Interim Headteacher
Contract Type: Interim (6 Months)
To provide strong, stabilising leadership to a secondary school during a period of transition, challenge, or change. The Interim Headteacher will secure immediate improvements in standards, behaviour, safeguarding, and operational effectiveness while ensuring the school is positioned for sustainable long-term success.
Key Responsibilities
Rapid Strategic Stabilisation
Provide visible, decisive leadership from day one.
Conduct a swift diagnostic review of standards, staffing, safeguarding, behaviour, and operational systems.
Develop and implement a focused, impact-driven action plan.
Rebuild confidence among staff, pupils, governors, parents, and trust leaders.
Quality of Education & Standards
Drive rapid improvement in teaching, learning and assessment across Key Stages 3-5.
Ensure curriculum intent, implementation and impact align with statutory expectations.
Secure improvements in pupil progress, attainment, attendance, and behaviour.
Establish robust quality assurance systems, including lesson visits, work scrutiny and data review.
Safeguarding & Behaviour
Ensure safeguarding practice is fully compliant with statutory guidance (including oversight aligned with Ofsted expectations).
Strengthen behaviour systems to ensure a calm, purposeful learning environment.
Oversee attendance strategies and reduce persistent absence.
Promote pupil wellbeing and inclusion.
Person Specification
Essential:
Substantial senior leadership experience in secondary education.
Previous Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher experience.
Proven track record of school improvement and raising standards.
Experience managing challenging contexts (e.g. Ofsted category, leadership transition, financial deficit, behaviour concerns).
Strong safeguarding expertise.
Ability to deliver impact at pace.
Desirable:
Previous interim leadership experience.
Experience working within a Multi-Academy Trust.
Experience leading a school through inspection.
NPQH or equivalent leadership qualification.
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