Senior Deputy Head

SENIOR DEPUTY HEAD
CANDIDATE INFORMATION

INDEPENDENT CO-ED DAY SCHOOL FOR AGES 2-18

Welcome

Thank you for your interest in the role of Senior Deputy Head at the King’s School Worcester.

The King’s Foundation is made up of three schools:
King’s Senior School and two preparatory schools,
King’s St Alban’s and King’s Hawford. Together,
they form a vibrant and nurturing educational
community.

King’s Senior School educates approximately
850 pupils aged 11–18 on our stunning city-centre
campus. Sharing this site is King’s St Alban’s,
a thriving prep school for around 150 pupils
aged 2–11. Just north of the city, in the beautiful
Worcestershire countryside, King’s Hawford
provides a dynamic learning environment for
approximately 260 pupils aged 2–11. All three schools
are united under a single governing body, ensuring
a cohesive vision and shared values across the
Foundation.

At the core of the King’s Foundation is a steadfast
commitment to delivering an outstanding education
which is made possible by our exceptional staff.
We are proud to foster a strong, supportive, and
inclusive professional community built on trust,
respect, and collaboration.

Our Schools are exciting and rewarding places to
work, and we are delighted that you are considering
joining us. Our professional family includes a wide
range of teaching and support roles, each playing
a vital part in the life of our Foundation. Central to
our ethos is a friendly and welcoming atmosphere,
underpinned by excellent relationships between
staff and pupils who are encouraged to work hard,
play hard, and look after each other.

Our search for the right candidate for this role is
important to us, and we know it is important to
you too. Please take the time to explore the details
within this booklet. If this opportunity strikes a
chord with you, we look forward to receiving your
application, to meeting you in the weeks ahead, and
- if successful - welcoming you to our community.

Thank you for your interest in King’s Worcester. We
hope this marks the beginning of a fulfilling and
inspiring journey with us.

Ben Charles
Head of Foundation

Introduction to the role

The Senior Deputy Head is a key member of
both the Foundation Leadership Team (FLT) and
the Senior School Leadership Team (SLT), and is
responsible for the operational oversight of the
Senior School (Years 7 to 13), whilst providing
strategic support to the Head of Foundation. The
role includes some teaching commitments as
needed.

This is a significant leadership position, requiring
a highly motivated, experienced, and dynamic
individual with a deep commitment to the welfare
and development of pupils in an independent day
school setting.

This role is a permanent, full-time position,
commencing September 2026.

The Foundation Leadership Team at
the King’s School Worcester

The Foundation Leadership Team, led by the
Head of Foundation, co-ordinates the running of
the three schools, in addition to undertaking the
Foundation’s strategic and operational planning.

The FLT is made up of the Head of Foundation,
Director of Finance and Business Development,
Director of Operations, Head of King’s Hawford Prep
School, Head of King’s St Alban’s Prep School, and
the Senior School’s Senior Deputy Head, Deputy
Head Academic and Deputy Head Pastoral.

The FLT convenes weekly to concentrate on
strategic priorities and to address operational
matters. It is a cohesive team that places a strong
emphasis on collaboration and mutual support,
recognising the demands and responsibilities
inherent in their roles. The group seeks to
foster an environment for open dialogue, share
accountability in decision-making, and work
together with professionalism and understanding.

Each member of the team plays a vital role in
shaping the Foundation’s culture and ethos by
exemplifying the values, behaviours, and standards
that define our community.

Job Description

The Senior Deputy Head will work closely with the
Head of Foundation, both supporting with, and
taking the lead across a range of operational and
strategic matters, and will act as his deputy in his
absence. Given the seniority of the post, specific
responsibilities will evolve over time in line with the
School’s operational needs and strategic priorities.

While the precise scope of the role will reflect the
strengths of the successful candidate, it is expected
to include the following key responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Operational
Oversight

•  Work closely with the Head of Foundation and

FLT to shape and implement the school’s vision,
strategy, and policies.

•  Encourage and enable pupil voice; in

•  Actively promote and safeguard the welfare of

all pupils.

•  Undertake any reasonable requests made by

the Head of Foundation.

conjunction with the Head of Sixth Form,
support the selection process and training for
School Prefects.

•

In conjunction with the Heads of Section,
ensure effective transition arrangements to
support pupil progression.

•  Work closely with the Director of Operations to

manage and safeguard the Foundation’s policy
framework to support strategic alignment and
to ensure compliance with regulations and best
practice.

•  Work with relevant stakeholders to ensure a

safe and supportive environment for pupils and
staff.

•  Ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the
Senior School, maintaining high standards of
academic, pastoral and co-curricular provision.

•  Provide assistance to the Head of Foundation
to support external engagement and manage
external relationships, representing the School
with authenticity, enthusiasm and pride.

