Virtual School Deputy Headteacher

Oldham; Oldham; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

LGPS pension

Discounted gym

Staff discount

Cycle to Work

Wellbeing support

Employee assistance

Job summary

Oldham Council’s Virtual School, based in Oldham, is seeking a Deputy Headteacher (Attendance & Inclusion) to lead strategies improving attendance, inclusion and outcomes for vulnerable children. You will influence practice across schools, social care and partners, turning data into sustainable improvements.

This role offers strategic leadership with opportunities to shape education outcomes for vulnerable cohorts and to drive partnership work across education and social care sectors.

Qualifications

• QTS with significant experience leading strategies that improve attendance, inclusion and outcomes for vulnerable cohorts.
• Strong strategic leadership and management abilities with the capacity to motivate and influence others.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills, able to turn data into improvement plans.
• Knowledge of safeguarding legislation and guidance for vulnerable children, incl. trauma and ACEs.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership to improve attendance, inclusion and outcomes for vulnerable children.
• Collaborate with schools, social workers, carers and partners to influence practice and maintain high aspirations.
• Develop and implement strategies, programmes and improvement plans using data to measure impact.
• Deliver training and professional development for schools, Children’s Social Care and partner agencies.
• Contribute to partnership panels, service planning and policy development to meet statutory duties.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Analytical skills

Data-driven decisions

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

Job description

Children’s Services

Virtual School Deputy Headteacher

Ref: 001807

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £50,158 - £54,140 (Soulbury 11- 14)

Hours: 36.66 per week

Location: Oldham Council Offices, Spindles Shopping Centre, Oldham

Closing Date: Sunday 8 November 2026

Interview Date: Tuesday 24 November 2026

Role Overview:

As Virtual School Deputy Headteacher (Attendance & Inclusion), you will play a key leadership role in shaping and driving the Virtual School’s ambition for vulnerable children. Working alongside the Virtual School Headteacher and Team Manager, you will lead strategic approaches that improve attendance, strengthen inclusion and raise educational outcomes.

You will have the opportunity to influence practice, challenge thinking and bring partners together across schools, Children’s Social Care and wider services. Using your expertise, insight and understanding of what makes a difference, you will turn data and evidence into meaningful action and sustainable improvement.

This is a role for an ambitious and inspirational education leader who wants to make a real and lasting difference to the lives and futures of vulnerable children.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for improving attendance, inclusion and educational outcomes for vulnerable children
• Work with schools, social workers, carers and partners to challenge and influence practice, maintaining high aspirations for children
• Lead the development and implementation of strategies, programmes and improvement plans, using data and evidence to identify priorities and measure impact
• Develop and deliver training, guidance and professional development for schools, Children’s Social Care and partner agencies
• Contribute to partnership panels, service planning, commissioning and policy development, ensuring statutory duties and strategic priorities are effectively delivered

Key Requirements:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with significant experience of leading strategies that improve attendance, inclusion and outcomes for vulnerable cohorts
• Strong strategic leadership and management experience, with the ability to motivate, develop and influence others
• Excellent analytical, communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to turn data and evidence into effective improvement plans
• Strong knowledge of legislation, safeguarding and guidance relating to vulnerable children, including the impact of trauma, attachment and adverse childhood experiences on education
• Ability to build effective relationships and work collaboratively across education, Children’s Social Care, families, schools and wider partners, with a commitment to improving outcomes for vulnerable children

About Us:

We want Oldham to have vibrant, safe neighbourhoods where people are proud to live with opportunities for healthier, more fulfilled lives; and a sustainable, thriving economy. As we look to the future, the challenges may be significant, but so are the opportunities. We’ve identified three missions with our residents and partners, focusing on what will deliver the biggest impact:

A Great Place to Live, Healthier, Happier Lives, and Green and Growing.

We’re looking for candidates who will support us to achieve our ambitions and we encourage you to download our Corporate Plan: Ready for the Future and our Oldham Plan for further information

Our Values and Behaviours:

By driving innovation, investing in our people, and championing our communities, we will ensure that Oldham continues to be a place where everyone can live their best life. To support this, we have three core values which define who we are and how we operate. These are ‘Proud, Ambitious, and Together’ and they shape our culture, inform our decisions, and inspire us to deliver on our commitments to the people of Oldham.

We have translated these values into five behaviours which guide our actions and are the standards we hold ourselves to, day in and day out:

• Work with a resident focus
• Support local leaders
• Committed to the borough
• Delivery high performance
• Take ownership and drive change

Our Benefits Package:

At Oldham Council we offer a great benefits package for our employees, which includes the following:

• 25 days annual leave which increases after 5 and 10-years’ service
• The option to purchase additional annual leave.
• An attractive LGPS benefit pension scheme with the option to make shared cost additional voluntary contributions.
• Discounted gym membership with Oldham Active.
• Staff discount scheme for shopping, entertainment, eating-out, eating-in, travel, motoring and more.
• Salary sacrifice scheme for home and electronics and Cycle to Work.
• Wellbeing support, including a Mental Health First Aider network and an Employment Assistance Programme that provides 24 hours access to advice and support.
• Staff recognition and celebration events.
• Peer support groups

Inclusive Recruitment:

We work closely with employees to help them work at their best, including making adjustments such as flexible working, describing available working patterns, providing equipment or making changes to the workplace.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and therefore expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you have lived or worked abroad for 3 months or more in the last 5 years or 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years whilst aged 18 or over, please refer to the link below for details for how to obtain your Certificates of Good Character. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants

Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship.

If you’re an applicant with disabilities and have previously been in or currently in care, a carer, someone who has served in the Armed Forces, or you’ve participated in the GM Elevate Programme, and you meet the essential criteria of the role, you are guaranteed to reach the first stage of assessment under our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme.

Data and Privacy:

For details of how we use your data please see our p rivacy notice.

Important Information:

Please note that should a vacancy that has been released for internal or external recruitment be deemed suitable for a current employee at risk of redundancy, it can be pulled back at any point, up to the post being formally offered to a candidate who is not at risk of redundancy.

Right to Work in the UK from 1st July 2021.doc

Supporting Documents:

• Job Description & Person Specification
• Right To Work