Deputy Head of Secondary School – August 2025 start

Reports to: Head of Secondary School

Key Areas of Responsibility: The Deputy Head works alongside the Head of Secondary School to help provide strategic leadership and operational management across all aspects of school life.

The Deputy Head is a member of the Secondary School Leadership Team (SSLT) and will have a key leadership role in one of either the Academic or the Pastoral school domain.

The specifics of the role will be shaped to suit the successful candidate’s expertise and experience, in negotiation with the other members of SSLT.

The following outline is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the role. It is not an exhaustive list of all of the tasks and responsibilities that the Deputy Headteacher will carry out, the post holder will be required to undertake other duties that the Principal and Head of Secondary may reasonably require.

Key Responsibilities

(Specific focus will vary depending on whether the role is academic or pastoral in nature)

Curriculum, Teaching and Learning (for Academic Deputy Head)

• Lead on curriculum systems and academic development.
• Oversee teaching and learning strategies aligned with the BST and IB Learner Profiles.
• Manage curriculum planning, and academic programmes.
• Lead assessment, data analysis, and intervention strategies.
• Coordinate external examinations in collaboration with the Exams Officer.
• Develop systems for progress tracking, reporting, and academic guidance.
• Collaborate with Student Support Services to meet the needs of all learners.

Student Experience and Wellbeing (for Pastoral Deputy Head)

• Lead on student support systems and wellbeing provision.
• Oversee pastoral care structures, including behaviour management and attendance.
• Coordinate Heads of House and ensure consistent pastoral standards across the school.
• Lead on safeguarding, student voice, and DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) initiatives.
• Oversee transition processes, admissions support, and induction for new students.
• Collaborate with Student Support Services to meet the needs of all learners.

General Responsibilities

Professional Responsibilities

• Support the school’s mission, purpose, and aims.
• Consistently champion and uphold the school’s mission, vision, and values.
• Contribute to a shared strategic plan for the Secondary School with the Secondary Leadership Team.
• Collaborate in articulating a shared vision for high-quality education and student experience.
• Work effectively with members of the wider Leadership Teams to ensure a one school approach.

Successful Leadership

• Lead strategic development in key areas of the school (pastoral, academic, or whole school), under the direction of the Head of Secondary.
• Support and deputise for the Head of Secondary in their absence.
• Develop their own leadership and foster leadership across the school community.
• Lead and support effective teams aligned with the Secondary School Development Plan.
• Chair or contribute to leadership teams or committees as appropriate (e.g. Curriculum Leadership Team, Pastoral Leadership Team).
• Line manage designated middle leaders (e.g. Subject Leaders, House Leaders, or Programme Coordinators) and support their ongoing development.
• Contribute to school evaluation, inspection, and accreditation processes.
• Promote policies and practices that ensure equality of opportunity and the celebration of diversity.
• Uphold Safeguarding, Child Protection, Health & Safety, and other statutory responsibilities in partnership with relevant leaders.

Outstanding Learning and Student Development

• Promote a shared vision for excellence in student learning and development—academic, personal, and social.
• Take a leading role in curriculum, pedagogy, or pastoral programme development as appropriate.
• Support the development of staff professional knowledge and skills through coaching and collaboration.
• Ensure effective approaches to student progress, wellbeing, and engagement through personalised support and high expectations.
• Teach a timetable as determined by the Head of Secondary and Principal

Effective Staffing

• Contribute to the recruitment and retention of high-quality staff.
• Deploy staff and resources effectively in line with school priorities.
• Support the Professional Review and Development process and staff CPD.
• Lead or support the induction programme for new staff.
• Promote a positive, professional, and collaborative culture among staff.
• Take part in staff welfare initiatives and line management responsibilities, including performance review and, where necessary, formal investigations.

Motivated and Thriving Students

• Promote high standards of student behaviour, engagement, and achievement.
• Champion student voice, international mindedness, and inclusive practices.
• Collaborate on student support and intervention strategies to ensure all learners thrive.
• Ensure that school policies on behaviour, uniform, attendance, and punctuality are upheld consistently.

Dynamic Collaboration

• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with parents and the wider community.
• Represent the school at events and lead parent communication in your area of responsibility.
• Support the promotion of school values, learning, and achievements across platforms.
• Work with the Admissions and Communications teams to showcase the school to prospective families and the broader public.
• Liaise with parents on matters of student experience, curriculum, and progress as needed.
• Attend School Advisory Committee meetings and Board of Trustees meetings when required.

Community Commitment

• Support initiatives that promote staff and student wellbeing and belonging.
• Engage in the broader life of the school, attending events and celebrations beyond the regular school day.
• Undertake additional duties and responsibilities as agreed with the Head of Secondary and Principal in line with school priorities.

How to Apply

Please see the full job description, and apply via our website directly via the following link: Deputy Head of Secondary.

Closing date for applications: April 20th 2025

The British School in Tokyo welcomes applications from suitably skilled applicants from all backgrounds.

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check or International Child Protection Check, and provision of satisfactory background checks for at least the past 5 years.

Further information about the school is available on the School’s website www.bst.ac.jp 

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