About the job
Deputy Head Academic (Senior School)
Start Date: August 2026
Overview
The Deputy Head Academic (DHA) serves as a senior leader dedicated to fostering exceptional academic standards, ensuring curriculum coherence, maintaining assessment integrity, and achieving outstanding examination results for students in Years 7–13.
The DHA is strategically accountable for upholding academic excellence, with operational management executed through Heads of Department and Assistant Headteachers, including a dedicated Assistant Headteacher for Teaching & Learning, who will spearhead the operational aspects of this framework.
In a multilingual environment where approximately 80% of students are non-native English speakers, the DHA is tasked with the strategic oversight of high-quality EAL (English as an Additional Language) provisions, ensuring that all students receive the necessary support for academic progression and examination success.
Additionally, the DHA oversees the Senior School admissions testing program and is responsible for the line management of examination administration, ensuring compliance, integrity, and operational efficiency.
This role is primarily strategic and systemic, focused on maintaining academic standards, with accountability for academic delivery directed through senior and middle leadership teams.
Reporting Structure
Reports to: Principal
Direct reports include:
Heads of Department for Senior School subjects
Head of EAL
Academic Data/Assessment Lead (if applicable)
Timetabling Manager
Examinations Officer (internal and external exams)
Collaborates closely with:
Vice Principal (Operations)
Assistant Headteacher for Teaching & Learning
Director of Upper Senior and Sixth Form
Director of Pastoral Care and Parental Communication
Designated Safeguarding Lead/Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Lead
Key Responsibilities
1. Academic Standards & Outcomes (Years 7–13)
The DHA bears ultimate responsibility for ensuring exceptional academic outcomes at IGCSE and A Level.
Specific responsibilities include:
Leading post-results analysis and strategic improvement initiatives.
Ensuring the accuracy and credibility of predicted grades.
Overseeing departmental performance review processes.
Monitoring value-added performance across various ability streams and departments.
Identifying areas of staff or departmental underperformance and implementing structured improvement plans.

