Deputy Headteacher

Ivy House School, Derby, Derbyshire, DE23 2FS

14 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2026

• Closing date

  15 May 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  1 May 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Deputy headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Early years, Key stage 1, Key stage 2, Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Fixed term
• Full-time equivalent salary: Competitive, based on experience

Deputy Headteacher job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly dedicated and ambitious leader to take on the role as Deputy Headteacher while the current post holder is on Maternity Leave. This position is initially fixed term for 1 year, however, may become permanent due to the schools continue expansion.

As Deputy Headteacher, you will uphold and actively promote the school’s vision, values, and core purpose. You will play a pivotal role in ensuring that all staff are equipped and supported to meet the current and future needs of our pupils.

The successful candidate will:

• Deputise for the Headteacher in their absence.
  
• Provide strategic and professional leadership, in consultation with the Academy Council and Shaw Education Trust Leadership Team, to secure school improvement and high-quality education and care for all pupils.
  
• Work closely with the Academy Council, attending meetings as required.
  
• Support the Headteacher in presenting the school’s performance to a range of audiences, including Academy Councillors, parents/carers, the local community, Ofsted, Education Services, and other external agencies.
  
• Monitor, evaluate, and review the effectiveness of school policies, practices, and priorities.
  
• Ensure the school is prepared and ready for Ofsted and Local Authority inspections.
  
• Support the coordination and evaluation of the curriculum, identifying areas for development and setting targets for teacher professional development.
  
• Lead by example, modelling effective leadership and fostering a culture of inclusion and high expectations at every level.
  
• Bring experience from working in an outstanding school setting.
  
• Have a proven track record of driving whole-school improvement initiatives with measurable impact on pupil outcomes over the past 2 years.
  
• Have directly overseen whole-school safeguarding, behaviour, curriculum or assessment development.
  
• Demonstrate extensive knowledge of the unique context, ethos, and operational practices of Ivy House School.
  

Please refer to the JD-PS document for full details on the role.

How to Apply

If this opportunity inspires you, we warmly encourage you to arrange an informal discussion with George Turner to learn more about the role.

At Shaw Education Trust, we believe every role has the power to transform a life. Whether you’re supporting behind the scenes, inspiring in the classroom, or leading with vision, you will be part of something truly meaningful.

Our values—opportunity, integrity, collaboration, and equity—guide everything we do. Our vision is “Opening doors to the world through the power of learning.” We bring this to life through our mission: working together to inspire communities where every school is valued, every voice matters, and every learner thrives.

We are a dynamic and growing family of primary, secondary, and special schools, proudly serving communities from Birmingham to Bury.

Our people are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their development through high-quality training, apprenticeships, talent development programmes, and research opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive as skilled, confident professionals. We champion wellbeing, value every voice, and foster a culture where you feel supported, motivated, and inspired to make a real difference.

You will join a collaborative network of schools where shared expertise and a strong professional community drive success. Every academy within our Trust has an equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital role in shaping tailored learning experiences that raise aspirations and build brighter futures.

If you have the passion, dedication, and drive to help shape lives and create futures filled with promise, we would love you to join our team.

Together, let’s make the remarkable happen.

We believe every child has the potential to be extraordinary.

Our Special Schools are dedicated to supporting children and young people with a broad spectrum of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

From those with profound medical conditions and life-limiting illnesses, to individuals with severe, moderate, or sensory needs, and those experiencing social, emotional, or mental health challenges, our settings are designed to provide the care, understanding, and expertise each young person needs to thrive.

Whether you're a teacher, teaching assistant, healthcare professional, or part of our facilities, administration, or operations teams, you will find a welcoming, family-like environment where every role is valued.

At the heart of each school is a shared commitment to putting children, young people, and their families first.

Each pupil receives a personalised education and learns in small groups or classes, supported by dedicated staff who tailor their approach to meet individual needs.

Working in our Special Schools is more than a job; it’s an opportunity to be part of a compassionate team that empowers children and young people to live their best life and build a bright future.

The difference you make will be life-changing, not only for them but for their families too.

Shaw Education Trust offer the following employee benefits with your Teaching or Support Staff employment:

• An excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff) / Teachers Pension (Teaching Staff)
• Support Staff only based on working full time, all year - Generous holiday entitlement from your first day of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years’ service including Bank Holidays)
• Access to Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan: Enjoy health services designed to support your well-being.
• Free DiscountForTeachers Scheme for all staff (Support and Teaching), Exclusive discounts to save money with a wide selection of discounts and exclusive offers from hundreds of the biggest brands.
• Free Eye Tests
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to our Institute of Education and fantastic opportunities to help you grow, contribute and flourish in your role and in the Trust.

We know our people are the key to our success and so we’re committed to ensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is a rewarding one. 

Colleagues within the Trust benefit from: Access to a full range of courses both in-house and professionally accredited. These courses include a variety of the National Professional Qualifications and the Early Carer Teacher Programme delivered by Shaw Education Trust as a delivery partner for Ambition Institute. 

• Experienced leadership and subject-specific support.
• Guidance from former HMIs and serving Ofsted Inspectors within the Trust.
• Access to the Trust’s Institute of Education and SCITT.
• Opportunities to work with different schools within the Trust as a Professional Advocate.
• Participating in peer reviews.
• Access to a suite of online courses.
• Placement projects within our family of schools.

Interviews: Week beginning: Monday 18th May 2026 (exact date to be confirmed) 

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

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 school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Ivy House School

• School type: Academy, ages 2 to 19
• School size: 103 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 2 to 19
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Ivy House School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/ivy-house-school

Ivy House School is a day community special school for pupils aged 2-19. We offer a happy and supportive environment where pupils are praised for who they are.

The school provides a happy, supportive and purposeful environment where pupils are nurtured, praised and acknowledged for who they are, the skills they acquire and the tasks they accomplish.

We aspire to provide each child with a wide range of experiences, which will enrich their time with us and challenge them to succeed. We recognise that children learn and achieve at all levels and we celebrate this diversity throughout the year, with both families and friends of Ivy House.

School location

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