Deputy Head
St Helen's Primary School · IP4, East of England
- Closing date
- 9 days left
- Salary
- £57,699.00 - £66,956.00 Annually (FTE) Leadership 4 to Leadership 10
- Role
- Deputy headteacher
- Posted
You apply on the DfE Teaching Vacancies service advert, not here.
Job description
Achieving Excellence and Equality through Equity and Empowerment Are you an inspiring educational leader driven by moral purpose? Do you believe that every child—regardless of background or starting point—deserves an exceptional education that prepares them to thrive in an ever-changing world? At St Helen’s Nursery and Primary School, we are a vibrant, multicultural, and deeply community-driven school where diversity is celebrated and potential is limitless. We are seeking an exceptional Deputy Headteacher to join our amazing school family and dedicated leadership team who wants to play a transformative role in our journey towards excellence. As part of the ASSET Education Trust, we believe in equipping and empowering children to create a more compassionate, equitable, and sustainable world. We view our cultural wealth as our greatest strength, helping our pupils build deep global understanding, empathy, and resilience, while encouraging them to question the world around them and speak out when needed. Our vision is clear: we aim to inspire curious and creative thinkers to explore the world with confidence. We cultivate resilient and reflective learners who embrace challenges, while fostering articulate and empathetic individuals who make a positive impact. The Role As Deputy Headteacher, you will hold strategic oversight of Inclusion, Attendance, and Community Engagement, while taking a pivotal leadership role in driving high-quality Teaching and Learning across the school. You will lead with empathy and high expectations, ensuring that equity is at the heart of our practice so that every pupil leaves us fully prepared, confident, and ready for the next stage of their learning journey. Key Responsibilities Drive Inclusive Practice: Lead our inclusion vision, ensuring robust, compassionate provision for SEND, EAL, disadvantaged, and vulnerable pupils. Champion Attendance & Engagement: Develop innovative, proactive strategies that improve pupil attendance and deepen connections with our families and wider community. Elevate Teaching & Learning: Partner with staff to refine pedagogical practice, develop a dynamic curriculum, and raise standards of achievement across all key stages. Empower Staff & Pupils: Build a culture of collaboration, continuous professional development, and shared accountability grounded in our core values. About You We are looking for a leader who: Is an outstanding classroom practitioner with a proven track record of senior or middle leadership success. Deeply understands equity-driven leadership and is passionate about dismantling barriers to learning. Has experience using data and evidence-based strategies to improve attendance, inclusion, and classroom outcomes. Possesses exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage, inspire, and build strong partnerships with staff, parents, and community stakeholders. Demonstrates a deep, authentic commitment to educational equity, ensuring no child is left behind. What We Offer A welcoming, culturally rich, and genuinely supportive school community set in a distinctive, characterful historic building. Motivated, creative, and respectful pupils who are eager to learn, succeed, and share their unique perspectives. The opportunity to work closely with a warm, interconnected family of 16 Suffolk primary schools within the ASSET Education Trust, sharing expertise, networks, and resources. A supportive leadership team and governing body dedicated to your work-life balance and personal wellbeing, backed by ASSET’s evidence-informed Complete Human Strategy. Access to high-quality CPD, mentorship, and clear pathways for career development. Possible opportunity to apply for a Head of School post within the next two years, driven by potential school/ trust-wide leadership restructuring. Strong partnerships with vibrant local cultural institutions—such as DanceEast on the Ipswich Waterfront, local museums, and green spaces—that bring our bespoke curriculum to life. The platform and agency to shape the future direction of our school, mentor developing staff, and make a profound, positive impact on our children and families. We would strongly recommend a visit to the school so you can see for yourself why our school is so unique. Tours and phone conversations with SLT can be booked through Jo Lovett, Senior Administrator, who can be reached by calling 01473 251333 or emailing her on j.lovett@sthelensprimary.net ASSET Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. The successful candidate will have to meet the requirements of the job description and will be subject to pre-employment checks including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and children's barred list check, health check, online search and satisfactory references. Copies of our safeguarding and safer recruitment policies are available on request.
