Assistant Headteacher (Pastoral and DSL)
| Posting date: | 18 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 12 April 2026 |
| Location: | Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 9RN |
| Company: | Teaching Vacancies |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | e2e055db-9985-4eed-b7b4-81f9fb484e82 |
Summary
What skills and experience we're looking for
Due to the recent promotion of the previous assistant headteacher we have an exciting opportunity for an inspirational strategic leader to join our great team. The actual remit of the post is relatively open and will depend on the skills and knowledge of the candidate. Although predominately the post-holder will deal with pastoral aspects of the school, the main key role will be to lead safeguarding across the school, supported by an exceptional safeguarding manager.
The post holder will be directly line managed by the Headteacher and the overall role and responsibilities can include academic as well as pastoral. The SLT structure from September will mean that the current Deputy Headteacher will line manage Heads of Year and have strategic oversight of pastoral systems across the school.
The pastoral systems reach far and wide across the school and include not only behaviour, exit room and RESET, but also attendance, RAS – mental health / ELSA unit, SEND / HI specialist unit, tutor and assembly programmes, PSHE and so on.
We are a busy school with over 1000 children, based in NE Hampshire, not far from historic Winchester, New Forest or London. We remain a foundation school under the local authority, have a great and dynamic governing body who fully support the school. At Cove we are fully inclusive and go the extra mile for every child and often for the family as well.
If this sounds like you, and if like us you are committed to comprehensive state education, enabling every child to reach their full potential, and have an exceptional track record in middle leadership of a secondary school then we would like to hear from you.
Cove School is a happy and thriving place to work, with close links to the local authority, and relentlessly focused on achieving the highest standard of education for the children of Cove regardless of background or ability.
We are looking to appoint a colleague who will:
• Engage, enthuse, motivate and challenge pupils in order for them to excel academically and personally
• Have relentlessly high expectations of themselves and pupils
• Have excellent subject knowledge
• Be willing to teach across the full age range of pupils;year 7 to year 11
• Enhance the quality of teaching and learning through excellent pastoral joined up care - We care that you learn and succeed.
• Teach a reduced timetable allocation based usually on your preferred subject
• Promote and strategically lead proactive safeguarding and promote the welfare of all children
• Support the schools’ aims and objectives
• Adhere to and promote all school policies and procedures
Person Specification:
• Good degree in a directly related subject (desirable)
• Thorough knowledge of the (11-16) curriculum up to GCSE
• Recognised teaching qualification, such as a PGCE, or equivalent experience
• Strong awareness of safeguarding requirements and good practice regarding health & safety
• Good level of IT literacy
• Be capable of delivering inspirational and informative lessons to the full age and ability range of pupils at the school
• Be able to demonstrate a positive and authoritative rapport with pupils
• Excellent and effective classroom management skills
• Good interpersonal skills and high levels of emotional intelligence
• Have excellent communication skills to enable effective dialogue with pupils, parents, staff and visitors
• Be organised and self-motivated, with a proven record for meeting targets and deadlines
• A good sense of humour and work well in a team.
What the school offers its staff
•
• Access to an exceptional Professional Studies Programme
• Access to Hampshire Local Authority, Subject Specific CPD and an in-house CPD
• To be part of a school which has a real ‘team approach’ where you will be valued and supported
• Own laptop, as well as office
• Contribution to the Teacher’s Pension Scheme
• Lifestyle discounts through our employee ‘Lifestyle Savings Platform'
• Access to free counselling service via our provider ‘Health Assured’
• Onsite parking
• A dedicated training room
• A staff room with complimentary refreshments and food provided on whole school events such as Parents’ Evenings
• Two-week Autumn half term
Commitment to safeguarding
Cove School and Hampshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Check as well as other relevant pre-employment checks.
Due to the recent promotion of the previous assistant headteacher we have an exciting opportunity for an inspirational strategic leader to join our great team. The actual remit of the post is relatively open and will depend on the skills and knowledge of the candidate. Although predominately the post-holder will deal with pastoral aspects of the school, the main key role will be to lead safeguarding across the school, supported by an exceptional safeguarding manager.
The post holder will be directly line managed by the Headteacher and the overall role and responsibilities can include academic as well as pastoral. The SLT structure from September will mean that the current Deputy Headteacher will line manage Heads of Year and have strategic oversight of pastoral systems across the school.
The pastoral systems reach far and wide across the school and include not only behaviour, exit room and RESET, but also attendance, RAS – mental health / ELSA unit, SEND / HI specialist unit, tutor and assembly programmes, PSHE and so on.
We are a busy school with over 1000 children, based in NE Hampshire, not far from historic Winchester, New Forest or London. We remain a foundation school under the local authority, have a great and dynamic governing body who fully support the school. At Cove we are fully inclusive and go the extra mile for every child and often for the family as well.
If this sounds like you, and if like us you are committed to comprehensive state education, enabling every child to reach their full potential, and have an exceptional track record in middle leadership of a secondary school then we would like to hear from you.
Cove School is a happy and thriving place to work, with close links to the local authority, and relentlessly focused on achieving the highest standard of education for the children of Cove regardless of background or ability.
We are looking to appoint a colleague who will:
• Engage, enthuse, motivate and challenge pupils in order for them to excel academically and personally
• Have relentlessly high expectations of themselves and pupils
• Have excellent subject knowledge
• Be willing to teach across the full age range of pupils;year 7 to year 11
• Enhance the quality of teaching and learning through excellent pastoral joined up care - We care that you learn and succeed.
• Teach a reduced timetable allocation based usually on your preferred subject
• Promote and strategically lead proactive safeguarding and promote the welfare of all children
• Support the schools’ aims and objectives
• Adhere to and promote all school policies and procedures
Person Specification:
• Good degree in a directly related subject (desirable)
• Thorough knowledge of the (11-16) curriculum up to GCSE
• Recognised teaching qualification, such as a PGCE, or equivalent experience
• Strong awareness of safeguarding requirements and good practice regarding health & safety
• Good level of IT literacy
• Be capable of delivering inspirational and informative lessons to the full age and ability range of pupils at the school
• Be able to demonstrate a positive and authoritative rapport with pupils
• Excellent and effective classroom management skills
• Good interpersonal skills and high levels of emotional intelligence
• Have excellent communication skills to enable effective dialogue with pupils, parents, staff and visitors
• Be organised and self-motivated, with a proven record for meeting targets and deadlines
• A good sense of humour and work well in a team.
What the school offers its staff
•
• Access to an exceptional Professional Studies Programme
• Access to Hampshire Local Authority, Subject Specific CPD and an in-house CPD
• To be part of a school which has a real ‘team approach’ where you will be valued and supported
• Own laptop, as well as office
• Contribution to the Teacher’s Pension Scheme
• Lifestyle discounts through our employee ‘Lifestyle Savings Platform'
• Access to free counselling service via our provider ‘Health Assured’
• Onsite parking
• A dedicated training room
• A staff room with complimentary refreshments and food provided on whole school events such as Parents’ Evenings
• Two-week Autumn half term
Commitment to safeguarding
Cove School and Hampshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Check as well as other relevant pre-employment checks.