Assistant Head - Quality of Culture (Maternity cover in the first instance)
| Posting date: | 26 September 2025 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 09 October 2025 |
| Location: | Wadebridge, Cornwall, PL27 6BU |
| Company: | Teaching Vacancies |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | ad7934a5-f62e-4e9d-90ac-9e5ab4f95b12 |
Summary
What skills and experience we're looking for
Are you passionate about inclusive education and driven to create high-quality learning environments for all students?
Wadebridge School is seeking a dynamic and visionary Assistant Headteacher to lead our pastoral provision for students and Head of Year teams.
Our CARE values –Community, Cooperation, Ambition, Achievement, Respect, Responsibility, Endeavour and Enjoyment, underpin everything we do. We are looking for an Assistant Headteacher who embodies these values and can inspire others to do the same.
Essential Criteria
Qualifications & Training
• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• Evidence of recent and relevant professional development in behaviour management, pastoral leadership, or student wellbeing
Experience
• Substantial experience in a leadership or senior pastoral role in a secondary school (minimum 3 years at middle leadership or higher)
• Proven impact in improving student behaviour, attitudes, and attendance across a large cohort
• Experience of leading and developing staff teams, including appraisal
• Successful impactful teaching experience in the secondary phase
• Experience of working with vulnerable students and those with SEND or behavioural challenges
• Experience of collaborating with external agencies (e.g. local authority, social services)
Knowledge & Skills
• In-depth knowledge of national and local policies relating to behaviour, attendance, safeguarding, and student welfare
• Ability to analyse and interpret data to inform strategic decisions
• High-level communication, organisational, and management skills
• Ability to set clear expectations, hold others to account, and challenge underperformance
• Ability to establish a positive ethos and high achievement for all students
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
Personal Qualities
• High expectations of self and others
• Ability to inspire, motivate, and empower staff and students
• Commitment to inclusion, equality, and diversity
• Resilience, adaptability, and a solution-focused approach
• Excellent interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence
Desirable Criteria
• NPQSL, NPQH, or other relevant leadership qualification
• Experience of leading whole-school initiatives or change management
• Knowledge of evidence-based approaches to managing whole school behaviour
• Understanding of the challenges facing disadvantaged students and strategies to address these
• Experience of working in partnership with parents and carers to improve outcomes
• Experience of leading or contributing to staff CPD on behaviour or pastoral care
• Awareness of the impact of behaviour on academic achievement and personal development
• Experience of working in a school with a similar context to Wadebridge
What the school offers its staff
What we offer:
• A supportive and forward-thinking leadership team
• A commitment to professional development and innovation
• A culture of high expectations and inclusive practice
• The opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of young people
Why Wadebridge?
Wadebridge School is an over subscribed highly successful 11-16 academy with a strong reputation for academic excellence and student support. We are proud to be a Single Academy Trust, meaning we can focus on what matters most – our students, staff, and wider community. As a school, we invest in professional development, encourage innovation, and provide a collaborative and supportive working environment.
A School that Cares – About Students & Staff
At Wadebridge School, we balance an unwavering focus on progress and achievement with a strong commitment to student wellbeing. We work tirelessly to support our young people in every aspect of their lives, ensuring they develop the skills and strategies needed to succeed academically and personally.
We also prioritise the health and wellbeing of our staff. In 2020, our work in this area was recognised with a Gold Award from the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools. Some of the wellbeing strategies we have implemented include:
• A strongly resourced and dedicated SEND Support Staffing Team
• High quality, regular CPD to drive aspirational student outcomes
• A dedicated team of Health Champions promoting positive staff wellbeing
• Department Planning Time (Additional PPA on top of statutory requirements) embedded with the 1265
• Access to both internal external high quality CPD opportunities
• Aspirational in our relentless pursuit to deliver strong outcomes for our students and wider community underpinned by our CARE Values on a daily basis.
Further details about the role
Job Description
Purpose of the Role
• To be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to the strategic direction and development of Wadebridge School.
• To provide strategic leadership for student engagement, rewards and pastoral care, ensuring high standards and a culture of inclusion, respect, and achievement.
