Vice Principal

We are seeking to attract the very best, talented, aspirational leaders and teachers to join Wade Deacon High School. Due to the significant successes and achievements and continuing rapid growth of our school, you would be joining us at an exciting time.

We seek to appoint a well-qualified, enthusiastic and forward-thinking Vice Principal who can support Wade Deacon High School in providing an exceptional quality of education for all students and contribute to an already thriving learning community. We are seeking an experienced, well-rounded and inspirational senior leader with a proven track record of leading and sustaining improvement across the school and having a significant impact on the lives of the young people in their care.

The successful candidate will be an outstanding teacher with a proven track record of effective leadership. Key areas of responsibility will be tailored to the knowledge, skills and experience of the successful applicant. We are seeking a leader who has the ability to balance a broad portfolio of responsibilities. Applications are invited from motivated, well-rounded and inspirational leaders who are eager to develop their leadership and contribute towards moving our school forward.

We are committed to professional development and have a strong track record of supporting colleagues to progress in their careers. We welcome applications from experienced Assistant Vice Principals, as well as Vice Principals seeking further professional development in readiness for Headship. The new Vice Principal will be given full support in their career development, as we believe that the development of staff is a key aspect in raising standards for our students.

Wade Deacon High School is friendly, dynamic and innovative. Our latest Ofsted report from November 2022 described us as “an Outstanding School” in all areas, praising the school for providing pupils with a ‘first-rate education’ and an ‘aspirational curriculum’, describing pupils as ‘extremely happy’ and their behaviour as ‘exemplary’.

We pride ourselves on the quality and diversity of our curriculum, including our personal development and extracurricular provision which not only enable our students to enjoy their learning but also allow them to be able to meet the many challenges that they will face in the future, understanding the wider world and their place within it.

Above all else, we are a school that believes that every student, regardless of their context or starting point, can and should achieve their full potential. If you believe that you have the motivation, belief and leadership quality to contribute to our future success, we would welcome an application from you.

If you would like to visit the school, we are holding two recruitment evenings on 24 September and 30 September, 4-6 pm. Please contact Miss Claire Rutland on 0151 423 2721 or email c.rutland@wadedeacon.co.uk for more details.

About our School

Our History: We are proud of our rich history and heritage. Wade Deacon High School traces its origins back to 1507 when the original grammar school was founded by Bishop William Smyth. The main building, with its Art Deco façade, was opened in 1931 as Wade Deacon Grammar School, named after Sir Henry Wade Deacon, a prominent local industrialist and politician. We are a school which proudly builds on these traditions while embracing the modern world.

Our Community: We are a proudly comprehensive and inclusive school unwaveringly committed to serving our local community. The majority of the students live very close to the school, and our intake covers the full range of abilities and a spectrum of diverse backgrounds. The school is held in great affection by the local community, and we work hard to ensure that this excellent relationship is preserved. We are heavily involved in a range of community events and fundraising projects throughout the year, with numerous charity organisations benefiting from the generosity of the Wade Deacon Family. We have close and important links with many community groups, local organisations and charities.

Our Students: We could not be more proud of our students who maintain the highest standards, both in school and in the wider community in terms of their positive attitudes to learning, their behaviour, their respect and their uniform. Visitors to our school routinely comment on how impressed they are with the conduct of our students, and our most recent Ofsted inspection celebrated how our students 'fully live out the school's values' through their 'exemplary behaviour' and 'respectful interactions'. Our students are very happy at school, and very proud to be part of the Wade Deacon Family.

The Wade Deacon Trust: We are a key member of a family of schools working collaboratively as equal partners, with a Commitment to Excellence in all we do for the benefit of our students, our staff and our communities. We celebrate and maintain the uniqueness of each of our schools, learning from each other and our wider partnerships.

Our online application and further details are available via the Trust website: https://wadedeacontrust.face-ed.co.uk/vacancies

Closing date: 9 am on Friday, 9 October 2026.

Interviews: Week commencing 12 October 2026.

The Wade Deacon Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and is subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory medical clearance.