Job Description

Job profile


The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

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Job reference

REQ00000018990

Date posted

20/10/2025

Application closing date

03/11/2025

Location

KENDAL

Salary

67,873.00 - 68,775.00

Package

Contractual hours

37

Basis

Full time

Attachments

Deputy Headteacher - Virtual School WMF2331i

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Job description

INTERNAL ONLY

Location: South Lakeland House & Hybrid

Contract Type: Permanent

About this opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity and development for the Virtual School as we continue in our commitment to improving the lifelong outcomes for children and young people in the care of the local authority as well as for care leavers and specific groups of vulnerable children.



As the Deputy Headteacher of the Virtual School, you will have the opportunity to work with the Virtual School Headteacher to lead, support and challenge internal and external schools and partners to secure the best possible educational outcomes for our children and young people.


Acting as champion for children looked after and ensuring that opportunities are maximised and allowing the voice of the child looked after to be heard and responded to positively and is considered during decision making Ensuring that children looked after gain access to and receive a high quality of education throughout their school life and are provided with the key support to achieve their potential. Ensuring that the Local Authority is able to be an excellent corporate parent by fulfilling a lead education role for children looked after. Raising levels of achievement for all children looked after in Westmorland & Furness through effective monitoring, support and challenge for schools and services responsible for delivering education. Providing clear accountability so that every part of the education system has clear and well-defined aims and performance targets to ensure that children looked after are a priority. Ensuring that all children looked after in Westmorland & Furness are well supported in their schools, enjoy, make good progress from their starting points and are supported to remain in education, employment or training post-16 to achieve their full potential.

Who we are looking for...

We are seeking an experienced educational leader with a passion for transforming the lives of children and young people in the care of the local authority as well as for care leavers and specific groups of vulnerable children. You will be an ambitious, emotionally intelligent and highly organised professional, ready to support and challenge schools and settings to secure excellent outcomes for our children and young people.



You will have a proven track record of raising attainment and championing inclusion, alongside the ability to build strong relationships with children, carers, schools, social care teams and a range of partner agencies.



As Deputy Headteacher of our Virtual School, you will be a strategic thinker and an empathetic leader - someone who can inspire high expectations, deliver impactful training, model trauma-informed practice in everything you do. You will help strengthen our culture of belonging, advocate tirelessly for our young people, and ensure their voices are heard at every level.



If you are committed to making a tangible difference and have the drive, vision and resilience to lead in this complex yet rewarding area, we would love to hear from you.

Please see below for some of the skills, knowledge or behaviours that we feel are desirable and/or essential for this role. Full details available in the application pack.

Qualified Teacher Status. Evidence of commitment to continuous professional development including trauma informed practice. Senior leadership experience in either a school or Virtual School setting. Experience of working with, and a commitment to, improving the outcomes and achievement levels for children who are looked-after or who have ever been in care Experience of developing and providing high quality training to an adult audience Experience in the use of data and information to inform improvement plans, training and practice Experience of managing a budget is desirable. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of school curriculum and assessment and how to analyse qualitative and quantitative data to support the raising of achievement and attainment of children looked after. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the statutory guidance for local authorities to promote the education of looked after and previously looked-after children. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the statutory guidance on the roles and responsibilities for designated teachers for looked after and previously looked-after children. A knowledge and understanding of the Ofsted and ILACS framework is desirable. Demonstrate highly effective interpersonal, organisational and articulate communication skills. Demonstrate leadership skills and qualities to lead and motivate others. Ability to negotiate, resolve problems and manage conflict and change successfully. Ability to develop positive, collaborative working partnerships with a range of stakeholders and to command credibility among peers. Ability to complete a high volume of workload to a high standard, achieving successful outcomes and by managing time effectively.

What can we offer you!

Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site.

Our benefits | Careers (westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk)

Would you like to find out more?

For further information about this role, such as responsibilities and essential criteria please view the below attachments:

Post Specification

Role Profile

If you have any queries about this role or would like an informal chat about this opportunity, then please contact Sarah Campbell-Roscoe on 07584183060.

Application and Interview information

Closing date: 03/11/2025

Interview date: 14/11/2025



We are currently operating both in-person and virtual interviews. Options will be discussed with candidates once they have been invited to the interview stage of the process for this specific position, and if you have any concerns or adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss this with you.



Westmorland and Furness Council are now able to offer sponsorship for Skilled Worker Visa applications for eligible roles. Please note, we cannot guarantee the eligibility of all of our roles, therefore, if you would like more information on roles that may be eligible please visit the government website -

Skilled Worker visa: eligible occupations and codes - GOV.UK

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Safer Recruitment & DBS

At Westmorland and Furness Council we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and we expect all workers, employees and volunteers to share our commitment.



This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and requires an enhanced DBS check.

Please note this role involves working in regulated activity with Children. It is an offence for people who are barred from working in regulated activity to apply for roles that require them to work unsupervised with Children.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and work to promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences.

As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.

We also offer guaranteed interviews to Armed Forces personnel and veterans and those in care or care experienced and under 24 years old (someone who has been looked after by a local authority at any point, for any length of time, e.g. foster care, residential care, or under the guardianship of a local authority) that meet the essential criteria for the role.
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