Deputy Headteacher

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Job Title: Deputy Headteacher
Location: Longdon Hall School, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS15 4PT
Hours: 37.5 per week Monday to Friday 8:30am - 4:00pm, except Monday to 4:30pm and Friday to 3:45pm
Salary: Up to £60,000 per annum (depending on experience, not pro rata)
Contract: Permanent Term Time Only
Start: September 2026
UK applicants only - no sponsorship available

About the Role

As Deputy Headteacher, you will provide strategic leadership across curriculum development, assessment, teaching and learning, pupil progress, staff development and operational management. You will deputise for the Headteacher when required and contribute to the vision, ethos and long-term success of the school.

This role requires a passionate educational leader who can inspire colleagues, build strong relationships with families and external professionals, and create a culture where both pupils and staff thrive.

What you'll be doing

Leadership & School Improvement

• Support the Headteacher in delivering the school's vision, strategic direction and continuous improvement priorities.
• Lead on quality assurance, school improvement planning, compliance and operational effectiveness.
• Deputise for the Headteacher and contribute to effective whole-school leadership and decision-making.

Curriculum, Teaching & Learning

• Lead the development and delivery of a broad, balanced and inclusive curriculum that meets the needs of all learners.
• Drive high standards in teaching and learning through evidence-informed practice, coaching and monitoring.
• Ensure robust systems are in place to evaluate teaching quality, pupil engagement and curriculum impact.

Assessment & Pupil Progress

• Oversee whole-school assessment, tracking and target-setting systems to ensure strong pupil outcomes.
• Use data effectively to monitor progress, identify priorities and implement improvement strategies.
• Work collaboratively with the SENCo, therapists and external professionals to support individual pupil needs.

Staff Leadership & Development

• Inspire, support and develop staff through coaching, mentoring, CPD and performance management.
• Promote a positive culture of high expectations, collaboration and accountability across the school.
• Support recruitment, induction and staff wellbeing to build and sustain high-performing teams.

Safeguarding, Welfare & Inclusion

• Promote a safe, inclusive and nurturing environment where pupils can thrive academically and personally.
• Lead and support safeguarding, child protection and wellbeing processes in partnership with relevant agencies.
• Ensure pupils' social, emotional and therapeutic needs are effectively supported across the school.

Partnership & Community Engagement

• Build strong relationships with parents, carers, professionals and external partners to support pupil success.
• Promote the school positively within the wider community through effective communication and partnership working.
• Collaborate with other schools and agencies to share best practice and strengthen outcomes for pupils.

What you'll bring

You will become part of a dedicated, supportive and forward-thinking team that is passionate about transforming lives through education. We offer:

• QTS or equivalent required
• Appropriate leadership & management experience
• A collaborative and values-driven working environment
• Opportunities for continued professional development and leadership growth
• The chance to make a genuine impact on the lives of young people
• A supportive multidisciplinary approach to education and care
• Driving Licence required

If you are an ambitious leader ready to make a significant contribution to a thriving school community, we would love to hear from you.

About Us

Longdon Hall School is an independent specialist day school for boys and girls aged from 7 to 18, catering for pupils with a wide range of social, emotional, and mental health needs. Our dedicated team work together to ensure successful outcomes for pupils who often arrive at the school with a troubled view of education and life.

This opportunity is in Lichfield which is within commutable distance of Cannock, Burton upon Trent and surrounding areas.

Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people's lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" - mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
  • Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
  • Hundreds of UK and international discounts
  • Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
  • Critical illness cover
  • Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.