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What's it like being a deputy head?

8 replies

lovelyjubilly · 26/04/2018 19:50

Specifically part-time (0.4) in a non-teaching role, responsible for leading assessment across the school.

If you have any experience of this sort of role, please could you let me know what you think the pros and cons might be. I'm thinking of applying for a job...

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Piggywaspushed · 26/04/2018 20:41

Goodness. Is it a really small school?

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lovelyjubilly · 26/04/2018 20:56

Fairly small (one form entry).

There is already an existing deputy-head responsible for teaching and learning across the school (and who also teaches a class for half of the week).

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Piggywaspushed · 26/04/2018 21:33

It seems hard to do a job like assessment across the school on a less than 50% working week . But if it's a model that already works in the school , then go for it!

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Lowdoorinthewal1 · 26/04/2018 21:40

I would find it hard to be a senior leader in a school on only 2 days a week. It's all about relationships- with staff, with parents, with children. How would you have the time, and just be present enough, to form those relationships effectively?

I would be worried about ending up as a data monkey and becoming very detached from the life of the school.

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lovelyjubilly · 26/04/2018 23:15

Thanks for your thoughts.

Not meaning to drip-feed but my own DC already go to the school so even when I'm not working I will still be 'present' a lot of the time, albeit in a different capacity.

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Lowdoorinthewal1 · 27/04/2018 17:35

I don't think that's the same at all, and possibly being 'present' as a parent could be a hindrance.

For example, if a parent starts shouting at an NQT outside a classroom at pick up time, and you see because you are there doing your own pick up, what are you going to do? Walk away from the teacher because you are there as a parent and have your children next to you? Or go and stand with her to support as you would if you were 'at work'. Tricky either way.

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MaybeDoctor · 01/05/2018 08:39

It could be a great role. Rare to find a pt SLT post.
If you have good chemistry with the HT I would go for it

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lovelyjubilly · 01/05/2018 10:01

Thanks for your thoughts everyone.

I've made an appointment with the head tomorrow for an 'informal chat'. I'm hoping to find out a bit about the dynamic with the other pt deputy, the leadership structure of the school as a whole and what the head hopes that the successful applicant will achieve for the school.

Is there anything else that would be crucial for me to ask?