Deputy Headteacher with Lead DSL

DSLV E-ACT Academy; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 81,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Annual leave 31 days

Cycle to Work

Professional development

TLR progression

Job summary

E-ACT DSLV Academy in the East Midlands is seeking an exceptional Deputy Headteacher & Lead Designated Safeguarding Lead to join our dedicated leadership team. You will shape strategic direction, raise standards in teaching and safeguarding, and drive pupil wellbeing across the academy.

Working with the Headteacher, you will develop staff, monitor performance, and foster a culture where every child feels safe, valued, and empowered to succeed.

Qualifications

• QTS with a strong track record of improving pupil outcomes.
• Experience in safeguarding leadership and policy implementation.
• Proven ability to lead and develop staff across a school.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building with pupils, families and partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic development of the academy, raising teaching, behaviour and achievement.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead to ensure safeguarding compliance and pupil welfare.
• Collaborate with Headteacher and senior leaders to monitor performance and drive improvements.
• Coach and develop staff through effective leadership and CPD.
• Build strong relationships with pupils, families, external agencies and the community.

Skills

Leadership

Safeguarding expertise

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Education

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Designated Safeguarding Lead training

Job description

Job Title: Deputy Head Teacher and Lead DSL

E-ACT DSLV Academy | Be proud, be Confident, be Successful

E-ACT DSLV offers a unique opportunity - guiding students through every stage of their learning and development. In an environment where they feel safe, happy, and valued, E-ACT DSLV plays an essential role at the heart of its community.

E-ACT DSLV has developed a culture of pride where high expectations and core values, such as respect and kindness, form the foundation of our behaviours. These values not only shape our interactions but also drive our performance in all areas. At the heart of our ethos is the clear understanding of right and wrong, instilling tolerance for others, and fostering the confidence to embrace challenges.

At DSLV, we inspire our students to embrace these values: Be Proud; Be Confident; Be Successful.

Be a part of something special: https://dslvacademy.e-act.org.uk

Join us in Opening Minds, Opening Doors!

Are you ready to join a vibrant educational community where every child is empowered to flourish and every colleague is supported to thrive? At our academy, we are passionate about developing the whole child through a nurturing, inclusive, and ambitious culture. With a strong people-first ethos, we invest in our staff just as much as our pupils, recognising that great teaching starts with great support. If you're driven by purpose and want to make a lasting impact, we would love to welcome you.

Are you an inspiring and ambitious leader ready to take the next step in your career?

We are seeking an exceptional Deputy Headteacher & Lead Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to join our dedicated leadership team. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated professional to play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of our school while leading a culture where safeguarding, wellbeing, and high achievement are at the heart of everything we do.

Working closely with the Headteacher, you will help drive excellence across the academy, supporting staff development, improving outcomes for pupils, and ensuring every child feels safe, valued, and empowered to succeed

Key responsibilities:

• Lead and support the strategic development of the academy, driving high standards of teaching, learning, behaviour, and achievement for all pupils.
• Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), ensuring robust safeguarding practices, compliance with statutory guidance, and a strong culture of pupil welfare.
• Work closely with the Headteacher and senior leaders to monitor school performance, implement improvement priorities, and secure excellent outcomes.
• Coach, develop, and inspire staff through effective leadership, professional development, and performance management.
• Build strong relationships with pupils, families, external agencies, and the wider community to promote inclusion, attendance, wellbeing, and positive engagement.

Pay range: L18 - L22 - £81,457 - £89,842

Qualifications and Skills:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with substantial teaching experience and a strong track record of improving pupil outcomes.
• Relevant safeguarding qualification/training (such as Designated Safeguarding Lead training) with extensive knowledge of safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance, and best practice.
• Proven leadership experience within a school setting, with the ability to inspire, motivate, and develop staff to achieve excellence.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with pupils, staff, parents, governors, and external agencies.

What are we about?

We are proud to lead system-wide change both locally and nationally, providing sector-wide support while transforming futures. Most recently, E-ACT was named Large Trust MAT of the Year 2026 at the MAT Excellence Awards. Our achievements are further recognised through winning MAT of the Year 2023 at the MAT Excellence Awards and National School Awards, as well as the TES Trust Leadership Award 2024.

E-ACT is recognised for shaping bold educational outcomes. Most recently, two of our Birmingham academies were selected by the Department for Education as RISE Regional Hubs, in recognition of their outstanding work on inclusion and behaviour. In addition, Greenfields Academy has been designated as a RISE Reception Network Lead School. This is a testament to the impact of our people-first culture and relentless drive for excellence.

Want to be a part of something extraordinary? Find out more at www.e-act.org.uk

Benefits:

• Financial and Lifestyle
• We offer a strong financial package including access to defined benefit pension schemes (LGPS or TPS), life cover at three times pensionable pay, and 31 days of annual leave for year-round employees. Staff can also benefit from the Cycle to Work scheme, promoting healthy and sustainable commuting.
• Professional Growth and Development
• We invest heavily in staff development through tailored INSET days and high-quality CPD opportunities. Teaching staff benefit from automatic TLR progression, a structured 9-point pay scale (M1 to UPS3), and full TLR payments for part-time colleagues fulfilling full responsibilities.
• Culture and Wellbeing
• Our people-first culture values every colleague. We support wellbeing through the Wisdom app and a free Employee Assistance Programme offering counselling and financial advice. Collaboration is at the heart of our Trust, encouraging shared learning and collective success.

Please look at our 'Work for Us' page and Recruitment Pack for more information.

E-ACT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults, and all appointments are subject to enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks and satisfactory references.

E-ACT is also committed to promoting equality, challenging discrimination and developing community cohesion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.