Virtual School Deputy Headteacher

Hurst Green; Brierley Hill; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Dudley Council invites applications for a Deputy Head Teacher at the Dudley Virtual School. You will provide strategic leadership, champion educational needs of looked after children, and work across education, social care and partner agencies to raise aspirations and achievement.

The role uses data to identify needs, target support and drive improvements, ensuring education remains central to planning for vulnerable learners. The post holder may deputise for the Head Teacher as required.

Qualifications

• Significant experience of working with vulnerable children and young people.
• Experience of leading initiatives to improve educational outcomes, attendance or inclusion.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and multi-agency collaboration.
• Experience of strategic work with schools, colleges and partner agencies.
• Excellent leadership, communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong analytical skills to use data for priorities and improvement.
• Experience leading projects and service development.
• CPD and leadership development proof.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic direction for the Virtual School alongside the Head Teacher.
• Champion the educational needs of children in care and previously looked after children.
• Drive improvement through data analysis and targeted support across education and social care.
• Deputise for the Head Teacher when required and support statutory responsibilities.

Skills

Educational leadership

Data-driven decision making

Strategic collaboration

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Education

Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional qualification

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Cable Plaza, Waterfront W, Brierley Hill

Cable Plaza, Waterfront W, Brierley Hill

Closing Date:

19/11/2026

Job Type:

Sector:

Education

Business Unit:

Children's Services

Job Introduction

Deputy Head Teacher - Virtual School

We are seeking an experienced, passionate and ambitious leader to join Dudley Virtual School as Deputy Head Teacher . This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in improving educational outcomes and life chances for some of our most vulnerable children and young people.

Job Summary

The Deputy Head Teacher will support the Head Teacher in providing strategic leadership for the Virtual School, championing the educational needs of children in care, previously looked after children, and children with a social worker . Working across education, social care and partner agencies, they will promote high aspirations, inclusion and achievement, ensuring education remains central to planning and decision- making for vulnerable learners .

The role will use data and evidence to identify need, target support and drive improvement, working collaboratively with schools, colleges and professionals to remove barriers to learning, improve attendance and engagement, and secure positive outcomes for children and young people.

As a senior leader , the postholder will contribute to the ongoing development of Dudley Virtual School by leading initiatives and partnerships that raise aspirations and improve outcomes . They will also deputise for the Head Teacher as required and support the delivery of the Local Authority's statutory responsibilities .

The successful candidate will have:

• Significant experience of working with vulnerable children and young people, including children in care, previously looked after children and/or children with social workers.
• Experience of leading initiatives that have improved educational outcomes, attendance, inclusion or engagement for disadvantaged learners
• A strong understanding of safeguarding, corporate parenting responsibilities, SEND and multi-agency working.
• Experience of working strategically with schools, colleges, alternative provision settings and partner agencies to secure positive outcomes for children and young people.
• Excellent leadership, communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence practice and provide both support and constructive challenge.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to use data to identify priorities, measure impact and drive service improvement.
• Experience of leading projects, service development and improvement initiatives.
• A degree-level qualification or equivalent professional qualification, alongside evidence of continuing professional development and leadership expertise.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking Virtual School and make a lasting difference to the lives of children and young peopleacross Dudley. If you are committed to educational excellence, passionate about improving outcomes for vulnerable learners and keen to help shape strategic developments across education and children's services, we would love to hear from you .

Workplace Attendance: Working in the office 3+ days a week (pro-rata)

All applicants must be able to provide documentation to prove their right to work in the UK.

Please note: Dudley MBC does not currently offer sponsorship for candidates without the Right to Work in the UK.

Dudley Council will check the information that you have provided against any details already held for accuracy and completeness . The Council will check, share and cross match your information both internally within the council and with external organisations to protect public funds and prevent or detect crime, only where the law allows us to do so .

N.B. We reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the advertised date should we receive a large number of applications