Headteacher

Headteacher

Unique opportunity for an outstanding leader

Derby Diocesan Academy Trust (DDAT) is a Multi Academy Trust that comprises of thirty-three schools, including primary, infant, junior, secondary, sixth form and nursery provision, across Derbyshire and within Derby City. Established in 2014 by the Diocese of Derby, DDAT is committed to providing high quality education for all children in their academies based on clearly established Christian values and principles. As the leader of our flagship secondary school, the Headteacher for Derby Cathedral School (DCS) will play a pivotal role in the next stage of the Trust's development, following the promotion of our current Headteacher to a larger secondary school within another Trust.

Derby Cathedral School is the first ever Church of England Secondary school in the Diocese, housed in a state-of-the-art building in a high-profile location in Derby City Centre. The 11 - 19 secondary school opened in September 2018, established by Derby Diocesan Academy Trust (DDAT) and Derby Cathedral to help meet the need for additional high-quality secondary places in the Derby area and to give local families more choice. The school enjoys a close connection with Derby Cathedral which is enhanced by strong links with the Cathedral Choir and Music Department, which has a track record of music tutelage. The school is currently over-subscribed, having welcomed its first Year 13 cohort in September 2024. We are looking for an exceptional leader who shares our ambitions for this school and the diverse community that it serves.

Providing strategic leadership for the school, you will ensure that the Trusts' vision for Derby Cathedral School as a secondary school is embedded and will:

• continue to provide a balanced and broadly-based education designed to enable all students to discover their strengths and to make the most of their talents
• engender respect for individuality, difference, the importance of teamwork and the contribution that each student makes to the life of the school and local community
• secure & sustain excellence in safeguarding students' health and well-being
• embed the ethos of the school as a Church of England school with an inclusive and supportive Christian ethos which welcomes, values and nurtures all students regardless of background and of faith/no faith.
• develop the school's value-added curriculum in order to establish a centre of curriculum and scholastic excellence in the focus subjects which is also capable of leveraging whole-school performance
• achieve Ofsted inspection judgements that reflect our ambition for this school to be a beacon of excellence
• act successfully as a community hub, including through appropriate use of school facilities by community groups, and promoting community cohesion.

You will be motivated to release talent from each and every student, regardless of aptitude or background aiming for the strongest outcomes and full engagement in programmes of sport, the arts, interests and study in compulsory extended provision. You will fully support the Christian ethos of the school and Multi-Academy Trust, sharing our mission For every child and young person to embrace "life in all its fullness" (John 10:10).

In return, DDAT will offer you:

• Support from experienced DCEO/CEO to ensure that the post-holder receives the necessary professional development to be successful in the role, and have impact across the Trust
• Support from a dedicated team of school improvement officers with substantial and current experience of inspection and adding value to our schools
• An opportunity to work as part of a supportive wider team.
• A competitive salary and TPS pension contributions.
• Benefits including but not limited to; Free onsite parking at Derby Cathedral School, Cycle to Work Scheme, free eye tests and a contribution towards a pair of glasses for employees using VDU's, Employee Assistant Programme & an opportunity to work flexibly.

Application information

School visits: Monday 31 st March 2025

Closing date: Friday 11 th April 2025

Interviews are scheduled for Thursday 24 th and Friday 25 th April 2025

To arrange an informal enquiry and/or to request a visit to the school, please email

To apply for this opportunity please click the 'Apply now' button and include your CV and a covering message.

Please do not apply via The Guardian website.