Deputy Headteacher


Company:	Teaching Vacancies
Salary:	Not specified
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Walton-on-Thames, KT12 5AB
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	7 Sept 2026
Closing date:	14 Sept 2026

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Summary

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are seeking an exceptional and inspiring DeputyHeadteacher to join Walton Leigh School.This is a pivotalleadership role, offering the opportunity to shape and driveoutstanding practice in a school where every student is valued,supported and empowered to achieve their full potential.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a clear passionfor inclusive education and an unwavering commitment toimproving outcomes for children and young people withcomplex additional needs. They will be a highly motivated,reflective and compassionate leader who workscollaboratively with staff, pupils, families and externalprofessionals to ensure every learner flourishes within apositive, caring and nurturing environment.

You will play a key role in leading teaching and learning,developing staff expertise and embedding consistentlyhigh-quality practice across the school. Working alongsidethe Headteacher and senior leadership team, you will helpto foster a culture of high expectations, continuousimprovement and shared responsibility, where pupils areencouraged to develop confidence, independence and theskills they need for life beyond school.

We are looking for a resilient and inspirational leader whoshares our vision and values, models excellence in allaspects of school life, and is committed to ensuring thatevery child feels respected, included and able to succeed.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a lasting impactwithin a school community where relationships, wellbeingand achievement are at the heart of everything we do.

What the school offers its staff

Walton Leigh School is part of the London South East Academies Trust (LSEAT).

We are an Outstanding secondary school for students age 11 to 19, with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties, some with associated autism.

We offer a calm, supportive and structured environment, where students are known well and supported to make meaningful progress in both their learning and personal development. Our staff work as a skilled, multidisciplinary team, delivering personalised provision that reflects each student's individual needs, strengths and aspirations. The school has a strong culture of collaboration, reflection and continuous improvement, and places a high value on developing staff expertise within a specialist and deeply rewarding area of education.

We are committed to investing in our staff and recognise that high-quality professional development is key to achieving the best outcomes for our pupils. We offer a comprehensive and bespoke CPD programme throughout the year, providing opportunities for colleagues at every stage of their career to develop their expertise, enhance their leadership skills and progress professionally within our Trust.

Further details about the role

In September 2027, we will be expanding our school with the opening of a satellite site in a new building at Hurst Road, Molesey for up to 70 students. Preparation for this opening will start from Easter 2027; the newly appointed Deputy Headteacher will be instrumental in this planning.

We therefore have two Deputy Headteacher vacancies in the 2026/27 academic year.

- Deputy Headteacher at Queens Road, Hersham. From January 2027

- Deputy Headteacher at Hurst Road, Molesey. From April 2027

We are seeking applicants to both roles now.

Interviews will be held on Monday 21st September 2026

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

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