Job Ref No. ECC2184-162L Position Type: Deputy Headteacher Pay Range: £64,691 - £71,330 (Leadership Points L10 - L14)
Position Start Date: 01/01/2027 Contract Type: Full-time Contract Term: Permanent
Application Close: 16/10/2026 Midday Date of Interviews: Thursday 22nd October 2026  

Job Description

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Join a Community Where Everyone Matters at Alton Park Junior School

Are you an inspiring, ambitious, and resilient leader ready to make a transformational impact?

Alton Park Junior School are seeking an exceptional Deputy Headteacher to join our dedicated Senior Leadership Team. Working closely alongside the Headteacher, you will play a pivotal role in driving continuous school improvement, embedding high expectations, and cultivating a nurturing, inclusive environment where pupils are supported academically, physically, socially, and emotionally.

In this role, you will take lead responsibility for safeguarding as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), champion positive behaviour, inclusion, and character through our tiered support frameworks, and oversee our exciting Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) programme. If you are a passionate leader of learning who can broaden horizons, inspire a life-long love of learning, and empower pupils with tenacity and motivation, we would love to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities:

  • Safeguarding & DSL Oversight: Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), ensuring total statutory compliance with Keeping Children Safe in Education, leading the safeguarding team, and managing multi-agency support.
  • Behaviour, Character & Inclusion: Drive whole-school behaviour standards using a tiered support model, enforce our Anti-Bullying Policy, and champion inclusive practices that remove barriers to learning for vulnerable pupils.
  • Play & Environment: Lead the implementation of the Behaviour Curriculum and OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) programme to ensure structured, purposeful, and engaging play experiences.
  • School Improvement: Contribute significantly to the School Improvement Plan (SIP) and Self-Evaluation Form (SEF), line managing key teams, and supporting staff development and well-being.
  • Teaching & Learning: Model outstanding classroom practice and support teaching and learning across the school to drive pupil achievement.


What We're Looking For:
You are the perfect fit for our team if you have:

  • Qualifications & Experience: UK Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with proven senior leadership experience within the primary sector.
  • Safeguarding Expertise: Experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (or strong operational safeguarding background) with an unwavering commitment to child protection.
  • People Leadership: An enthusiastic, approachable, and motivational leader with the ability to inspire, challenge, and empower staff while building strong relationships with families and the community.
  • Inclusion & Behaviour Vision: A deep understanding of inclusive practice, trauma-informed/TPP approaches, and effective behaviour management strategies.
  • Integrity & Resilience: High levels of personal integrity, excellent communication skills, and the resilience needed to lead under pressure.

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.

Why Choose The Sigma Trust?
We believe in investing in our staff and fostering a culture of collaboration. We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive package designed to support your professional and personal life.

Professional Development:

  • A robust CPD training program that empowers you to flourish.
  • Unrivalled opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across strong Trust-wide networks, sharing ideas and building strong professional relationships.

Employee Benefits:

  • A competitive salary and excellent pension scheme.
  • A Health Cash Plan and Employee Assistance Programme for your well-being.
  • Exclusive perks like access to Perkbox discounts, a Cycle to Work scheme, discounted gym memberships, and eligibility for a Blue Light Card.

Commitment to Safeguarding & Diversity

The Sigma Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to safer recruitment processes, including the disclosure of criminal records, online checks and other vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across our schools.

The Sigma Trust is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of any protected characteristics. This is embedded in our vision 'To Be Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts', where we believe we are strong and more successful working together, creating a workplace which celebrates diversity.

To Apply:

Ready to take the next step? Submit an application on My New Term by midday (12pm) on Friday 16th October 2026 - follow the link below:

https://mynewterm.com/jobs/147603/EDV-2026-APJS-75241

Interviews are expected to take place on Thursday 22nd October 2026.

Please note that we reserve the right to close this advert early should we receive an overwhelming response. Candidates may be invited to interview prior to the closing date, so an early application is advised.

Information about the School

Alton Park Junior School is proud to be part of the Sigma Trust.

At Alton Park Junior School, a large Junior School with a 4 form entry for children aged 7-11 years, we aim to challenge all our pupils to ensure they fulfil their potential. We promote respect and tolerance within school and our wider community which prepares our children for life in modern Britain.

Our vision is that our children will achieve well, have fun and develop a lifelong passion for learning at Alton Park Junior School and for the future.

We believe in an education which is holistic, equitable, empowering, nurturing and liberating for all members of the school and the local and wider community. This is achieved through a determined dedication to serve, through self-belief, through effective collaboration with others and sustained by ensuring transparent accountability at all levels.

Alton Park Junior School will embrace the values of The Sigma Trust to ensure that all students will fulfil their potential and transform life chances for all.Alton Park Junior School is part of the Sigma Trust. The school is a 4 form entry for children aged 7-11 years.

Safeguarding The Sigma Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records, online checks and other vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across our schools.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.

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Information about the school

Contact Information

Sigma Trust HR Team
Alton Park Road, Clacton-on-Sea
Essex, CO15 1DL
Telephone: 01255 750913
Email: ap.recruitment@sigmatrust.org.uk

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