Senior Deputy Head
DSG Makhanda seeks an accomplished, strategically minded and mission-aligned Senior Deputy Head to provide senior leadership across the school, with primary responsibility for the Junior School (Grades 4 – 7) and a particular focus on ensuring a coherent and connected learning journey from the primary years into the Senior School.
Reporting to the Head, the Senior Deputy Head will provide visible, thoughtful and purposeful leadership within the Junior School, fostering a warm and positive environment in which pupils and staff can thrive. The Senior Deputy Head will ensure that the Junior School’s distinctive needs, character and developmental stage are understood and appropriately supported, while also strengthening the educational continuum across Grades 4 – 12. The role will be central to tracking and mapping each girl’s learning, development and wellbeing journey, ensuring that important transitions between phases are carefully planned, that information and insight move meaningfully with each pupil, and that the Senior School is well positioned to build on the foundations established in the Junior School.
Working closely with academic and pastoral leaders, the Senior Deputy Head will promote curriculum coherence, high-quality teaching and learning, appropriate academic challenge, effective pupil support and strong communication with families.
As a member of the School’s Senior Leadership Team, the Senior Deputy Head will contribute to whole-school strategy, culture and operational priorities, while deputising for the Head where appropriate. The Senior Deputy Head will play an important role in building relationships beyond the school and strengthening the future pipeline of pupils into DSG. This will include some travel, connecting with prospective families and communities, and representing and promoting DSG and the wider Family of Schools.
The successful candidate will bring a deep understanding of girls’ education and child development, an appreciation of the distinct needs of the primary years, and a commitment to ensuring that every girl experiences a seamless, purposeful and well-supported journey from her earliest years at DSG through to Grade 12.
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- a compelling vision for girls’ education and the ability to lead in a rapidly changing context;
- a proven capacity to inspire excellence across academics, sport, culture and character development of the girl child;
- strategic direction and leadership oversight of the Junior School boarding programme;
- strong working relationships with the school’s wellness team to establish a robust support system for the girls, ensuring their emotional, psychological and physical wellbeing;
- a genuine affinity for the preparatory school years and an understanding of the needs and developmental stages of girls being raised in a complex and rapidly changing society;
- exceptional relationship-building and communication skills with girls, parents, staff and the wider school community;
- support and oversight in the development and implementation of co-curricular initiatives;
- sound strategic and financial acumen;
- a suitable postgraduate degree together with SACE registration;
- at least 5 – 8 years’ experience in a Phase Head or Deputy Head role in an educational institution;
- an understanding of and a willingness to commit to growing the unique partnership between The Diocesan School for Girls, St Andrew’s College and St Andrew’s Preparatory;
- a willingness to support the Anglican Christian ethos of DSG and to be actively involved in chapel services and school assemblies;
- an appreciation of the school’s rich heritage, together with our shared values and vision of transformation, diversity and belonging.
Starting date: 1 May 2027
Closing date: Friday 25 September 2026
Applicants must submit a detailed CV, covering letter and a short video, as outlined in the application link below:
All applications will be treated in strict confidence. The school reserves the right not to proceed with the filling of the post. An application in itself does not entitle the applicant to an interview. Applicants who do not hear from the school within two weeks should consider their application unsuccessful. DSG is an equal opportunity employer and committed to achieving employment equity.
Under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) which came into effect on 1 July 2021, all organisations and schools alike have a legal obligation to manage the personal information it processes appropriately, by applying specific principles and conditions. The Diocesan School for Girls is committed to ensuring the security and protection of your personal information and to provide a compliant and consistent approach to data protection. Should you have any questions related to the POPIA Act, please refer to our website.
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