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- Tasks: Lead change and inspire futures for children in care and young learners.
- Company: Darlington Virtual School, dedicated to championing education for vulnerable children.
- Benefits: 32 days annual leave, generous family leave, and access to training and development.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on children's lives and shape the future of education.
- Qualifications: Experienced leader with a strong understanding of educational challenges faced by young people.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 52805 - 61106 £ per year.
Deputy Headteacher of Virtual School (Ref: TBC)
Salary £52,805 – £61,106 Salary Band Over £50,000 Post Type Permanent Hours Per Week Full time
Job and Application details
Categories Education
Directorate N/A
Published Date 02/10/2025
Closing Date 19/10/2025
Deputy Headteacher of Virtual School: Lead Change, Inspire Futures
Darlington Virtual School champions the education of children in care, previously looked-after children, those in kinship care, post-16 learners, and children with a social worker. We are seeking a Deputy Virtual School Headteacher to strengthen our leadership capacity and help every child achieve their potential.
This new role will work alongside the Virtual School Head to provide both strategic leadership and day-to-day operational guidance. You will oversee personal education planning, support schools and partners, and ensure that the Pupil Premium Plus grant is used effectively to deliver measurable impact. The post also provides resilience and continuity for the Virtual School’s expanding statutory responsibilities.
We are looking for an experienced leader with a strong understanding of the challenges faced by children and young people in education. You will bring the skills to influence, inspire and improve practice across schools and agencies. In return, you will have the opportunity to make a lasting difference to children’s lives and shape the future of Darlington Virtual School.
The rewards for working at Darlington Borough Council go beyond the salary you will receive; we have numerous additional benefits such as:
- 32 days Annual Leave, plus Bank Holidays, with option to purchase additional Annual Leave (pro-rata for part time working)
- Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme with option to make Additional Voluntary Contributions
- Generous Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave schemes
- Staff equality forums
- Green Car Leasing Scheme
- Access to a wide range of training, learning and development
- Physiotherapy service
- Confidential counselling service
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Dolphin Centre Fit for Life Discounts
- Local and National retailer discounts
- Vivup employee benefit app and Lifestyle Savings
- Arriva Employee Travel Club
For the full range of benefits we offer, please see our Why work for us internet page, which also includes our Total Reward Booklet and Employee Benefit Video.
Find out further information about us and what it’s like to work for our great team by visiting the Jobs and Careers home page.
For detailed information on this role, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.
Provisional Interview dates for this post will be 6th November 2025.
General Information for Applicants:
For a further informal discussion and any queries around the role profile and jobs itself please contact the manager Calvin Kipling at Calvin.Kipling@darlington.gov.uk .
If you have any further questions regarding applying for this role or the questions and required fields within the application form, please contact the HR Support team on 01325 403217 or HR@darlington.gov.uk .
If you are experiencing problems with the NE Jobs website, such as logging in, saving pages, on account queries please contact smccurry@nereo.gov.uk or fill out the form within the link below.
All applicant email correspondence will come from donotreply@northeastjobs.org.uk and may be directed to your Junk folder depending on the settings of your email account. Please check both your email and Junk folder as all applicants will be notified whether they have been shortlisted.
You must ensure that anything submitted in your application is factually accurate. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. Whilst we accept candidates may use AI tools within job applications; submissions must be truthful and relevant to your own experience.
We are an equal opportunities\’ employer. We welcome applicants from all sections of the community. We aim to interview any applicant who declares a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job.
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Deputy Headteacher of Virtual School employer: Darlington Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Darlington Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Headteacher of Virtual School
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who might know about the Deputy Headteacher role. A friendly chat can lead to insider info and even a recommendation.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Darlington Virtual School. Understand their mission and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend or mentor to do a mock interview with you. Focus on articulating your leadership style and how you plan to inspire change in the virtual school setting.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application is seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and the benefits we offer.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Headteacher of Virtual School
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Deputy Headteacher. We want to see how you can lead change and inspire futures, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant skills!
Be Clear and Concise: When filling out your application, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and get straight to the point about your achievements and how they relate to the job. Remember, less is often more!
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for education and supporting children shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who’s genuinely excited about making a difference, so share your motivations and what drives you in this field.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application via our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our fantastic benefits there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Darlington Borough Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand the role of a Deputy Headteacher in a Virtual School. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by children in care and how the Pupil Premium Plus grant can be effectively utilised. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise and passion during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or initiatives in the past. Think about times when you've inspired change or improved practices in education. Be ready to discuss these experiences and how they relate to the responsibilities of this role.
✨Engage with the Vision
Research Darlington Virtual School's mission and values. Be prepared to discuss how your personal educational philosophy aligns with their goals. Showing that you’re genuinely invested in their vision will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could include inquiries about the school's strategic plans or how they measure the impact of the Pupil Premium Plus grant. Thoughtful questions show your interest and engagement with the role.