Join Our Leadership Team at Meridian High School!

We are seeking an ambitious and dynamic Associate Assistant Headteacher to join us on a permanent basis.

Your Opportunity

As a key member of our extended leadership team, you will drive improvement across the English & Performing Arts faculty, championing exceptional teaching, curriculum innovation, and outstanding outcomes for every learner, especially those facing significant challenges. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced middle leader ready to take the next step, or an emerging senior leader eager to make a whole-school impact.

What we are looking for

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a degree in English (or closely related subject).
• Evidence of sustained professional development (e.g., NPQ, leadership training).
• Strong understanding of curriculum, assessment, and current educational research.
• Successful experience as an outstanding classroom practitioner in English.
• Demonstrable impact on raising attainment and improving progress for diverse learners.
• Proven leadership experience at department, key stage, or whole-school level.
• Ability to design, implement, and evaluate curriculum developments.
• Strong data literacy to diagnose barriers and design targeted interventions.
• Experience contributing to staff development, CPD, coaching or mentoring.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and influence.
• High resilience, professionalism, and commitment to safeguarding, equality, and inclusion.

Desirable

• NPQSL/NPQML or equivalent leadership qualification.
• Additional qualifications or experience in Drama, Film Studies, literacy, or inclusion.
• Coaching or mentoring accreditation.
• Experience of whole-school responsibilities (e.g., behaviour, safeguarding, assessment).
• Passion for cultural enrichment and widening students’ access to the arts

Please read the full job description and person specification for more information. 

About Meridian High School

Meridian High School is a GOOD School in all categories (OFSTED January 2023). We believe education is about developing the whole person, within the school values of ‘resilience, ambition and respect'.

Join the GLF Schools Community

As a part of GLF Schools, you will join a community of staff dedicated to transforming education. With regular progression discussions, there will be a wealth of opportunities for you to grow your career, whether in one of our 42 academies or in our central team.

Celebrating 10 years as a growing Multi Academy Trust with over 2,000 colleagues and over 16,000 pupils

• Founded upon the values of Respect, Inclusivity, Integrity and Kindness
• 42 primary and secondary schools across 7 Local Authority areas across the south of England
• We work as a community whilst ensuring each school maintains its own unique identity
• Committed to ensuring all children and young people receive the best possible education

GLF Schools Employment Offer

GLF Schools has a generous employment offer, which allows all our colleagues to Grow, Learn and Flourish

• Access to our highly competitive Teachers Pension scheme.
• Flexible working options
• Generous holiday allowance
• Work life and family friendly policies
• Employee wellbeing initiatives
• Access to a staff benefits portal
• Community and collaboration working model

The Details:

Start Date: April 2026 or September 2026 

Pay Scale: GLF Leadership Scale - GL10 to GL15 

Contract type: Permanent, full time. 

Closing Date: 6th December 2025 

Interview date: TBA

GLF Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Employment is subject to a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

As a Trust, we are happy to discuss flexible working opportunities. GLF Schools recognises and celebrates the diversity of its schools and their communities. There is a shared commitment across the Trust to develop further a culture of respect, where discrimination is not tolerated, and individuals are treated equitably and fairly and feel a sense of belonging. We strive for an inclusive environment where staff, children and students are comfortable to express their own identity, should they wish, in which diversity and inclusion is of mutual benefit for everyone in our schools. We particularly welcome applicants from under-represented groups including those based on ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

We reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy at any time ahead of the closing date if there is a good level of response. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application as early as possible.

We also reserve the right to interview shortlisted candidates ahead of the closing date.

Please be advised that references may be requested on receipt of your application. Please state if you wish this to be delayed until shortlisting/interviews have taken place.