• To line manage and develop the Year Teams (Head of Year and Pastoral Support Assistants) ensuring effective support for all students.
Key Responsibilities
Student Engagement
• Develop, monitor, and deliver whole-school student engagement policies and systems.
• Lead on the analysis of behaviour data, identifying trends and implementing targeted interventions.
• Support the reintegration of students following exclusions or significant absences, working closely with families and external agencies as appropriate.
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration between teaching staff, pastoral teams, and external partners.
• Line management of the Reflection room Mentor and Ready, Respectful Safe Room.
• Contribute to the School Improvement Plan, Self-Evaluation Form (SEF), and report to Governors on behaviour and pastoral outcomes.
Pastoral Care
• Promote a culture of care, respect, and inclusion, ensuring all students feel safe, supported, and able to thrive based on the CARE Values.
• Oversee the work of the Head of Year Team in delivering high-quality pastoral support, Tutor time provision, assemblies, and interventions.
• Oversee the Line management of Pastoral Support Assistants, ensuring their work is impactful and aligned with school priorities.
• Champion the needs of vulnerable students, including those with SEND, safeguarding concerns, or at risk of exclusion.
Staff Development & Line Management
• Lead, inspire, and develop the Head of Year Team and Pastoral Support Assistants, including appraisal and professional development.
• Identify training needs and deliver or coordinate relevant CPD for all staff.
• Foster a collaborative, reflective, and ambitious team culture.
Safeguarding & Inclusion
• Work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead to ensure all safeguarding policies and practices are robust and effective.
• Ensure all behaviour and pastoral interventions are inclusive and promote equality of opportunity.
Additional Duties
• Attend and contribute to SLT, Trustees’, and other relevant meetings.
• Represent the school at external events and with partner agencies as required.
• Undertake any other duties as reasonably required by the Headteacher.
Monitoring & Evaluation
• Use data to track progress and identify areas for improvement.
• Report regularly to SLT and Trustees
• Ensure rigorous evaluation of interventions and provision.
Commitment to safeguarding
⚠️ The school is committed to safeguarding children, and the successful applicant will be required to provide an enhanced DBS disclosure. All shortlisted candidates will be subject to appropriate online/social media searches.
Are you passionate about inclusive education and driven to create high-quality learning environments for all students?
Wadebridge School is seeking a dynamic and visionary Assistant Headteacher to lead our pastoral provision for students and Head of Year teams.
Our CARE values –Community, Cooperation, Ambition, Achievement, Respect, Responsibility, Endeavour and Enjoyment, underpin everything we do. We are looking for an Assistant Headteacher who embodies these values and can inspire others to do the same.
Essential Criteria
Qualifications & Training
• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• Evidence of recent and relevant professional development in behaviour management, pastoral leadership, or student wellbeing
Experience
• Substantial experience in a leadership or senior pastoral role in a secondary school (minimum 3 years at middle leadership or higher)
• Proven impact in improving student behaviour, attitudes, and attendance across a large cohort
• Experience of leading and developing staff teams, including appraisal
• Successful impactful teaching experience in the secondary phase
• Experience of working with vulnerable students and those with SEND or behavioural challenges
• Experience of collaborating with external agencies (e.g. local authority, social services)
Knowledge & Skills
• In-depth knowledge of national and local policies relating to behaviour, attendance, safeguarding, and student welfare
• Ability to analyse and interpret data to inform strategic decisions
• High-level communication, organisational, and management skills
• Ability to set clear expectations, hold others to account, and challenge underperformance
• Ability to establish a positive ethos and high achievement for all students
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
Personal Qualities
• High expectations of self and others
• Ability to inspire, motivate, and empower staff and students
• Commitment to inclusion, equality, and diversity
• Resilience, adaptability, and a solution-focused approach
• Excellent interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence
Desirable Criteria
• NPQSL, NPQH, or other relevant leadership qualification
• Experience of leading whole-school initiatives or change management
• Knowledge of evidence-based approaches to managing whole school behaviour
• Understanding of the challenges facing disadvantaged students and strategies to address these
• Experience of working in partnership with parents and carers to improve outcomes
• Experience of leading or contributing to staff CPD on behaviour or pastoral care
• Awareness of the impact of behaviour on academic achievement and personal development
• Experience of working in a school with a similar context to Wadebridge
What the school offers its staff
What we offer:
• A supportive and forward-thinking leadership team
• A commitment to professional development and innovation
• A culture of high expectations and inclusive practice
• The opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of young people
Why Wadebridge?
