Senior Deputy Headteacher

The Shaw Education Trust; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme / TSP

Generous holidays

Medicash Health & Wellbeing

DiscountForTeachers

Free Eye Tests

Cycle to work

Job summary

Fortis Academy in Birmingham is seeking a Senior Deputy Headteacher to provide strategic and operational leadership, deputise for the Headteacher when required and drive school improvement to raise standards for all pupils.

Fortis Academy is a thriving community opening a new campus in 2030, educating over 2,000 students from Year 11 to Sixth Form, with a focus on a rigorous GCSE to post 16 curriculum and strong Sixth Form performance.

Qualifications

• Significant experience of successful senior leadership within a school setting.
• Proven track record of contributing to school improvement and pupil outcomes.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills.
• Confident in leading in the Headteacher's absence and strategic decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Provide outstanding leadership across the school in collaboration with the Headteacher.
• Drive improvements in teaching, behaviour and pupil development.
• Lead on school improvement priorities and safeguarding.
• Develop positive relationships with pupils, staff, parents and the wider community.

Skills

Senior leadership

School management

Strategic vision

Data-driven decisions

Job description

Lead, Inspire and Make a Difference! We are seeking an ambitious, inspirational and highly motivated Senior Deputy Headteacher to join our dedicated and forward-thinking leadership team. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced senior leader who is passionate about education, committed to achieving the very best outcomes for every pupil, and ready to play a key role in shaping the continued success and development of our school. Working closely with the Headteacher and wider leadership team, the Senior Deputy Headteacher will provide strong strategic and operational leadership across the school. You will be a visible, approachable and inspirational presence, helping to create a positive culture where pupils and staff are encouraged to thrive.

As Senior Deputy Headteacher, you will:

• Work closely with the Headteacher to provide outstanding leadership and direction across the school.
• Support the Headteacher in delivering the school's vision, values and strategic priorities.
• Be ready and able to deputise for the Headteacher in their absence, providing confident and effective leadership and ensuring the continued smooth running of the school.
• Lead on key areas of school improvement and contribute significantly to raising standards and improving outcomes for all pupils.
• Support and challenge colleagues to secure high standards of teaching, learning, behaviour and personal development.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with pupils, staff, parents, governors and the wider community.
• Promote a culture of high expectations, inclusion, safeguarding and continuous improvement.
• Use data and evidence effectively to identify priorities and drive improvement.
• Support the development, wellbeing and professional growth of staff.
• Play a key role in maintaining a safe, supportive and positive learning environment for all pupils.
• Contribute to the strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the school.

We are looking for an exceptional leader who:

• Has significant experience of successful senior leadership within a school setting.
• Is an outstanding or highly effective teacher and educational leader.
• Has a proven track record of contributing to school improvement and raising pupil outcomes.
• Has excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills.
• Is confident in making decisions, managing complex situations and providing strong leadership when required.
• Has the confidence, experience and authority to step up and effectively lead the school in the Headteacher's absence.
• Is passionate about developing both pupils and staff.
• Is resilient, approachable and able to build strong professional relationships.
• Shares our commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed.

Fortis Academy is more than a school. It is a thriving community where ambition, hard work, and opportunity come together. With a brand new, state of the art campus opening in 2030, Fortis is on track to become the largest academy in Birmingham, educating over 2,000 students from Year 11 to Sixth Form.

Our mission is simple: Enriching Lives. We develop confident, capable young people guided by our core values of character, resilience, and aspiration, which shape everything we do.

We offer a challenging, well-structured curriculum from GCSE to post 16 pathways, preparing students for further education, employment, and life beyond school. Every student is equipped with an iPad to support modern, flexible learning in school and at home.

Our success is driven by over 200 dedicated staff who are fully committed to supporting students and improving practice. Student wellbeing is central to life at Fortis, with strong support for mental health, confidence, and personal development. Our Sixth Form is one of Birmingham’s strongest, with a Value-Added score of 0.36 in 2026, enriched by opportunities that broaden horizons and build real world skills.

With outstanding facilities ahead and a growing community, Fortis Academy continues to inspire, support, and challenge every student to succeed.

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, community, 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.

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.