Deputy Headteacher
Salary: L17 – L21 (Fringe allowance)
Start Date: 1st September 2026
Contract: Full-time
Be a significant part of the Leadership Team at this high performing school where every young person thrives. As our Deputy Headteacher, you will be central to shaping our vision, driving improvement and ensuring excellent day-to-day provision across the school. You will work in close partnership with the Headteacher, Senior Deputy Head and the Leadership Team, deputising when required and leading whole-school priorities.
Why Guildford County?
With an outstanding Ofsted rating from both 2017 and 2023, Guildford County School is celebrated for delivering a rich and varied learning experience. Our students are eager to learn, motivated and committed to excellence.
About the role
• Set and deliver strategic priorities aligned to our school improvement plan, being a custodian for the school and ambitious for the future, modelling a culture of ambition, wellbeing and continuous improvement;
• You will have the highest standards of professionalism, and seek to transform the lives of others as a direct result of your work;
• You will place learning and progress at the heart of your daily life and act always with an equitable approach to school improvement;
• Lead and develop colleagues: line-manage, develop and grow talent;
• Secure consistently excellent Learning and Teaching: refine curriculum, assessment and pedagogy; use evidence and data to identify need and measure impact.
• Drive inclusion and personalisation so that every learner succeeds; build strong partnerships with parents and carers.
• Uphold a rigorous safeguarding culture; lead aspects of behaviour, attendance and wellbeing with a restorative, compassionate approach.
• Strengthen community links and collaborate with partners across the trust, sharing effective practice.
This role will evolve over time to reflect school priorities and the development of leadership capacity. Specific areas of responsibility will be determined in discussion with the successful candidate to maintain a balanced and collaborative leadership structure.
Who we’re looking for:
• An established senior leader with a track record of raising standards and developing others;
• Successful experience of monitoring and developing Learning and Teaching;
• Working to develop a rich knowledge of the new Ofsted inspection framework;
• Confident use of performance data and evaluation to secure improvement;
• High-level skill in management, motivation and pastoral leadership, with the ability to develop strong and professional relationships with children;
• Excellent communication skills with adults and young people;
• A high level of digital fluency;
• Strategic thinking, sound judgement and the resilience to deliver under pressure;
• A passionate belief in every student’s potential;
• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children;
• A commitment to the wider life of the school.
Why join us?
You will help shape an ambitious, evidence-informed culture, empowering staff, students and other stakeholders innovating in teaching, curriculum and digital fluency. You will both influence and shape whole-school strategy, lead meaningful change and make a visible difference to wellbeing and outcomes.
Visits from prospective candidates are welcome. Steve Smith, Headteacher, would be delighted to meet with you. To arrange a tour and visit, please contact Sarah Mackenzie stating your preferred time:
- Tue 25 Nov, 11:10–12:10;
- Thu 27 Nov, 09:00–10:00;
- Tue 2 Dec, 10:30–11:30.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share in this obligation. The successful candidate will be required to undertake an enhanced disclosure by the DBS.
How to Apply:
For more information visit our vacancies page or watch our short recruitment film: Join The Team
If you are interested in applying for this role, please use the attached application form.
Contact: Sarah Mackenzie
Closing Date: 9.00am, Tuesday, 2nd December 2025
Interview Date: Tuesday, 9th December (long-listed candidates)
Wednesday, 10th December (short-list from day one)
We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to be part of Learning Partners Academy Trust. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workforce and particularly welcome suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to join our trust.