School at a glance
St Helen's Primary School
- Type
- Academy converter
- Phase
- Primary
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Local authority
- Suffolk
- Region
- East of England
- Religious character
- Does not apply
The school's record on Get Information About Schools (opens in a new tab)
Published school data
Showing 6 of 38 retained publications in source order, newest editions first within each source. Open the published files for values and definitions.
| Publication | Period and coverage |
|---|---|
| DfE: Devolved formula capital allocations Edition b82db944-44bb-421e-ad2c-11aa1c5ccbd1 · https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0330cdcd2e0e8b5b20b4ae/school-capital-funding-allocations-for-2026-to-2027.xlsx:2026-05-14T11:00:06+01:00 Published file | 2026/27 · Financial year · source dated 14 May 2026 Schools listed by URN in the 2_Schools DFC sheet; excludes NMSS and SPI sheets Published school-level DFC allocation for capital projects. Excludes responsible-body SCA and CIF awards. |
| DfE: Devolved formula capital allocations Edition 4a6546b8-8677-4193-9f09-6af01ab6072c · https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0330cdcd2e0e8b5b20b4ae/school-capital-funding-allocations-for-2026-to-2027.xlsx:2026-05-14T11:00:06+01:00 Published file | 2026/27 · Financial year · source dated 14 May 2026 Schools listed by URN in the 2_Schools DFC sheet; excludes NMSS and SPI sheets Published school-level DFC allocation for capital projects. Excludes responsible-body SCA and CIF awards. |
| DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England Edition d589d60a-7f48-4951-8da9-7db6c499aa60 · bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00: Published file | 2025/26 · Autumn and spring term · source dated 15 October 2026 {"geographic_level":"School","filters":null,"source":"DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England"} · sess_possible (absence); enrolments (persistent absence) sess_overall_percent; enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent; enrolments; sess_possible; sess_overall; enrolments_pa_10_exact |
| DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England Edition d589d60a-7f48-4951-8da9-7db6c499aa60 · bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00: Published file | 2024/25 · Autumn and spring term · source dated 15 October 2026 {"geographic_level":"School","filters":null,"source":"DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England"} · sess_possible (absence); enrolments (persistent absence) sess_overall_percent; enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent; enrolments; sess_possible; sess_overall; enrolments_pa_10_exact |
| DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England Edition d589d60a-7f48-4951-8da9-7db6c499aa60 · bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00: Published file | 2023/24 · Autumn and spring term · source dated 15 October 2026 {"geographic_level":"School","filters":null,"source":"DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England"} · sess_possible (absence); enrolments (persistent absence) sess_overall_percent; enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent; enrolments; sess_possible; sess_overall; enrolments_pa_10_exact |
| DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England Edition 79b26d03-8e91-4acf-9a3a-ab13e78aea0a · bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00: Published file | 2025/26 · Autumn and spring term · source dated 15 October 2026 {"geographic_level":"School","filters":null,"source":"DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England"} · sess_possible (absence); enrolments (persistent absence) sess_overall_percent; enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent; enrolments; sess_possible; sess_overall; enrolments_pa_10_exact |
Local area context
Showing 6 of 23 retained publications in source order, newest editions first within each source. Open the published files for values and definitions.
| Publication | Period and coverage |
|---|---|
| DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Edition 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 · 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Published file | 2031/32 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Local authority · E10000029 · education_phase: Secondary · nc_year_group: Secondary total · Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Local authority pupil forecasts, with 2024/25 actuals, for the published phase total. Future periods are forecasts, not observed pupil counts. Planning area codes belong to this SCAP edition and are not assumed stable across editions. |
| DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Edition 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 · 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Published file | 2030/31 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Local authority · E10000029 · education_phase: Secondary · nc_year_group: Secondary total · Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Local authority pupil forecasts, with 2024/25 actuals, for the published phase total. Future periods are forecasts, not observed pupil counts. Planning area codes belong to this SCAP edition and are not assumed stable across editions. |
| DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Edition 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 · 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Published file | 2029/30 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Local authority · E10000029 · education_phase: Primary · nc_year_group: Primary total · Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Local authority pupil forecasts, with 2024/25 actuals, for the published phase total. Future periods are forecasts, not observed pupil counts. Planning area codes belong to this SCAP edition and are not assumed stable across editions. |
| DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Edition 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 · 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Published file | 2029/30 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Local authority · E10000029 · education_phase: Secondary · nc_year_group: Secondary total · Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Local authority pupil forecasts, with 2024/25 actuals, for the published phase total. Future periods are forecasts, not observed pupil counts. Planning area codes belong to this SCAP edition and are not assumed stable across editions. |
| DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Edition 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 · 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Published file | 2028/29 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Local authority · E10000029 · education_phase: Primary · nc_year_group: Primary total · Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Local authority pupil forecasts, with 2024/25 actuals, for the published phase total. Future periods are forecasts, not observed pupil counts. Planning area codes belong to this SCAP edition and are not assumed stable across editions. |
| DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Edition 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 · 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Published file | 2028/29 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Local authority · E10000029 · education_phase: Secondary · nc_year_group: Secondary total · Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Local authority pupil forecasts, with 2024/25 actuals, for the published phase total. Future periods are forecasts, not observed pupil counts. Planning area codes belong to this SCAP edition and are not assumed stable across editions. |
Showing 15 of 28 published figures, up to three per group. Open each source for the full published data.
