Deputy Head Teacher CV Example
A deputy head teacher CV demonstrates your senior leadership experience, strategic contribution to school improvement, and ability to support the headteacher.
Recommended template: StructuredPro
Key Skills to Include
Quick Tips
- Highlight your specific leadership responsibilities and their impact on school outcomes.
- Include evidence of school improvement initiatives you have led or contributed to.
- Detail your experience with Ofsted preparation and inspection outcomes.
- Showcase your ability to build positive relationships with staff, parents, and governors.
Ready to build your CV?
Start with the Structured template and customise it for your teaching & education role.
Upgrade to ProHow to Write Your Deputy Head Teacher CV
A deputy headteacher CV must demonstrate your ability to lead strategically, drive school improvement, and manage people and resources effectively. Governing bodies and headteachers want to see evidence of measurable impact on student outcomes, staff development, and school culture. Your CV should present a clear narrative of leadership progression with quantified achievements at every stage.
CV Structure
Use a reverse-chronological format with profile, leadership experience, education and qualifications, and professional development. Detail each leadership role with school context, responsibilities, and quantified achievements. Include your NPQSL or NPQH status prominently. Keep to two to three pages.
CV Format
Choose a professional template. Education leadership recruiters value substance over design. Ensure your CV is clearly structured with consistent formatting. Save as a PDF.
CV Profile Examples
Secondary Deputy Head
Experienced deputy headteacher with NPQSL and 14 years in secondary education, including six years in senior leadership. Currently responsible for teaching and learning, staff performance management, and data analysis at an 1,100-pupil academy rated Good by Ofsted. Led the school's improvement in Progress 8 from -0.3 to +0.2 over three years through targeted intervention programmes and CPD-focused professional development.
Primary Deputy Head
Dedicated deputy headteacher with NPQSL and 12 years of primary school experience, currently serving in a three-form entry primary school rated Outstanding. Responsible for curriculum leadership, assessment coordination, and safeguarding as Designated Safeguarding Lead. Proven track record of raising attainment in reading and writing through evidence-based pedagogy and coaching-led staff development.
Aspiring Headteacher
Strategic and collaborative deputy headteacher with NPQH and eight years of senior leadership experience across two secondary schools. Leads on behaviour, attendance, and pastoral care, achieving a 15% reduction in persistent absence over two years. Experienced in Ofsted preparation, governor liaison, and budget management. Actively seeking headship to lead a school community through the next stage of improvement.
State your current role, school context, and key leadership responsibilities. Highlight your most significant improvement outcomes. Mention your NPQSL/NPQH status and career aspirations.
Key Skills for Your Deputy Head Teacher CV
School Leadership
Providing strategic direction, operational management, and inspirational leadership to drive school improvement.
Strategic Planning
Developing and implementing school improvement plans with measurable targets and clear accountability.
Staff Development
Leading professional development programmes, coaching staff, and managing performance appraisal systems.
Data Analysis
Interpreting assessment data, Progress 8, and attendance statistics to inform strategic decisions and interventions.
Safeguarding Lead
Acting as Designated Safeguarding Lead, managing referrals and ensuring statutory safeguarding compliance.
Curriculum Management
Overseeing curriculum design, timetabling, and ensuring breadth, balance, and alignment with national standards.
Budget Oversight
Contributing to school budget planning, monitoring expenditure, and ensuring value for money in resource allocation.
Stakeholder Engagement
Building productive relationships with governors, parents, local authorities, and community partners.
Ofsted Preparation
Preparing the school for Ofsted inspection through self-evaluation, evidence gathering, and staff briefing.
Work Experience Examples
For each leadership role, include the school name, type, size, and Ofsted rating. Describe your specific areas of responsibility and the impact you have had on student outcomes, staff development, or school culture. Quantify achievements with data wherever possible.
Deputy Headteacher
Parkfield Academy, Leeds
Served as deputy headteacher in an 1,100-pupil secondary academy, leading on teaching and learning, curriculum strategy, and staff performance management.
Responsibilities
- Led the school's teaching and learning strategy, conducting lesson observations, learning walks, and work scrutiny across all departments.
- Managed the staff performance management cycle for 85 teaching staff, setting targets and conducting annual review meetings.
- Analysed whole-school data including Progress 8, Attainment 8, and internal assessment outcomes to inform strategic planning.
- Oversaw the development and implementation of a new KS3 curriculum aligned with the school's improvement priorities.
- Represented the school at governors' meetings, presenting data reports and strategic updates on school performance.
Achievements
- Led the school's improvement in Progress 8 from -0.3 to +0.2 over three years through a targeted underperformance intervention programme.
- Designed and delivered a whole-school CPD programme on formative assessment that was praised by Ofsted inspectors during the section 5 inspection.
- Successfully supported the school through an Ofsted inspection that resulted in a Good judgement, with leadership and management rated as Strong.
Assistant Headteacher
Oakwood High School, Bradford
Led the pastoral and behaviour systems as assistant headteacher in a secondary school serving 950 pupils in a challenging urban context.
Responsibilities
- Managed the school's behaviour policy, overseeing detentions, exclusions, and restorative practice approaches.
- Led the attendance improvement strategy, working with the Education Welfare Officer and families of persistent absentees.
- Line-managed six heads of year, providing coaching and challenge to improve pastoral outcomes across all year groups.
- Coordinated safeguarding referrals as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, attending multi-agency meetings when required.
Achievements
- Reduced fixed-term exclusions by 25% over two years through the introduction of a restorative approach to behaviour management.
- Improved overall attendance from 92.5% to 94.8% over three years, exceeding the national average for similar schools.
Education & Qualifications
List your teaching qualification and degree first. Include NPQSL, NPQH, or any other leadership qualifications. Mention relevant masters degrees or professional development programmes.
NPQH
National Professional Qualification for Headship, demonstrating readiness for school leadership.
NPQSL
National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership, demonstrating senior school leadership capability.
QTS
Qualified Teacher Status, the professional standard for teaching in maintained schools.
Master's Degree in Education
A postgraduate degree in education, educational leadership, or a related field.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a deputy headteacher include on their CV?
How do I present school improvement evidence?
Should I include my NPQH on my deputy headteacher CV?
How important is Ofsted experience for deputy headteachers?
More Teaching & Education CV Examples
Teacher CV
A teacher CV demonstrates your subject expertise, classroom management skills, and commitment to student development and educational outcomes.
Academic CV
An academic CV provides a comprehensive record of your research, publications, teaching experience, and contributions to your scholarly discipline.
Arabic Teacher CV
An Arabic teacher CV highlights your fluency in Arabic, your teaching methodology for language instruction, and your ability to engage learners at all levels.
Assistant Lecturer CV
An assistant lecturer CV demonstrates your teaching capabilities, research activity, and potential to contribute to a university department.
Associate Professor CV
An associate professor CV presents an established track record of research excellence, significant teaching contributions, and academic leadership.
Exam Invigilator CV
An exam invigilator CV highlights your reliability, attention to detail, and ability to maintain exam conditions in accordance with regulations.