High School Deputy Principal
Position available from: 1 January 2027.
Application closing date: 2 September 2026.
Orion College is a Grade R to Grade 12 English-medium remedial school situated in Randpark Ridge, Johannesburg. We cater to learners with diverse learning needs, neurodiverse profiles and mixed abilities, providing a supportive, structured and nurturing educational environment in which every learner is encouraged to reach their potential.
The school offers three educational streams: Mainstream CAPS, Vocational and Technical Occupational (TOC). Our educational programme is further supported by therapeutic interventions provided by an in-house multidisciplinary team, allowing us to provide personalised and holistic support to our learners.
We are a school that believes in small classes, individual attention, strong relationships and meaningful opportunities for learners to develop academically, socially and emotionally.
About the Role
We seek to appoint a highly skilled, enthusiastic and compassionate Deputy Principal to join our Senior Management Team from 1 January 2027.
The Deputy Principal will play a key role in providing strategic and operational leadership across the High School and the school as a whole. The successful candidate will work closely with the Executive Principal and Senior Management Team to ensure high standards of teaching, learning, learner wellbeing, staff performance and school operations. We are looking for an inspirational and collaborative leader who is committed to fostering excellence, accountability, teamwork and a positive school culture. The successful candidate will be a visible and approachable member of the school leadership team who is prepared to lead by example, take initiative, solve problems constructively and contribute meaningfully to the continued growth and development of Orion College.
We are looking for an individual who is:
- An experienced and passionate classroom teacher, with a strong understanding of the demands and requirements of the Department of Education;
- An effective and organised leader who can support the Executive Principal and Senior Management Team in the strategic and day-to-day management of the school;
- An excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive relationships with I.earners, parents, staff and the wider school community;
- Compassionate, solution-focused and learner-centred, with a genuine commitment to learner wellbeing arid individual development;
- Committed to maintaining high standards of teaching, learning, behaviour and professional practice;
- Able to inspire, motivate, support and develop staff while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement;
- Experienced in teaching within the Senior and/or FET Phase, with a sound understanding of curriculum requirements, assessment practices and learner progression;
- Confident in managing learner discipline and behaviour in a firm, fair and consistent manner;
- Able to work collaboratively with parents, therapists and other professionals to support learner development;
- Adaptable, proactive and willing to contribute meaningfully across the school beyond their specific portfolio of responsibility; and
- Able to work effectively in a dynamic school environment where flexibility, initiative and problem-solving are essential.
- Experience within a remedial, LSEN or specialised learning environment would be advantageous, as would a demonstrated understanding of differentiated teaching and supporting learners with diverse educational needs.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will have responsibility for, amongst other areas:
- Leadership and strategic planning
- Curriculum and academic management
- Staff development, support and performance management
- Pastoral care and learner wellbeing
- Learner discipline and behaviour management
- Timetabling and school operations
- Budget and resource management
- Parent and community engagement
- Event planning and coordination
- Supporting the Executive Principal in the effective management and continued development of the school
- Contributing to the development, implementation and review of school policies, procedures and strategic initiatives
- Promoting a positive, inclusive and supportive school culture
Minimum Requirements
- A relevant Teaching Degree from a recognised institution;
- Full registration with SACE;
- Current Police Clearance;
- Demonstrated experience teaching the CAPS curriculum;
- A minimum of 5 years’ teaching experience;
- Experience teaching in the Senior and/or FET Phase;
- A sound understanding of curriculum planning, assessment and learner support; and
- Proven leadership or management experience within a school environment.
Competencies and Skills
The successful candidate should demonstrate:
- A passion for remedial education and supporting learners with diverse learning needs;
- A remedial teaching qualification and/or relevant experience working in a remedial, LSEN or specialised learning environment;
- A sound understanding of GOE Annual Teaching Plans (ATPs) and curriculum requirements;
- A high standard of English, both written and spoken;
- Experience in differentiation and personalised learner support;
- Excellent organisational and time-management skills;
- Strong leadership, decision-making and problem-solving abilities;
- The ability to use initiative and work independently while functioning effectively as part of a team;
- The ability to deliver and maintain a high standard of teaching and learner support;
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
- Strong conflict-resolution and relationship-management skills;
- Excellent computer literacy and administrative skills;
- The ability to work effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities; and
- A willingness to learn, develop and contribute to the ongoing growth of Orion College.
Why Join Orion College?
Orion College is a school where relationships matter, and every learner is known as an individual. As a member of our Senior Management Team, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of learners while working alongside a dedicated team of educators, therapists and support staff.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced educator who is ready to take the next step in their leadership journey and contribute to the continued development of a school that is committed to personalised education, learner wellbeing and educational excellence.
Applications
Application closing date: 2 September 2026.
Please email your CV and expression of interest to brobinson@orioncollege.co.za, for the attention of the Executive Principal.
Applicants who have been selected for interview will be notified directly.
Please note that the submission of your application to Orion College will be used solely for the purposes of recruitment for the above-mentioned vacancy and all internal processes associated with this application. Orion College will protect your personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POP/A). Shortlisted candidates will be notified directly. If you do not hear from us, it means that you have not been shortlisted for an interview. Orion College reserves the right not to fill this post should a suitable candidate not be found.
ISASA