Deputy Head Teacher - Machen Primary School

Deputy Head Teacher – Machen Primary School (L6-L10)

To commence 1st September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter (pending safeguarding clearance).

Applications are invited from dynamic, experienced and suitably qualified Teachers for the post of Deputy Head Teacher of this successful Primary School. The school provides education for children between the ages of three and eleven.

Machen lies on the edge of the southeastern coalfield and has a mixed heritage of agriculture and heavy industry. Our community may be described as semi-rural in character. The village has many walking trails and several operating farms, as well as a viable quarry on the outskirts of the village. There is a busy arterial road running through Machen that links Newport to Caerphilly. The school lies at the heart of village life.

Due to the retirement of our Deputy Headteacher, the Governing Body are seeking to appoint a passionate, inspirational and committed teacher who will be part of the Senior Leadership Team, working collaboratively with the Headteacher and the Governing Body of our village school.

Ysgol Machen has a strong team ethos, believing that all members of its community need to work effectively together to achieve the highest outcomes for its pupils. The Governing Body is dedicated to working hard and is supportive of the staff and pupils, believing that the school’s success is based upon a culture where everyone feels heard, cared for and supported. Our motto of ‘Dive into Learning, Fly with Confidence’ reflects our collective aspirations. We want the best education for all our pupils and seek to appoint a Deputy Headteacher who will continue to embed all the successful practices of our small school.

Our previous full Estyn Inspection was in June 2023 with a positive interim inspection in October 2025. The report highlights Ysgol Machen as a warm, nurturing and inclusive community where pupils feel safe, supported and proud of their school. Inspectors praised the strong relationships between staff and pupils, the calm and purposeful learning environment, and the school’s commitment to well-being, Welsh language development and high-quality teaching. We seek a visionary Deputy Headteacher to further support our work, who has prudence, compassion and drive to deliver excellence for all and to direct our journey forward.

Governors are committed to appointing a Deputy Head Teacher who:

• Has a proven record of excellent classroom practice;
• Has reflective leadership and management skills;
• Has a clear vision and high expectations for school improvement;
• Has responsive people management and ability to enable and empower team building;
• Has excellent understanding of the Curriculum for Wales, skills agenda and professional learning to drive continual improvement;
• Is strongly committed to working closely with governors, parents and the wider community;
• A dynamic attitude to innovation and change.

The governors will provide effective support for the successful candidate who will demonstrate a strong commitment to work closely with them to provide high quality leadership and the best possible education for children.

In return we can offer:

• A strong commitment to professional development
• A school with high aspirations and a genuine opportunity to make a difference
• An opportunity to help shape the future of teaching and learning
• A dedicated and supportive team of professional staff and governors

To view the Job Description and Person Specification please select the relevant attachment from the attachments list.

After reading the Job Description and Person Specification, if you would like to have an informal discussion about the role or wish to visit the school to better understand our environment and aspirations, please contact the school office on 01633 440403. Visits will be arranged on either Friday 24th April or Monday 27th April.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh. Any application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

We are legally required to ask you to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK. Successful applicants are required to provide appropriate documentation such as a birth certificate, passport or work permit in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) and a comprehensive screening process will be undertaken on all applicants. This will include an enhanced check with the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Under the Education (Wales) Act 2014 all Teaching staff in schools, (which includes the post referred to herein), must be registered with the Education Workforce Council for Wales (EWC) from 1 April 2016. Your employment will be subject to satisfactory documentary evidence of registration, and continuing registration, as a Teacher with the EWC.

Information on how to register with the Education Workforce Council (EWC) can be found on the following website https://www.ewc.wales/site/index.php/en/ or by telephoning, 02920 460099. It is your responsibility to ensure you register and continue to register as part of your terms and conditions of employment.

Closing date for applications: Thursday 30th April 2026
Shortlisting will take place on: Tuesday 5th May 2026
Lesson observations (at current workplace) will take place week beginning Monday 11th May 2026
Interviews will be held on: Tuesday 19th May 2026