Pupils
- School places (SCAP)
- 4202024/25
Source and value: School places (SCAP), 2024/25, Academic year, 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00
Published value: 420. Display values may be rounded.
Published school capacity survey places, including sixth form and excluding nursery places; not the current GIAS capacity.
Source dated 20 March 2026.
Publication version: 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00
Academic year
- Pupils on roll (SCAP)
- 4182024/25
Source and value: Pupils on roll (SCAP), 2024/25, Academic year, 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00
Published value: 418. Display values may be rounded.
Source dated 20 March 2026.
Publication version: 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00
Academic year
- Unfilled places (SCAP)
- 22024/25
Source and value: Unfilled places (SCAP), 2024/25, Academic year, 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00
Published value: 2. Display values may be rounded.
Source dated 20 March 2026.
Publication version: 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00
Academic year
Attendance and behaviour
- Overall absence
- 6.3%2025/26 · Autumn and spring term
Source and value: Overall absence, 2025/26 · Autumn and spring term, Autumn and spring term, bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00:
Published value: 6.31669%. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England
Source dated 15 October 2026.
Publication version: bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00:
Autumn and spring term
- Persistent absence
- 19.2%2025/26 · Autumn and spring term
Source and value: Persistent absence, 2025/26 · Autumn and spring term, Autumn and spring term, bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00:
Published value: 19.2%. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England
Source dated 15 October 2026.
Publication version: bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00:
Autumn and spring term
- Permanent exclusions
- 02024/25
Source and value: Permanent exclusions, 2024/25, Academic year, 0e388e4d-3748-49a4-984c-08dece27c222:2026-07-09T08:30:02.0602325+00:00:
Published value: 0. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England
Source dated 9 July 2026.
Publication version: 0e388e4d-3748-49a4-984c-08dece27c222:2026-07-09T08:30:02.0602325+00:00:
Academic year
Staff
- Teachers (headcount)
- 262025/26
Source and value: Teachers (headcount), 2025/26, Academic year, 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Published value: 26. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Size of the school workforce
Source dated 17 August 2026.
Publication version: 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Academic year
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19.72025/26
Source and value: Teachers (FTE), 2025/26, Academic year, 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Published value: 19.66. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Size of the school workforce
Source dated 17 August 2026.
Publication version: 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Academic year
- Leadership (headcount)
- 62025/26
Source and value: Leadership (headcount), 2025/26, Academic year, 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Published value: 6. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Size of the school workforce
Source dated 17 August 2026.
Publication version: 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Academic year
Results
- KS2: expected standard in reading, writing and maths
- 53.0%2024/25
Source and value: KS2: expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 2024/25, Academic year · Final, 18790b4d-31f8-4884-80b6-6a2bb35c16a3:2026-05-21T12:58:37.2090547+00:00:
Published value: 53%. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Key stage 2 performance tables
Source dated 21 May 2026.
Publication version: 18790b4d-31f8-4884-80b6-6a2bb35c16a3:2026-05-21T12:58:37.2090547+00:00:
Academic year · Final
- KS2: published eligible pupil number
- 592024/25
Source and value: KS2: published eligible pupil number, 2024/25, Academic year · Final, 18790b4d-31f8-4884-80b6-6a2bb35c16a3:2026-05-21T12:58:37.2090547+00:00:
Published value: 59. Display values may be rounded.
Published eligible pupil number (telig) from DfE's Key stage 2 institution level - Schools (School information), for the same release, year and period as the results; not the whole-school roll.
DfE: Key stage 2 performance tables
Source dated 21 May 2026.
Publication version: 18790b4d-31f8-4884-80b6-6a2bb35c16a3:2026-05-21T12:58:37.2090547+00:00:
Academic year · Final
- KS2: higher standard in reading, writing and maths
- 10.0%2024/25
Source and value: KS2: higher standard in reading, writing and maths, 2024/25, Academic year · Final, 18790b4d-31f8-4884-80b6-6a2bb35c16a3:2026-05-21T12:58:37.2090547+00:00:
Published value: 10%. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Key stage 2 performance tables
Source dated 21 May 2026.
