Deputy Head of Academy
Discovery Special Academy, Middlesbrough, Cleveland, TS5 7YN22 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 January 2027
Closing date
3 July 2026 at 9am
Date listed
11 June 2026
Job details
Job role
- Deputy headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
Working pattern
- Full time: Monday to Friday 32.5 hours per week
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- L11-L15 £66,368 - £73,105
What skills and experience we're looking for
Tees Valley Education is an inclusive learning community that educates 1,243 pupils, from two-year-olds, through to secondary. Discovery Special Academy, part of Tees Valley Education Trust (TVEd), is seeking an ambitious and forward-thinking Deputy Head of Academy to drive excellence in teaching, curriculum development, and assessment in our secondary phase.
In this key leadership role, you will play a pivotal part in raising standards by enhancing the quality of teaching and learning. Through best practices, coaching, and mentoring, you will empower staff to deliver high-impact lessons while ensuring that assessment methods accurately reflect pupil progress.
Curriculum development, including development of our careers programme and accreditation offer, is central to this role, requiring innovation and strategic thinking. Discovery Special Academy’s broad and balanced curriculum supports not only academic achievement but also the social, emotional, and physical development of all pupils. As Deputy Head of Academy, you will collaborate with subject leaders across the academy and Trust to refine and adapt learning strategies, tailoring them to meet the needs of all pupils.
Furthermore, the Deputy Head will be instrumental in data-driven decision making at academy and trust level, using assessment data to identify areas where children may be underperforming and developing interventions to address these gaps. A focus on continual professional development (CPD) is also key to this role, providing staff with the necessary tools and training to meet ambitious performance targets, and equipping them with the skills to deliver a curriculum that fosters deep learning and sustained improvement.
At the heart of this position is TVEd’s commitment to raising aspirations and creating an environment where all pupils strive to be their best. By promoting evidence-based strategies and ongoing reflection on teaching practices, the Deputy Head of Academy will not only drive improvements in educational outcomes but also contribute to the academies and Trust’s broader vision. With children’s learning and well-being at the centre of all decision-making, you will play a crucial role in shaping a future where every pupil has the opportunity to succeed.
Applications are invited from prospective candidates who demonstrate that they are able to meet the essential criteria set out in the person specification and who have the vision, values and tenacity to join an outstanding team and help continue the journey towards excellence.
What the school offers its staff
What the Trust will provide the successful candidate with:
- A workplace where all staff are valued and treated with respect as outlined within the Trust’s Diamond Standards
- A passionate, enthusiastic and supportive Leadership Team
- A listening and learning organisation where all staff are encouraged to be curious and share ideas for the Trust/academies/team to improve
- Hard working, committed and dedicated staff who strive to gain the best outcomes for all children across the Trust’s academies
- Dedicated approach to children’s learning to encourage them all to be the best they can be
- Career enhancement opportunities within areas of interest as well as supporting ongoing professional development and training specific to job role
- Dedicated line manager to discuss work streams and capacity
- Free access to the Trust’s Wellbeing offer, which includes counselling, access to GP, Mindfulness and so much more.
- Free parking
- Enrolment into the local government pension scheme with employer contribution of 16% from April 2026
- All support contracts are employed on National Joint Council (NJC) for local government services (also known as Green book)
- Benefits of the Trust’s Staff Charter which can be found at TVED Staff Charter.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applying for the job
This job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Discovery Special Academy
- School type
- Free School, ages 2 to 16
- School size
- 171 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 2 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Discovery Special Academy website
- Email address
- recruitment@discoveryspecialacademy.org.uk
- Phone number
- 01642248333
Arranging a visit to Discovery Special Academy
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email recruitment@discoveryspecialacademy.org.uk.
School location
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