Deputy Headteacher - Raising Standards & Sixth Form

Shorefields; Basildon; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Basildon is seeking an exceptional Deputy Headteacher to drive the next phase of school improvement. This role involves strategic leadership for the sixth form, ensuring high-quality academic pathways and improving overall student outcomes. The ideal candidate will be an experienced leader with a proven track record in school improvement and a commitment to safeguarding and student wellbeing. The position offers a full-time, permanent contract and is integral to the school's ambition for excellence.

Qualifications

• Proven record of school improvement in a leadership role.
• Experience in leading sixth form provision.
• Committed to high standards of student wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership to improve outcomes.
• Oversee leadership and performance of the sixth form.
• Support day-to-day operational leadership of the school.

Skills

Leadership

Change management

Safeguarding

Strategic thinking

Inclusion

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

Experience as Deputy Headteacher or Assistant Headteacher

Job description

Deputy Headteacher - Raising Standards & Sixth Form

Position Start Date: 01/09/2026 Contract Type: Full‑time Contract Term: Permanent

Application Close: 23/02/2026 Midnight Date of Interviews: 03/03/2026

St Clere's School, part of the Osborne Co‑operative Academy Trust, is seeking to appoint an exceptional Deputy Headteacher to play a pivotal role in the next phase of their improvement journey. This is a rare opportunity to join a GOOD Ofsted‑rated 11‑18 school with a thriving and growing sixth form, working closely with the Executive Headteacher and Head of School to shape the provision for students and staff alike.

The Role

As Deputy Headteacher with responsibility for Raising Standards and Sixth Form, you will:

• Provide strategic leadership to further improve outcomes and achievement across the school
• Take overall responsibility for the leadership, development and performance of the sixth form, ensuring high‑quality academic and vocational pathways
• Build on the school's recent GOOD Ofsted inspection, embedding effective school improvement strategies
• Support the Head of School with the day‑to‑day operational leadership of a large and complex school
• Lead a culture of high expectations, inclusion and accountability for all learners
• Contribute to trust‑wide improvement work, including peer review through the School Partnership Programme
• Deputise for the Head of School as required.

About the Sixth Form

Opened in September 2023, St Clere's Sixth Form is already well‑established and growing in both size and reputation. The candidate will lead the next stage of development, ensuring strong outcomes and progression to higher education, apprenticeships and employment, and continued growth.

About St Clere's School

St Clere's is a popular, oversubscribed secondary school serving the Stanford‑le‑Hope community. The school is currently benefiting from a significant DfE‑funded rebuild and remodelling programme and is recognised for its inclusive ethos, ambitious curriculum and exceptional specialist provision for deaf and visually impaired students. The school motto, Persequi Optima – The Pursuit of Excellence, underpins all aspects of school life.

About Osborne Co‑operative Academy Trust

Osborne is a well‑established and ambitious trust built on co‑operative values of self‑responsibility, equity, democracy, solidarity and equality. All trust schools are rated GOOD, and collaboration, professional development and staff wellbeing are central to the trust's culture. Leaders benefit from strong support, clear career pathways and trust‑wide development opportunities.

We Are Looking For

• An experienced senior leader (Very experienced Assistant Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher) with a proven record of school improvement
• Highly credible in leading sixth form provision, including curriculum, outcomes, funding and progression
• An inspirational leader who motivates, supports and challenges others
• Strategically minded, with the ability to manage change and deliver impact
• Committed to safeguarding, inclusion and the highest standards of student wellbeing
• Aligned with co‑operative values and collaborative leadership.

How to Apply

For an informal discussion, the candidate pack or to arrange a visit, please contact our recruitment partner:

Cressida Johns at Academicis

[e-mail]

07733 628155 / 01223 907979

Please see the attached candidate pack.

Closing Dates

Closing Date: Tuesday 23rd February

Shortlist Date: Thursday 26th February

Interview Date: Tuesday 3rd March

Information about the School

St Clere’s School is a secondary school and Co‑operative Academy with an ethos that promotes excellence for all. Everything we do is underpinned by Co‑operative values that guide and develop our students through their education to become successful, responsible and confident adults. We work in partnership with a family of schools including East Tilbury Primary School, Stanford‑le‑Hope Primary School, Thameside Primary School, Arthur Bugler Primary School and Brentwood County High School. Due to our excellent Science facilities and results, we were awarded Specialist Science College status in 2010. We have since been awarded a second specialism in Sport because of our outstanding amenities and standards.

We have over 1100 students here, who are busy finding out that learning can be enjoyable and will bring them greater opportunities in life. Our well‑qualified staff teach with great energy and expertise in an environment that has exceptional standards.

St Clere’s School is located on the edge of Stanford‑le‑Hope, a short distance from the A13, and is surrounded by a large expanse of playing fields, which enable us to enjoy a vast array of sports. We have a range of facilities including a state‑of‑the‑art Drama studio, an Apple Mac suite, fully refurbished Science labs, Sports Pavilion, 3G all‑weather floodlit pitch, tennis courts and an exceptionally well‑stocked Library with research and quiet study space. In addition, we have classrooms with up‑to‑date ICT resources, which enhance the teaching for all students and provide a comfortable environment in which to learn.

Our reputation is one of very high academic standards and outstanding pupil conduct. St Clere’s School has gone from strength to strength and the past few years, St. Clere's School pupils have achieved significantly above national results. The Maths department have continued their trend of results, high in the 80s where one third of pupils left with a top grade of 7 to 9. The English department has also mirrored that success with results high in the 80s and significantly above national. Additionally, our progress score continues to be a solid positive and our Ebacc results are above national. Both ICT and separate sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) were 100% A* to C. These results are significantly above national figures and some of the best results in the history of our school, demonstrating: high quality teaching and learning; continuous dedication of staff and the engagement for learning of our pupils. All of this is evident on a daily basis at St Clere’s School.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.