•

Lead and manage key operational functions and
events, ensuring an outstanding educational
environment.

•  Assume line management responsibilities for a

number of members of the Leadership Team
and other senior colleagues.

•  Contribute to the School’s strategic plan,

advising on strategic priorities and Foundation-
wide initiatives.

•  Attend all relevant Governor committees,

including full board meetings.

•  Engage effectively with current parents to

resolve concerns.

•  Be a well-recognised and approachable

presence throughout the school community.

Job Description

Pastoral Leadership

•  Work closely with the Deputy Head (Pastoral)
to ensure high standards in the pastoral care
of pupils, ensuring a culture of wellbeing,
inclusivity, personal development and
behaviour management.

•

Foster strong relationships with pupils, parents,
and staff to support individual pupil needs.

•  Promote a positive school culture that upholds
the values, traditions, standards and ethos of
the School.

Academic Leadership

•  Work closely with the Deputy Head (Academic)
to ensure high standards of teaching, learning,
and curriculum delivery across the Senior
School, ensuring tangible academic connections
with the Foundation’s Prep Schools.

•  Support staff professional development in

pedagogical best practice, ensuring a culture of
continuous improvement.

Teaching and Learning

•  Contribute to teaching within the School in
a subject area appropriate to the candidate’s
expertise.

•  Support the academic development of pupils
by working closely with Heads of Department
and teaching staff.

•  Promote a culture of high expectations,
supporting pupils to maximise their full
potential.

Staff Leadership and Development

•

Lead and support direct reports, teaching and
support staff in their roles.

•  Support the development of an engaging,

challenging, and well-sequenced curriculum
that meets the needs of all learners from Year 7
to Year 13.

•  Play a key role in staff recruitment, training, and

professional development, including managing
the budget for teaching staff training and
development.

•  Promote a culture of high expectations,

supporting staff to deliver outstanding teaching
and learning.

•

•

Lead the teaching staff Professional Review
Process.

Foster a positive and collaborative working
environment, upholding high professional
standards.

Person Specification  It is expected that the Senior Deputy Head will demonstrate a range of

qualities, skills and experience, as outlined below:

QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING

DfE recognised Qualified Teacher Status

Appropriate degree

Evidence of recent and relevant professional development

A higher qualification in educational leadership or pastoral care

Essential Desirable

OTHER FACTORS

Essential Desirable







A deep understanding of the independent day-school context

Well-informed on the latest national educational trends and initiatives

Demonstrate enthusiasm for and enjoyment of teaching



Enthusiasm to review own effectiveness in the role and develop skills and
knowledge

EXPERIENCE

Essential Desirable

A strong and experienced leader with a proven track record of successful middle
or senior leadership in a senior school setting

Experience in safeguarding and child protection at a high level

Experience in whole-school strategic development

Experience in working alongside Governors, underpinned by familiarity with
governance policies and practices









Outstanding interpersonal and presentation skills, with the ability to champion
the School’s mission and vision to a wide range of audiences

Good emotional intelligence and a sense of humour

Friendly yet professional, with empathy and approachability at the core of your
approach

Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Essential Desirable

A thorough understanding of a teacher’s role in safeguarding young people

A commitment to the wider life of an independent school, including evening
and weekend responsibilities as required

Teach to the highest standard, using innovative and interactive methods

Be an excellent communicator and team player with the ability to inspire pupils,
colleagues, and parents, communicating sensitively, proactively and effectively
with all stakeholders

Strong strategic awareness, with the ability to contribute to, and champion,
school-wide planning and development

Ability to promote positive attitudes both inside and outside the classroom,
encouraging respect, tolerance, co-operation, courtesy and self-control at all
times

Lead and inspire colleagues and set and maintain high expectations

Develop own and others’ practice

Encourage and enable a high-performing team

Display a calm demeanour whilst working to tight deadlines and prioritising
effectively

A strong aptitude for logical analysis and delivering innovative solutions whilst
embracing and driving forward change

Exceptional administrative, organisational and operational skills

An understanding of, and appreciation for, effective budget management











































Safeguarding Responsibilities at King’s Worcester

Safeguarding culture at King’s

Responsibilities of the successful candidate

As we strive to maintain an open culture of safe-
guarding across the King’s Foundation, we:

•  Train our staff in safeguarding
•  Work in partnership with King’s families
Liaise with external support agencies
•
Follow the four Rs: Recognise, Record, Report,
•
Refer

Listen to pupils

•  Prioritise early intervention
•
•  Encourage professional curiosity
•  Create a team around the child.

Staff are advised to maintain an attitude of “it could
be happening here and probably is” as far as
safeguarding is concerned and should always act in
the best interest of the child.