Wadebridge School is an over subscribed highly successful 11-16 academy with a strong reputation for academic excellence and student support. We are proud to be a Single Academy Trust, meaning we can focus on what matters most – our students, staff, and wider community. As a school, we invest in professional development, encourage innovation, and provide a collaborative and supportive working environment.
A School that Cares – About Students & Staff
At Wadebridge School, we balance an unwavering focus on progress and achievement with a strong commitment to student wellbeing. We work tirelessly to support our young people in every aspect of their lives, ensuring they develop the skills and strategies needed to succeed academically and personally.
We also prioritise the health and wellbeing of our staff. In 2020, our work in this area was recognised with a Gold Award from the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools. Some of the wellbeing strategies we have implemented include:
• A strongly resourced and dedicated SEND Support Staffing Team
• High quality, regular CPD to drive aspirational student outcomes
• A dedicated team of Health Champions promoting positive staff wellbeing
• Department Planning Time (Additional PPA on top of statutory requirements) embedded with the 1265
• Access to both internal external high quality CPD opportunities
• Aspirational in our relentless pursuit to deliver strong outcomes for our students and wider community underpinned by our CARE Values on a daily basis.
Further details about the role
Job Description
Purpose of the Role
• To be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to the strategic direction and development of Wadebridge School.
• To provide strategic leadership for student engagement, rewards and pastoral care, ensuring high standards and a culture of inclusion, respect, and achievement.
• To line manage and develop the Year Teams (Head of Year and Pastoral Support Assistants) ensuring effective support for all students.
Key Responsibilities
Student Engagement
• Develop, monitor, and deliver whole-school student engagement policies and systems.
• Lead on the analysis of behaviour data, identifying trends and implementing targeted interventions.
• Support the reintegration of students following exclusions or significant absences, working closely with families and external agencies as appropriate.
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration between teaching staff, pastoral teams, and external partners.
• Line management of the Reflection room Mentor and Ready, Respectful Safe Room.
• Contribute to the School Improvement Plan, Self-Evaluation Form (SEF), and report to Governors on behaviour and pastoral outcomes.
Pastoral Care
• Promote a culture of care, respect, and inclusion, ensuring all students feel safe, supported, and able to thrive based on the CARE Values.
• Oversee the work of the Head of Year Team in delivering high-quality pastoral support, Tutor time provision, assemblies, and interventions.
• Oversee the Line management of Pastoral Support Assistants, ensuring their work is impactful and aligned with school priorities.
• Champion the needs of vulnerable students, including those with SEND, safeguarding concerns, or at risk of exclusion.
Staff Development & Line Management
• Lead, inspire, and develop the Head of Year Team and Pastoral Support Assistants, including appraisal and professional development.
• Identify training needs and deliver or coordinate relevant CPD for all staff.
• Foster a collaborative, reflective, and ambitious team culture.
Safeguarding & Inclusion
• Work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead to ensure all safeguarding policies and practices are robust and effective.
• Ensure all behaviour and pastoral interventions are inclusive and promote equality of opportunity.
Additional Duties
• Attend and contribute to SLT, Trustees’, and other relevant meetings.
• Represent the school at external events and with partner agencies as required.
• Undertake any other duties as reasonably required by the Headteacher.
Monitoring & Evaluation
• Use data to track progress and identify areas for improvement.
• Report regularly to SLT and Trustees
• Ensure rigorous evaluation of interventions and provision.
Commitment to safeguarding
⚠️ The school is committed to safeguarding children, and the successful applicant will be required to provide an enhanced DBS disclosure. All shortlisted candidates will be subject to appropriate online/social media searches.