FOREST HILL SCHOOL
Dacres Road, London SE23 2XN
Boys 11-16, Mixed 16-18
Tel. 020 8699 9343
www.foresthill.lewisham.sch.uk
Deputy Headteacher
Permanent / Full-time contract
Start Date: January 2027
Salary Range: L22 – L26 - £99,975 to £109,215 pa. (inner London)
“...This combination of academic achievement, strong pastoral care and wider personal development means that pupils are well prepared for the next steps in their education or training.”
Ofsted Report, January 2024
Forest Hill School is a thriving and aspirational comprehensive school in south-east London, rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted in January 2024. We provide high-quality education to boys aged 11-16 and, through our successful joint sixth form partnership with Sydenham School (SFH6), to male and female students aged 16-18. Our diverse school community is wholly reflective of this district of London, teaching pupils from all backgrounds and of all abilities.
Forest Hill School is seeking to appoint an exceptional Deputy Headteacher to help shape our journey to excellence and provide strategic leadership for our sixth form. This is an exciting time in the development of our school, and we are looking for a colleague committed to improving the life chances of our young people. We offer a wide-ranging curriculum that inspires students and broadens their horizons.
The post represents an exceptional opportunity for an ambitious leader to make their mark and help establish a culture of sustained excellence in a truly unique school. The responsibilities of the post will be decided depending on the strengths of the successful candidate in the context of the senior team. The successful candidate must:
We offer;
We are actively working to create an inclusive and diverse Senior Leadership Team. Outstanding learning and teaching lie at the heart of every successful school and we place a high premium on this. You will be required to teach as part of your role and at interview.
“...The school makes sure that staff have access to high-quality training and development. This includes teachers new to the profession, who are very well supported.”
Ofsted Report, January 2024
Please visit our website at https://foresthill.lewisham.sch.uk/ to make direct online applications, which must be returned to vacancies@foresthillschool.co.uk
Note: we do not accept CVs, and all applications must be submitted on the Lewisham Teachers Application Form which is available on the School Website.
Informal visits are welcome and should be arranged directly with the Heads PA, Vicky Brown
Closing date for applications is 5pm on Wednesday 14th October 2026 with interviews scheduled over two days on Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th October 2026.
Forest Hill School 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 is subject to an Enhanced DBS Disclosure.
Forest Hill School is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all members of the community, regardless of gender, age, marital status, disability, ethnicity, religion, belief or sexual orientation.
The school is committed to the promotion of equal opportunities and diversity. We have a clear commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful applicant will be required to complete an Enhanced Disclosure for the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Lewisham is a vibrant and culturally diverse borough. This reflected in all aspects of daily life, from the response to the pandemic where the community rallied to support our most vulnerable residents, to the 170 languages spoken in our homes, schools and businesses. We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.
As we plan ahead, we are working towards a fairer, greener, healthier and more economically sound future for all in Lewisham. This means continuing our efforts to tackle climate change for generations to come; ensuring that good health and wellbeing is equally accessible to everyone; and safeguarding local jobs and up-skilling residents with tools they need to succeed. Building on the community spirit and activism that has been so prevalent in recent years, we are committed to creating a Future Lewisham we can all have a part in.
