candidate will deputise for the Headteacher when required and will take delegated responsibility for major areas of school improvement and operational leadership.

The role will include leadership of behaviour, attendance, punctuality, safeguarding, inclusion, pastoral provision and support for disadvantaged and vulnerable students. The postholder will also contribute to self-evaluation, school improvement planning, statutory compliance, colleague development and the effective deployment and performance management of teaching and support colleagues.

The Deputy Headteacher will be expected to provide visible, credible and values-led leadership. They will work closely with colleagues, governors, families, external agencies and Trust leaders to support a safe, inclusive and high-performing school culture. The role includes line management responsibility for SEND, Inclusion and Pastoral teams, and academic departments as agreed.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead delegated areas of the school improvement plan, ensuring priorities are implemented, monitored and evaluated effectively. 

• Secure high standards of behaviour, attendance, punctuality, safeguarding and inclusion across the school. 

• Provide strategic leadership for the support of disadvantaged and vulnerable students, including those eligible for pupil premium, looked-after children, students with SEND, those with medical or behavioural needs and persistent absentees. 

• Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of whole-school behaviour systems, ensuring expectations are clear, fair and consistently applied. 

• Maintain oversight of safeguarding practice, ensuring policies, procedures and systems meet statutory and Trust requirements. 

• Act as Child Protection Designated Lead and maintain the appropriate level of qualification. 

• Provide line management and professional support for the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead. 

• Lead and support effective pastoral systems that enable tutors, Heads of Year and inclusion colleagues to provide coordinated student support. 

• Ensure effective support structures are in place for students requiring alternative provision, including appropriate checks and service level agreements. 

• Support the effective deployment, development and performance management of colleagues. 

• Lead the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of high-impact PSHE and PSMSC programmes. 

• Monitor and evaluate progress, attainment, attendance, behaviour and punctuality, including for disadvantaged and vulnerable students. 

• Contribute to self-evaluation, school improvement planning and strategic development. 

• Build positive professional relationships with students, families, colleagues, governors, Trust leaders and external partners. 

• Deputise for the Headteacher as required.