Deputy Headteacher

Location: Derbyshire
Closing date: 13 May 2025

PLEASE DO NOT APPLY USING THE DERBYSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL WEBSITE, PLEASE SEE DETAILS BELOW.

Derby Diocesan Academy Trust (DDAT) is a Multi Academy Trust that comprises of thirty-three schools, including primary, infant, junior, secondary, sixth form and nursery provision, across Derbyshire and within Derby City. Established in 2014 by the Diocese of Derby, DDAT is committed to providing high quality education for all children in their academies based on clearly established Christian values and principles. As a significant leader within our flagship secondary school, Deputy Headteacher for Derby Cathedral School (DCS) will play a pivotal role in the next stage of the school’s development, following the recent recruitment of a new Headteacher for this school.

Derby Cathedral School is the first ever Church of England Secondary school in the Diocese, housed in a state-of-the-art building in a high-profile location in Derby City Centre. The 11 – 19 secondary school opened in September 2018, established by Derby Diocesan Academy Trust (DDAT) and Derby Cathedral to help meet the need for additional high-quality secondary places in the Derby area and to give local families more choice. The school enjoys a close connection with Derby Cathedral which is enhanced by strong links with the Cathedral Choir and Music Department, which has a track record of music tutelage. The school is currently over-subscribed, having welcomed its first Year 13 cohort in September 2024.  We are looking for an exceptional leader who shares our ambitions for this school and the diverse community that it serves. 

Contributing to the strategic leadership for the school as it grows year on year, you will ensure that the Trusts’ vision for Derby Cathedral School as a secondary school is embedded and will: 

  • continue to provide a balanced and broadly-based education designed to enable all students to discover their strengths and to make the most of their talents
  • engender respect for individuality, difference, the importance of teamwork and the contribution that each student makes to the life of the school and local community
  • secure & sustain excellence in safeguarding students’ health and well-being
  • embed the ethos of the school as a Church of England school with an inclusive and supportive Christian ethos which welcomes, values and nurtures all students regardless of background and of faith/no faith.
  • develop the school’s value-added curriculum in order to establish a centre of curriculum and scholastic excellence in the focus subjects which is also capable of leveraging whole-school performance
  • achieve Ofsted and SIAMS inspection judgements that reflection our ambition for this school to be a beacon of excellence
  • act successfully as a community hub, including through appropriate use of school facilities by community groups, and promoting community cohesion. 

You will be motivated to release talent from each and every student, regardless of aptitude or background aiming for the strongest outcomes and full engagement in programmes of sport, the arts, interests and study in compulsory extended provision. You will fully support the Christian ethos of the school and Multi-Academy Trust, sharing our mission

What We Offer

  • Support from DDAT leadership to ensure that the post-holder receives the necessary professional development to be successful in the role, and have impact at our secondary school
  • Support from a dedicated team of school improvement officers with substantial and current experience of inspection and adding value to our schools
  • An opportunity to work as part of a supportive wider team.
  • Modern, purpose-built facilities in Derby city centre
  • Free on-site parking
  • Free on-site gym
  • Westfield Health employee assistance programme
  • Annual flu jab

Location
Derby offers an exceptional quality of life, situated just 15 minutes from the M1 and on the doorstep of the Peak District National Park. The city combines urban amenities with easy access to stunning countryside, making it one of the UK’s top places to live.

Key Details

  • Start Date: 1st September 2025
  • School visits: w/c 6th May 2025
  • Closing Date: 13th May 2025
  • Interviews: 21st May 2025
  • Application: Please complete the DDAT application form
  • To arrange an informal enquiry and or school visit, please email hr@ddat.org.uk

Derby Diocesan Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

Join us in shaping the future of education in Derby. Apply now to be part of our success story.

DDAT welcomes a diverse population of both children and staff and is committed to promoting and developing equality of opportunity in all its functions.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare any cautions, convictions, reprimands and final warnings that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020).

Please note the DBS clause is compulsory.

To apply please submit completed applications forms to hr@ddat.org.uk by the closing date.

We will only accept applications made on DDAT application forms.

Interviews: 21st May 2025

Please note if any of the above mandatory fields are left blank the form will be returned.