Deputy Head Teacher

JR United Kingdom; Thatcham; On-site; GBP 58,000; Full time

Job description

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Job Title: Deputy Headteacher - Secondary

Job Location: The Grange School, Thatcham

Salary: £57,740.80 based on working 40 hours per week, 39.2 weeks of the year.

Contract Type: Permanent – Term Time Only

Could you be our new Deputy Headteacher (Secondary)? This is an exciting opportunity to join our prestigious, Ofsted-rated Outstanding school at a pivotal moment in its growth. As we expand our secondary provision, we are looking for a passionate and dynamic leader to work alongside the Headteacher in shaping the vision and future of our exceptional school, making a real impact on daily operations and long-term strategy.

Supporting young people in Key Stages 3 and 4, our school specialises in working with pupils who may face challenges related to autism, social and emotional development, speech and language needs, or trauma. We take a therapeutic approach, ensuring every pupil receives the care, guidance, and tailored learning they need to thrive—both academically and personally. This expansion brings an exciting opportunity to further enhance our provision, developing innovative strategies that continue to place our pupils at the heart of everything we do.

You’ll be instrumental in shaping the future of the school during this exciting time of growth. You’ll guide and inspire our dedicated team, ensuring they have the training and support to provide an engaging, high-quality education. You’ll also play an active role in recruiting and developing staff, fostering a culture of collaboration and professional excellence. Your leadership will help embed our core values—Honesty, Empathy, Aspiration, Respect, and Teamwork—into every aspect of school life, creating a nurturing and aspirational learning environment.

This is more than just a leadership role—it is an opportunity to help run an outstanding school at a time of exciting expansion, driving its continued success and making a lasting difference in the lives of young people. If you are a passionate, forward-thinking leader who is committed to creating an inclusive, inspiring, and high-achieving school, we would love to hear from you.

A day in the life of a Deputy Headteacher will involve:

1. You’ll work closely with the Headteacher to shape the school’s vision and ethos, leading the secondary provision and ensuring everything aligns with Ofsted standards and the school's development goals.
2. You'll oversee and adapt the secondary curriculum to meet both Ofsted expectations and the unique needs of pupils, especially those with SEMH and complex learning challenges.
3. You'll play a critical role in maintaining high expectations for pupil outcomes, ensuring safeguarding protocols are followed, and acting as the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead for the secondary phase.
4. Leading staff development will be central to your role, where you’ll mentor and inspire your team, fostering collaboration across Education and Therapeutic Services, while building strong relationships with pupils, parents, and external agencies.
5. Operationally, you’ll manage resources, oversee staff performance, and ensure the school provides a safe, engaging, and high-quality learning environment that encourages pupil growth and personal development.

To be a successful Deputy Headteacher you’ll need:

1. A degree and Qualified Teacher status, with at least 2 years of management experience in an educational setting, particularly working with SEMH/SEBD/Autism.
2. Strong understanding of the secondary curriculum, safeguarding procedures, and knowledge of Ofsted/KCSiE standards.
3. Proven ability to lead and inspire staff, with excellent communication skills and a track record of managing resources effectively.
4. Confidence in using data for self-evaluation, setting targets, and problem-solving, paired with strong analytical skills.
5. A motivated, empathetic, and flexible mindset, aligned with the core values of Honesty, Empathy, Aspiration, Respect, and Teamwork.

In return for your time, you’ll get:

1. Holidays – You’ll only work term time (39.2 weeks), and get paid the additional 12.8 weeks whilst you’re off.
2. Pension scheme– Our pension scheme is based on you paying in 5%, and us adding 3%.
3. Learning & Development Opportunities – We provide comprehensive learning opportunities for team members to develop themselves.
4. Discounts – You’ll have access to brilliant discounts through the Blue Light Card and our own employee benefits platform.
5. Wellbeing Support – Your wellbeing is always our priority. You’ll have access to mental health and wellbeing support. On top of this, our therapies team offers a monthly confidential check in clinic, and group reflective practice sessions.
6. Cycle2Work -The cycle to work scheme enables you to buy a bicycle at a discounted rate.
7. DBS – As this role required you to have an enhanced DBS carried out, we will cover this cost.
8. After 12 months service - You’ll be eligible for our Medicash scheme which covers a wide range of medical, health and wellbeing expenses (Including immediate access to a GP!). You’ll get life assurance paid at 2 x your annual salary, and even more high street discounts.

As part of our commitment to safer recruitment, successful applicants will undergo pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS, online and social media checks, and reference validation. Due to the nature of our work, we are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974), so we may ask you to disclose any spent or unspent criminal convictions during recruitment. This disclosure does not automatically disqualify you, and we encourage transparency at the application stage.

At Phoenix Learning and Care, we are committed to diversity and creating an inclusive environment where all team members feel safe to be themselves without risk of discrimination. We believe that a diverse workforce strengthens our organisation, and we strive to ensure everyone can contribute authentically and openly.