All staff must:

•  Actively promote and safeguard the welfare of

all pupils

•  Have proper regard for the Foundation’s

Safeguarding Policy and related procedures

•  Report any concerns in a timely manner
•  Attend annual safeguarding training.

The King’s Foundation is committed to safeguarding
and meeting the needs of all children.

What is safeguarding?

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
is defined as:

•  Protecting children from maltreatment.
•  Preventing impairment of children’s health or

development.

•  Ensuring children grow up in circumstances
consistent with the provision of safe and
effective care.

•  Taking action to ensure all children have the

best outcomes.

(Definition from Keeping Children Safe in Education
2025)

Our commitment to safeguarding

The King’s School, Worcester ensures that
safeguarding is given the highest priority and
actively promotes the well-being of pupils.
Safeguarding and child protection are at the
forefront of, and underpin all relevant aspects of,
process and policy development.

The Foundation’s safeguarding culture supports
good practice and enables issues to be addressed
promptly and appropriately in the best interests of
the children.

Why Apply?

King’s Worcester is a hugely welcoming and fulfilling place to work. We are
incredibly proud of our reputation. Our employees and our enviable King’s
community are what set our schools apart.

We are committed to recruiting the best candidates, who join us from a diverse
range of backgrounds. We are also committed to developing and helping colleagues
to thrive while they are here. Careers at King’s Worcester are exceptionally
rewarding in many ways. Here’s what we can offer you...

•  We promote the values of mutual respect and integrity at every level in the

Foundation, and we are an equal opportunities employer.

•  A highly successful, well-resourced school with a warm, welcoming

atmosphere and a positive outlook.

•  A salary commensurate with the importance of the post and with the

experience and qualities of the successful candidate.

•  A beautiful working and family friendly environment set in picturesque riverside

grounds, adjacent to the Cathedral.

•  Access to an Aviva Defined Contribution Pension Scheme.

•  A generous fee remission for up to two children of employees who attend

schools in the King’s Foundation (pro-rata for part-time staff), after two years of
service.

•  A genuinely rewarding role as well as career development and support for
professional studies, if appropriate. Whatever the role, we offer excellent
training and development. We are also committed to promoting from within
whenever we can, giving the chance to build a great future at King’s.

•  Staff are able to purchase private medical insurance through the School in

order to benefit from group premium rates.

Please visit the vacancies page of the School website www.ksw.org.uk/careers to
find out more about the benefits of working at King’s and to hear why our staff love
being a member of the Foundation community.

Application Process

In order to provide our pupils with a well-rounded

The King’s Foundation is committed to safeguarding

The deadline for applications is 11am (UK) on Monday 9th

and enriched educational experience which is truly

and promoting the welfare of children and young

February 2026.

representative of the world in which they grow up, the

people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this

King’s Foundation strives to place equity, diversity and

commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo

Applications should be submitted via email to

inclusion at the heart of everything we do, ensuring that

child protection screening appropriate to the post

kingsworcester@regroup.consulting and consist of an

we build a community which is truly representative of

including checks with past employers and the Disclosure

application form and covering letter addressed to Ben

all backgrounds and experiences. We believe that we

and Barring Service. Shortlisted applicants will be

Charles, Head of Foundation, outlining your suitability for

will do that best if our employees come from different

required to complete a self-declaration form in relation

the role.

backgrounds and if we create an environment of inclusion

to any criminal record or information that may make you

and belonging for them.

unsuitable to work with children, and will be subject to

All applications will be acknowledged within one business

day and all applicants will be notified as to whether or

Candidates selected for interview will be notified by

not they have been invited to an interview.

Friday 13th February 2026.

an online search.

Successful applicants will be advised of the date and

First stage interviews will take place during the week

time of the interview. References will be requested

commencing 2nd March 2026.

and candidates should be aware that referees will be

asked to comment on a candidate’s disciplinary record

Final stage candidates will be invited to interviews taking

and whether or not the candidate has been subject to

place during the week commencing 9th March 2026.

any child protection concerns. Proof of identity will be

required at interview.

Candidates unsuccessful at interview will receive written

notification.

How to apply

The search and recruitment process is being led by our

recruitment partner, Regroup Consulting. Interested

The School is required to ensure that the successful

candidates are encouraged to arrange an informal,

candidate is checked by the Disclosure and Barring

confidential conversation by emailing either:

Service. Details of the School’s policies on safeguarding

Monika Fryzicka, Managing Director

and promoting the welfare of children as well as equal

monika@regroup.consulting

opportunities are available on request. References will

or

be obtained and verified prior to the appointment being

Phoebe Brereton, Head of Research & Project Manager

confirmed.

phoebe@regroup.consulting