Secondary
Deputy Headteacher
Join our thriving Church of England secondary school in the heart of Derby!
Join Our Growing Team at Derby Cathedral School
Are you passionate about supporting young people in their academic development as well as ensuring that they develop the confidence, resilience, and character needed to succeed beyond the classroom? Do you thrive in a role that helps students to navigate challenges, equips them with skills and qualifications for life, and ultimately enables them to achieve success in their future pathways? If so, we invite you to apply for the role of Deputy Headteacher at Derby Cathedral School.
About Us
Derby Cathedral School, part of the Derby Diocesan Academy Trust (DDAT), is the first Church of England Secondary School in the Diocese. Since opening in 2018, we have grown into a thriving learning community, now accommodating over 1,200 students from Years 7 to 13. Our FAITH values - Fellowship, Aspiration, Integrity, Tenacity, and Humility - are at the heart of everything we do.
Located in a state-of-the-art building in Derby city centre, we are committed to providing an outstanding education, nurturing students' personal growth, and preparing them for their futures.
The Role
A fantastic opportunity for an enthusiastic and inspiring Deputy Headteacher to join Derby Cathedral School as it continues to grow in terms of numbers and success.
The successful candidate will have:
- Significant recent and relevant experience as a Deputy/Assistant Headteacher or equivalent
- A recent senior leadership post for at least 3 years
- A proven track record of successful leadership
- DfE recognised qualified teacher status/Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status
- Evidence of recent relevant Continuing Professional Development.
- A relevant graduate qualification
Key Responsibilities
- To work with the Headteacher and other Senior Leaders to ensure the very best education for the students, through achieving the organisation’s aims and objectives.
- Providing support to the Headteacher in relation to strategic leadership for the school and ensuring that the Trusts' vision for Derby Cathedral School as a secondary school is embedded.
- Fulfilling the responsibilities of the Headteacher in their absence.
- Lead by example and 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.
- Contribute to the development and realisation of the whole school core values, the aims, vision and ethos of the school.
- Building strong relationships with students, parents, and external agencies to foster a supportive environment.
- Promoting the school’s FAITH values and ensuring a positive culture for learning
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 and access to an on-site gym.
- Access to the Westfield Health Employee Assistance Programme.
- Annual flu vaccination.
The Location
Just on the edge of the beautiful Peak District National Park, Derby is just 15 minutes from the M1 junction 24 and accessible via the A6, A50, A38 and A52. With a variety of family friendly amenities in the City and quick and easy access to the surrounding countryside, Derby is ideally placed and identified as one of the top places to live in the UK. Our brand-new site within the City Centre provides abundant parking and a new, modern working environment.
Key Details
- Hours per week: Full-time
- Weeks per year: Full-time
- Start Date: 1st September 2026
- Age Range: 11-18; KS3, KS4, and KS5
- NOR: 1260
- School Visits: Tuesday 14th April 2026
- Closing Date for Applications: 12.00 noon, Monday 20th April 2026
- Application Process: Please complete the DDAT application form and submit it to hr@derbycathedralschool.org.uk by the closing date.
Safeguarding Commitment
Derby Diocesan Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
DDAT welcomes a diverse population of both children and staff and is committed to promoting and developing equality of opportunity in all its functions. DDAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references, online checks, completion of a probationary period, pre-employment and Disclosure Barring Service checks. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided.
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).
To apply please submit completed applications forms to hr@derbycathedralschool.org.uk by the closing date.
We will only accept applications made on DDAT application forms. Please note that we will not consider CVs as part of the shortlisting.
Please note that all candidates must have a right to work in the UK in order to be able to work at our Trust. Unfortunately we are unable to offer sponsorship for international job applicants.
Join us in shaping the future of education in Derby—apply today and become part of our success story!