Deputy Master, Lower School

Package Description

Required for: September 2026

Location: Vincent Square - Westminster Under School

Contract: full-time, permanent

Salary: Westminster Under School has its own salary scale, and new members of staff are placed at a point relevant to their qualifications and experience. Details of salary will be discussed at interview with those candidates who are shortlisted. There is also an associated responsibility allowance with this role.

The deadline for applications is midday on Friday 31st October 2025. Interviews will take place in-person shortly after the closing date.

Job Introduction

The Deputy Master, Lower School is responsible for a full range of academic, pastoral, operational and administrative matters across the Lower School - Reception to Year 4. In common with the other members of the Senior Management Team (SMT), the Deputy Master, Lower School will take a whole-school perspective and contribute to the strategic vision and planning for the School. The Deputy Master, Lower School will also be expected to be involved fully in all aspects of school life. 

In particular, their duties include but are not restricted to:  

• Deputise for the Senior Deputy Master, as required  
• Be responsible for the weekly and day-to-day planning and organisation required to ensure the smooth running of the Lower School. 
• Manage the Lower School calendar, events and schedules, ensuring smooth coordination within the Lower School and across the School as a whole 
• Collaborate with the Senior Deputy Master, who is responsible for the daily running of the Upper School, to coordinate practical and logistical arrangements across shared facilities. Manage the Lower School calendar, events and schedules, ensuring smooth coordination.  
• Meet regularly with the Master and be involved in whole-school planning and strategic development.  
• Attend meetings of relevant Governing Body committees and report as required.  
• Inform the Master or Senior Deputy Master as appropriate of any matters arising in the School that require attention.  
• Oversee staff induction in the Lower School, for teachers and admin and support staff. 

Main Responsibilities

Strategic Development 

• Support the Master in delivering the School’s long-term plan 
• Act as the main liaison to the Master on Lower School matters  
• Promote and uphold the School’s values, ethos and vision and ensure that the expansion of the Lower School is in keeping with this  
• Lead on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion across the whole School in relation to pupil voice, engagement and curriculum development: 

EDI Pupil Voice and Engagement 

• Establish and oversee a pupil-focused EDI forum to ensure all pupils have opportunities to take ownership of inclusion, express their views, and contribute to School decision-making. 
• Develop initiatives that promote an inclusive School culture, in which diversity is actively celebrated. 
• Work closely with the Assistant Master, Pastoral, to ensure that EDI is considered in pastoral initiatives and support in sourcing relevant speakers. 

EDI Curriculum Development 

• Work alongside the Assistant Master, Teaching and Learning, to review and enhance whole-school curriculum content to reflect a wide range of voices, histories, and experiences. 
• Research and introduce best practices for fostering cultural competency among pupils and staff, in collaboration with the Senior Management Team. 

Operational Management 

• Be responsible for the weekly and day-to-day planning and organisation required to ensure the smooth running of the Lower School, including cover arrangements during staff absence. 
• Attend weekly SMT Operations meetings, chairing as appropriate 
• Lead on communication with parents of pupils in the Lower School 
• Be a Deputy DSL, with primary responsibility for the Lower School Safeguarding Team 
• Manage the development of policies specific to the Lower School (e.g. EYFS Policy) and keep these policies under review; make recommendations for change to ensure that they continue to follow national policies; meet the School’s developing needs and ensure readiness for successful engagement with all aspects of ISI inspection.  
• Contribute as appropriate to wider whole-school or whole-charity policies 
• Lead on inspection-related documentation for the Lower School, including contributing to the School’s Self-Evaluation Form (SEF) 
• Organise and manage the Open Mornings and events for 4+ and 7+ in conjunction with the Registrar and the Senior Deputy Master 
• Teach a reduced timetable and cover lessons, as required  
• Lead on the Lower School’s end-of-term assemblies, Prizegiving and special events 
• Liaise regularly with Lower School parents to address queries and resolve concerns, as needed 

