Vacancies
Interim Deputy Headteacher required for June 2026
Start Date: 1st June 2026
Salary: L8 – L12
Contract: Full time – Temporary
Applications close: 2nd February 5 pm
Interview Date: Thursday 5th / Friday 6th
Do you have the H.E.A.R.T to lead our school?
Honesty
Empathy
Achievement
Respect
Teamwork
The Duke of Bedford Primary School are pleased to advertise an interim position to work in our school as Deputy Headteacher due to Maternity leave. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a committed and effective team to continue to improve standards of teaching and learning and gain or expand on your leadership experience.
The successful candidate will have a desire to see each and every child reach their full potential both academically and socially. We have high aspirations working in a caring and nurturing environment, committed to our School HEART Values.
We are looking for an Interim Deputy Headteacher who:
Is an outstanding classroom practitioner
Is skilled at improving teaching and learning in the classroom
Has dynamic leadership qualities that motivate and inspire pupils and staff
Has a clear vision with the highest of expectations for all
Has the ability to drive an ambitious school improvement plan
Possesses the skills and experience to achieve improvements through aspirational target setting and supportive performance management
Is an enthusiastic team player who can lead by example
Can further develop positive links within the community and collaborate enthusiastically with all stakeholders
What we can offer you in return:
A friendly working environment where children are enthusiastic and are keen to learn.
Well behaved children who are polite and respectful.
Ongoing training opportunities for all staff to continue to learn and flourish.
A fantastic village school with supportive parents/carers.
We maintained a ‘Good’ rating from our last Ofsted monitoring inspection January 2025.
If you would like to discuss this opportunity further with the headteacher, please contact the school office to make arrangements for a further conversation. Visits are encouraged and welcomed.
Please contact Mrs Pepper, Tel 01733 270243 or email paula.pepper@dukeofbedford.net to arrange a visit and for the application pack (a covering letter should be no more than 2 sides of A4) or you can download the application pack from our website: https://www.dukeofbedford.peterborough.sch.uk/
The Duke of Bedford Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in our care. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment. In our school we create a culture of safeguarding which is the responsibility of all staff. The successful candidate will be required to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and will be subject to satisfactory references being obtained.
Submitting an application:
Please ensure that you complete all relevant information on the application form and email this to paula.pepper@dukeofbedford.net
Teaching Staff Application Form
Pre- School Manager - Maternity Cover – Duke of Bedford Pre-School – From April 2026
35 hours per week, Monday to Friday 8.30am – 4.00pm, including 6 hours management time per week.
Minimum Level 3 (grade 7) and a minimum of 2 years relevant experience.
As our Preschool Manager you will deliver high-quality care and education tailored to each child’s individual needs. You’ll lead the daily operations within the Pre-School ensuring a safe, stimulating environment that promotes emotional, physical, and intellectual development. You’ll support the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) pre-school curriculum through engaging adult-led and child-initiated activities, while acting as a positive role model and building strong relationships with children, families, and colleagues. In this role, you will take responsibility for organising the room’s routines and activities, observing and assessing children’s progress, supporting mealtimes, weekly planning, and ensuring safeguarding and health and safety procedures are always followed. You will also be supporting a team of pre-school colleagues while benefitting from the leadership of the schools EYFS lead.
To thrive in this role, you’ll need a Level 3 Early Years qualification https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-qualifications-achieved-in-england , strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to remain calm and resilient in a busy preschool setting. Experience in a similar role and knowledge of child development, EYFS, and safeguarding practices are essential. You will need to have recent and extensive experience of managing staff in a Deputy or Manager’s role and must be able to demonstrate your ability to undertake management responsibilities. You will also need excellent role model skills to enable you to ensure that staff can deliver outstanding quality care and education for children aged from 2 to 4 years of age.
The Duke of Bedford Pre-School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. It is a requirement of all staff that they share this commitment and follow the prescribed policy and procedures to continuously promote a culture of safeguarding across the whole organisation.
We can offer you a fabulous rural location just on the periphery of Peterborough. A self-contained building and outdoor garden area within the school grounds. Access to the
school playground and field. Support from the EYFS lead, Reception staff and Administration staff. Visits to the setting are welcomed and encouraged
All applications are subject to relevant checks and a full DBS check.
Application packs are available from the school website or alternatively email paula.pepper@dukeofbedford.net. Please speak to Mrs P Pepper. Tel: 01733 270243 if you need any further information.
Closing date: 23rd January
Interviews: Provisionally 4th February
Support staff Application form
Pre-School Manager - Job Description
