Assistant Headteacher
We are seeking to appoint a dynamic, committed and inspirational Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for Pastoral Leadership to join our Senior Leadership Team. This is an exciting opportunity for an outstanding practitioner with a strong passion for pastoral leadership and inclusive school culture. You will be someone who has (or can demonstrate clear potential for) successful leadership at middle or senior level. Show strong commitment to pastoral care, inclusion and safeguarding and possess the ability to inspire students and staff through clear vision and high expectations. This is a key role within the school, combining strategic leadership of pastoral systems with high-quality classroom practice including the teaching of GCSE and A Level in your subject specialism.
The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping a culture where every student feels safe, supported and able to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. You will play a part in the strategic direction of the school, with a particular emphasis on student wellbeing, behaviour, inclusion and personal development. We would especially welcome applicants with a background in Economics, Computing, Science or Religious Education.
St John the Baptist School (SJB) is an exceptionally high-performing school, as reflected in its recent Ofsted and CSI Inspections, where it was judged outstanding in every area. It is a community where staff are supported to thrive, grow and develop their careers. It is a school where teachers can teach effectively in classrooms with students who have a real thirst to learn. Furthermore, it is a place where you will be valued, and your wellbeing is considered as being of great importance. We believe the most effective learning takes place when staff feel happy, supported and appreciated, and we understand the vital role that support staff play in ensuring this. If you would like to know more about the role, and if you would like to come in and meet the team and discuss the opportunity further, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
St John the Baptist School (SJB) is a highly successful school where staff thrive and careers flourish. Our students have a genuine desire to learn, enabling teachers to teach effectively in a positive classroom environment. Staff wellbeing is a priority, and we believe the best learning happens when staff feel valued, supported, and appreciated.
If you would like to learn more about the role, meet the team, or discuss the opportunity further, please contact us.
Location: Woking, Surrey - 15 minute walk from the train station and excellent transport links via A3 and M25
Post: Assistant Headteacher
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Start Date: 1st September 2026
Pay Scale: London Fringe - Leadership Scale 10-16 (dependent on experience)
Closing Date: 9am on Wednesday 29 April - The school reserves the right to interview and appoint this position ahead of any advised application closing date should an appropriate candidate be found. Therefore, it is advisable to submit applications as early as possible.
About our School
St John the Baptist School, part of the Xavier Catholic Education Trust, is a highly successful, over-subscribed mixed Catholic school and sixth form based in Woking, Surrey.
We are incredibly proud of our school community and in particular our students who are hardworking, well-balanced and enjoy both learning and spending time with each other and our staff. We work in a very positive culture and strive to make all students’ time at school some of the happiest times of their lives.
Our staff are vibrant, enthusiastic, and passionate about ensuring our students get the very best deal. Standards at SJB are high and academic progress excellent. We work closely with the Xavier Teaching School Hub, Teach SouthEast SCITT and Schools Alliance for Excellence (SAfE) and lead the North East Hants and Surrey Maths Hub.
Our Ethos:
SJB is a community where every individual is highly valued and where care and concern for others is central to our work. We aim to blend academic learning with excellence pastoral care so that all students and staff thrive and feel successful.
We offer an excellent benefits package including:
• All teachers are allocated 15% PPA time; above the legal minimum required.
• An extensive range of benefits and discounts with ‘Mylifestyle’, our employee benefits hub including pre-tax car purchasing, cycle to work, dental care and many retailer discounts.
• Free use of the onsite gym (6-8am and 5-8pm weekdays)
• Generous Pension Scheme
• Excellent onsite catering facilities
• Free onsite parking
• Regular staff social events calendared throughout the year
Get in touch if you would like to come and visit us and find out more about this vacancy!
