Senior Deputy Headteacher

Fortis Academy; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local government pension

Generous holiday entitlement

Medicash

Discounts for teachers

Free Eye Tests

Cycle to work scheme

Institute of Education access

Job summary

Fortis Academy in Birmingham is seeking a Senior Deputy Headteacher to join the dedicated leadership team. You will work with the Headteacher to drive strategic priorities, raise standards and improve pupil outcomes, whilst maintaining a safe, supportive learning environment.

You will lead on school improvement, support colleagues in teaching and behaviour, and act decisively in the Headteacher's absence. This role demands vision, resilience and outstanding communications across staff, pupils

Qualifications

• Significant experience of successful senior leadership within a school setting.
• Outstanding or highly effective teaching and educational leadership.
• Proven track record of contributing to school improvement and raising pupil outcomes.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills.
• Ability to deputise for the Headteacher in their absence with calm authority.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Deputise for the Headteacher in their absence, ensuring smooth running of the school.
• Lead on key areas of school improvement and raise standards and outcomes for pupils.
• Support colleagues to secure high standards of teaching, learning, behaviour and personal development.
• Develop positive relationships with pupils, staff, parents and the wider community.
• Promote high expectations, safeguarding and continuous improvement.
• Use data to identify priorities and drive improvement.
• Support staff development and wellbeing.
• Contribute to the strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the school.

Skills

Senior leadership

Strategic leadership

Data-driven decision making

Communication and collaboration

Staff development

Education

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

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.

All candidates are required to provide a supporting statement on the formal application forms which states clearly your reasons for applying, skills and experience for this position.

AtShaw 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 wedo. Our vision is “Opening doors to the world through the power oflearning.” We bring this to life through our mission: workingtogether to inspire communities where every school is valued, every voicematters, and every learner thrives.

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

Ourpeople are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their developmentthrough 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 aculture where you feel supported, motivated, and inspired to make a realdifference.

Youwill join a collaborative network of schools where shared expertise and astrong professional community drive success. Every academy within our Trust hasan equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital role in shaping tailoredlearning experiences that raise aspirations and build brighter futures.

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

Webelieve every child has the potential to be extraordinary.

ShawEducation Trust offer the following employee benefits with your Teaching orSupport Staff employment:

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

Weknow our people are the key to our success and so we’re committed toensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is a rewardingone.

Colleagueswithin the Trust benefit from:

Access to a full range of courses both in-house andprofessionally accredited. These courses include a variety of the NationalProfessional Qualifications and the Early Carer Teacher Programme delivered byShaw Education Trust as a delivery partner for Ambition Institute.

• Experiencedleadership and subject-specific support.
• Guidancefrom former HMIs and serving Ofsted Inspectors within the Trust.
• Accessto the Trust’s Institute of Education and SCITT.
• Opportunitiesto work with different schools within the Trust as a Professional Advocate.
• Participatingin peer reviews.
• Accessto a suite of online courses.
• Placementprojects within our family of schools.