Director of Learning (Assistant Headteacher)

Director of Learning (Assistant Headteacher) | September 2025

Initial 1 year fixed term contract (maternity leave cover) with the potential for a permanent role from September 2026.

By joining St Paul’s Way Secondary School, you will become part of a school with a rich heritage of success. We are the most oversubscribed school in Tower Hamlets and Ofsted rated us ‘Outstanding’ across all categories but one. We have a talented and determined staff body, driven by a mission in providing a transformational education for all our students. 

At SPWS we believe in fostering a clear and explicit student culture that is articulated through our character framework and is underpinned by the values of SPWT: Integrity, Aspiration and Community. 

We have exceptional standards for all the students in our care as we believe every child has the right to a transformational education. We ensure these standards through:

• A standard of 100% for students achieved through staff modelling
• Silent structured transitions from line ups
• Non-negotiable routines across all lessons
• Centralised models of positive recognition and stepped consequences 
• Centralised recognition of learners used to nudge norms
• Rigorous attendance tracking and support for all students
• A comprehensive data model used to inform our pastoral strategy for intervention and support

As a result, we can offer  

• A calm environment to work in 
• Students enthusiastic about learning
• Classrooms free of low-level disruption 
• Reduced workload through our centralised approach 

We are seeking to appoint an ambitious and inspiring Director of Learning (Assistant Headteacher) to join our senior leadership team.

We are interested in candidates with:

• Exceptional leadership and management skills
• Excellent knowledge and extensive experience of providing pastoral leadership and care
• The ability to effectively motivate, inspire and support their own teams and all staff
• The drive to build on the considerable success of the school in recent years by continuing to raise standards

Interested candidates are encouraged to arrange an informal discussion about the role and/or to visit the school.  

Why join us? 

• Professional Development: An excellent CPD package for staff, enhancing your professional development with comprehensive training opportunities. 

• Career Growth: Opportunities for growth and real career development in an encouraging environment with plenty of room for advancement. 

• Supportive Environment: Full support from a dedicated and visible team of senior leaders and pastoral managers. 

• Employee Assistance: Employee Assistance Scheme for access to advice, information, and face-to-face counselling. 

• Staff Wellbeing: A meaningful approach to staff wellbeing, including access to cycle to work and free parking. 

Interested candidates are encouraged to arrange an informal discussion about the role and/or to visit the school.  

These can be organised via the HR team: Telephone - 020 8312 5480 Email ustrecruitment@ust.london  

Early applications are appreciated as interviews will be arranged as and when suitable applications are received.  

St Paul’s Way Trust School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful candidates will be required to undergo an Enhanced DBS Check. 

Click here to view our Safeguarding policy child-protection-safeguarding 

We reserve the right to commence or complete the recruitment process prior to the closing date.  

We do not accept applications via agencies.