Deputy Head of Secondary

Job description

The Deputy Head of Secondary is a key executive leadership position within the school, working in close partnership with the Head of Secondary and Senior Leadership Team to drive academic excellence, operational effectiveness, and a positive culture of learning. The successful candidate may also hold a whole-school strategic responsibility, contributing to broader school improvement priorities.

Key responsibilities

• Champion and actively promote the ethos, vision, and standards of excellence aligned with the GEMS Education Core Values.
• Work closely with the Head of Secondary to develop and embed effective, innovative, and globally relevant teaching and learning practices.
• Support the implementation of the school’s strategic vision for quality education and continuous improvement.
• Ensure the integration of GEMS Core Values across all curricular and co-curricular programmes, fostering a culture of aspiration, respect, and inclusion.

Teaching, learning and curriculum

• Lead the development of robust monitoring and evaluation systems to assess the quality of teaching and learning, and implement targeted improvement strategies where required.
• Conduct needs-based lesson observations and performance reviews, providing focused developmental feedback aligned to school priorities.
• Work collaboratively with Heads of Department and coordinators to ensure curriculum continuity, progression, and compliance with regulatory expectations.
• Ensure the curriculum remains responsive to the needs of students while meeting required standards and content frameworks.

Staff development and leadership

• Support the professional growth of staff through coaching, mentoring, and structured professional development aligned to time-bound improvement targets.
• Chair meetings, lead working groups, and contribute to whole-school leadership initiatives.
• Build leadership capacity across the Secondary phase, contributing to succession planning and talent development.

Student experience and enrichment

• Oversee the effective provision of support programmes, enrichment activities, educational visits, assemblies, and special events that enhance student learning and wellbeing.
• Work with pastoral and inclusion teams to ensure a safe, supportive and inclusive learning environment for all students.

Community engagement and operations

• Develop strong partnerships with parents and the wider community through clear, consistent communication and engagement initiatives.
• Liaise with the Registrar regarding admissions processes, including student induction, assessment, and transition arrangements.
• Support the organisation of Parent–Teacher meetings, school events, charity initiatives, and wider GEMS network programmes.

Strategic and operational leadership

• Contribute to budget planning and resource management, ensuring effective deployment of staffing and facilities.
• Undertake a teaching allocation and other professional duties as delegated by the Head of Secondary and Senior Leadership Team.
• Ensure all GEMS policies, procedures, and professional expectations are consistently implemented.
• Demonstrate flexibility and commitment, recognising that senior leadership responsibilities may extend beyond the typical school day.
• Attend leadership meetings and serve on committees as required.
• Carry out any additional duties reasonably assigned by direct or dotted-line managers.

Skills

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in education or another relevant field with a teaching qualification
• Previous experience in a senior leadership role
• NPQH or other relevant senior leadership qualifications (desirable)

GEMS Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of its students and staff. A UK-enhanced DBS or equivalent police check is a pre-requisite for all appointments.

Education

Education