Leadership of People 

• Lead the Professional Development and Review process for all teaching staff in the Lower School 
• Support and mentor colleagues to foster a culture of continual professional growth 
• Lead on the recruitment of Lower School staff, ensuring that the high quality of provision is upheld 
• Work closely with the various Assistant Masters in relation to Lower School Matters 
• Line Manage the Lower School teaching staff and relevant Heads of Year 
• Lead on the appointment process for all new Lower School staff, in collaboration with the School’s People Team 
• Responsibility for the organisation, deployment and control of any auxiliary staff such as Teaching Assistants, pupils, volunteers and work experience people, liaising with the People department as required 
• Lead by example, maintaining visibility and approachability within the school community. 
• Hold weekly meetings with the Assistant Masters, covering planning and scheduling, as well as:  
• Pastoral – to discuss individual pupils, any forthcoming Head of Year meetings and their agenda, updating pastoral policies and overseeing their effective implementation;  
• Extra-Curricular – to discuss weekly planning, staffing of trips, cover and staff absence, updating EVC policies and overseeing their effective implementation.  

Communication and Stakeholder engagement 

• Maintain open and effective communication with parents, staff and pupils 
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both in verbally and in writing  
• Support the Master in representing the School to external stakeholders. 
• Attend School events and represent the School at key functions, as required.  

Safeguarding 

• Act as the Deputy DSL, ensuring the highest standards of pupil safety and welfare

Additional Duties 

• Undertake other duties and responsibilities commensurate with the post, as requested by the Master.  

The Ideal Candidate

Please refer to the attached person specification for further details.

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer. We therefore encourage candidates to apply irrespective of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion and belief, gender identity, sex or sexual orientation.

Safeguarding and Child Protection

Westminster Under School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

About The School

Working at Westminster Under School

Westminster Under School is a busy, purposeful and vibrant place to be and an excellent workplace. The community is made up of around 292 pupils, 43 teaching staff and 50 support staff.

Our staff are friendly and welcoming and all new teachers quickly become part of the rhythm of life here, both inside and outside the classroom. Social events are regular and varied, with plenty of opportunity to socialise outside working hours.

It also does not matter where you come to us from. Some teachers come to us straight from university or having just taken a PGCE. Some have taught in independent schools before while others come from the state sector, or another industry altogether. The common ground is that all our teachers have a great knowledge and love for their subject and are willing to be fully involved in the life of the School and the lives of the children who come here.

At Westminster Under School we will always select the best candidate for every position. However, we know we can only truly choose the best person on every occasion if a broad and diverse pool of candidates see the job advertised and are encouraged to apply.

As such, we continue to work on how our job roles are encountered, and particularly welcome applications from groups who have traditionally been underrepresented here. Westminster Under School is for everyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic. We hope you are encouraged to apply.

The School

Westminster Under School is a happy, ambitious, nurturing and inspiring world-class preparatory education for seven to 13 year olds. Pupils who love to learn are offered a supportive, dynamic and inspirational environment to fuel their curiosity. 

Located in the heart of London, the School overlooks the beautiful school playing fields in Vincent Square and is just a few moments’ walk from Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. It is closely connected to Westminster School; in 1943, Westminster expanded its educational scope by forming the Under School, and the two schools share the same Governing Body and the same ethos of a liberal education. 

Westminster Under School's curriculum is broad and diverse, aiming to foster a sense of wonder and inquisitiveness in children and encourage independent thought. The teaching programme goes above and beyond the National Curriculum and teachers are not tightly bound by syllabus. Pupils are taught a wide range of subjects by expert teachers who embrace opportunities for growth and promote diverse thinking, and who encourage them to ask questions about the world around them. 

While the School's standard of our education is of the highest quality, the School’s focus is not only on academic achievement. Westminster pupils receive a full and rounded education that includes sport, the arts and many opportunities to engage in community outreach; pupils frequently take part in concerts, plays and in both internal and external competitions, and the School hosts festivals and events throughout the year. Like its older counterpart, Westminster Under School is fully committed to each pupil’s spiritual, moral, emotional and physical development and wellbeing – with a particular emphasis on drawing out individual talent wherever it lies – and to prepare young people for fulfilled private and public lives.

From September 2026, Westminster Under School will have opened its brand new pre-prep for girls and boys at 4+ and girls will have joined boys in Years 3 and 7, at the 7+ and 11+ entry points. By 2030, with the introduction of girls into Year 9 at Westminster School in 2028, all year groups across the two schools, from ages four to 18, will be fully co-educational, reflecting the School’s dedication to inclusivity and excellence.