Deputy Head Academic

Deputy Head Academic (Senior School)

Start Date: August 2026

Role Overview

The Deputy Head Academic (DHA) is a key leadership position responsible for upholding academic excellence, ensuring a cohesive curriculum, maintaining the integrity of assessments, and achieving commendable examination results for students in Years 7–13.

The DHA is strategically tasked with overseeing academic quality, while operational responsibilities are delegated to Heads of Department and relevant Assistant Headteachers, including the Assistant Headteacher for Teaching & Learning, who will manage essential operational aspects within this structure.

In an environment where approximately 80% of students are non-native English speakers, the DHA is dedicated to enhancing academic progress and examination performance through high-quality, strategically aligned English as an Additional Language (EAL) provisions.

The DHA also oversees the admissions testing process for the Senior School and manages examination administration, ensuring compliance, integrity, and operational efficiency.

This role is strategic and systemic, with a focus on maintaining high standards. The DHA holds ultimate accountability for academic outcomes, with operational execution facilitated by senior and middle leaders.

Reporting Structure

Reports to: Principal

Direct Reports:

• Heads of Department (Senior School subjects)
• Head of EAL
• Academic Data/Assessment Lead (if applicable)
• Timetabling Manager
• Examinations Officer (internal and external examinations)

Works closely with:

• Vice Principal (Operations)
• Assistant Headteacher for Teaching & Learning
• Director of Upper Senior and Sixth Form
• Director of Pastoral Care and Parental Communication
• DSL/SEND

Key Responsibilities

1. Academic Standards & Outcomes (Years 7–13)

The DHA is ultimately responsible for academic results at IGCSE and A Level.

The DHA will:

• Lead analysis of results and develop strategic improvement plans.
• Ensure that predicted grades are both accurate and credible.
• Oversee departmental review processes for performance.
• Monitor value-added performance across various ability levels and departments.
• Identify areas of underperformance among staff or departments and ensure structured improvement plans are implemented.
• Uphold ambitious yet realistic standards in a mixed-ability, EAL-focused environment.

While the Assistant Headteacher for Teaching & Learning may handle operational monitoring, the DHA remains accountable for examination standards.

2. Curriculum Strategy & Coherence (Years 7–13)

The DHA is responsible for designing and safeguarding the academic framework, with operational implementation led by Heads of Department and the Assistant Headteacher for Teaching & Learning.

The DHA will:

• Ensure continuity and alignment across Key Stages 3, 4, and 5.
• Safeguard the integrity of the three-stream IGCSE pathway model.
• Integrate EAL considerations into pathway decisions.
• Approve curriculum modifications and subject pathway choices.
• Advise on subject viability in collaboration with the Principal.
• Align curriculum offerings with university aspirations and financial viability.
• Ensure a robust super-curricular program that supports high-achieving pathways.

3. Strategic Oversight of EAL Provision (Years 7–13)

The DHA is strategically responsible for ensuring that language development directly contributes to academic standards.

The DHA will:

• Ensure that EAL provision is strategically aligned with curriculum and examination requirements.
• Line manage the Head of EAL.
• Ensure adequate EAL staffing levels to support academic pathways.
• Align EAL curriculum planning with subject-specific vocabulary and examination language needs.
• Ensure EAL intervention models are effective for IGCSE and A Level success.
• Monitor the impact of EAL provisions on examination results.

Apply via the WhatSchool platform.