Publication version: 18790b4d-31f8-4884-80b6-6a2bb35c16a3:2026-05-21T12:58:37.2090547+00:00:
Academic year · Final
Money
- Published deprivation FSM6 pupil premium
- £189,1002026/27
Source and value: Published deprivation FSM6 pupil premium, 2026/27, Financial year, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6ab0f5733f8e4e96a6a66a8e/pupil-premium-allocations-for-the-2026-to-2027-financial-year-september-2026.xlsx:2026-09-23T12:00:01+01:00
Published value: 189100. Display values may be rounded.
Published school-level deprivation FSM6 allocation only; excludes looked-after and previously looked-after children, alternative-provision census allocations and service pupil premium. This is not total pupil premium.
DfE: Published school deprivation FSM6 pupil premium
Source dated 23 September 2026.
Publication version: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6ab0f5733f8e4e96a6a66a8e/pupil-premium-allocations-for-the-2026-to-2027-financial-year-september-2026.xlsx:2026-09-23T12:00:01+01:00
Financial year
- Devolved formula capital
- £8,9772026/27
Source and value: Devolved formula capital, 2026/27, Financial year, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0330cdcd2e0e8b5b20b4ae/school-capital-funding-allocations-for-2026-to-2027.xlsx:2026-05-14T11:00:06+01:00
Published value: 8977. Display values may be rounded.
Published school-level DFC allocation for capital projects. Excludes responsible-body SCA and CIF awards.
DfE: Devolved formula capital allocations
Source dated 14 May 2026.
Publication version: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0330cdcd2e0e8b5b20b4ae/school-capital-funding-allocations-for-2026-to-2027.xlsx:2026-05-14T11:00:06+01:00
Financial year
- Income per pupil
- £7,1642025
Source and value: Income per pupil, 2025, Reporting year ending, response-sha256:595204b8b3330d472b787b9bd8dce826a9bb46a474f8ee3fc0990b9af8f4f308
Published value: 7164.486431014823. Display values may be rounded.
DfE Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool: CFR/AAR income per pupil
Publication version: response-sha256:595204b8b3330d472b787b9bd8dce826a9bb46a474f8ee3fc0990b9af8f4f308
Reporting year ending
Official school links
- St Helen's Primary School · Predecessor · 2015-03-01GIAS · 3 November 2026
These are separate school records. Their figures are not combined.
Part of ASSET EDUCATION (Multi-academy trust)
- Castle Hill Infant School (opens in a new tab)
- Castle Hill Junior School (opens in a new tab)
- Cliff Lane Primary School (opens in a new tab)
- St Helen's Primary School (opens in a new tab)
- The Oaks Primary School (opens in a new tab)
- The Beeches Community Primary School (opens in a new tab)
- Holton St Peter Community Primary School (opens in a new tab)
- Bungay Primary School (opens in a new tab)
- Edgar Sewter Community Primary School (opens in a new tab)
- Ilketshall St Lawrence School (opens in a new tab)
- and 6 more
Latest Ofsted inspection
Ungraded inspection (previous framework)
Inspected , published · number 10284266
- Outcome
- School remains Good
Ofsted's inspection reports for this school (opens in a new tab)
Sources
- Get Information About Schools (Department for Education) (opens in a new tab) · 3 November 2026
- Ofsted monthly management information: state-funded schools, latest inspections (opens in a new tab) · 30 September 2026
- DfE: Devolved formula capital allocations (opens in a new tab) · 2026/27 · Financial year · 14 May 2026
- DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England (opens in a new tab) · 2025/26 · Autumn and spring term · 15 October 2026
- DfE: School capacity — school (opens in a new tab) · 2024/25 · Academic year · 20 March 2026
- DfE: Schools, pupils and their characteristics (opens in a new tab) · 2025/26 · Academic year · 4 June 2026
- DfE: Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England (opens in a new tab) · 2024/25 · Academic year · 9 July 2026
- DfE: Pupil to teacher ratios (opens in a new tab) · 2025/26 · Academic year · 17 August 2026
7 further sources are not listed here; displayed figures retain their own source links.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Prepare for your interview
Vacancies are from the DfE Teaching Vacancies service (opens in a new tab), as the school published them. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.