DescriptionEmployerLocation
Job Title: Secondary School - Deputy Headteacher
E‑ACT Merchants’ Academy – Ambition, Community, Opportunity
E‑ACT Merchants’ Academy is a welcoming, ambitious all‑through school serving the heart of South Bristol. Spanning Nursery to Sixth Form, the academy provides a strong sense of continuity and community, offering children and young people a supportive, inclusive environment in which to learn and grow.
With a dedicated Primary and Secondary phase, our academy provides a warm, inclusive, and supportive environment where students are encouraged to work hard, embrace challenges, and develop the confidence they need to succeed. Our staff team is committed to delivering a broad and aspirational curriculum, enriched by strong pastoral care and a focus on personal development.
Want to make a difference to young people?
Joining Merchants’ Academy means becoming part of a collaborative, values‑driven educational community. As an E‑ACT colleague, you’ll also have access to excellent professional development, supportive
networks, and the chance to help shape the future of a school committed to raising aspirations and celebrating excellence.
If you are ready to support and inspire children and young people across a diverse and vibrant school community, we would love to hear from you.
Merchant’s Academy is entering an exciting and pivotal new chapter, and we are seeking an exceptional Deputy Headteacher to help shape its future. Working alongside a newly appointed Headteacher and an evolving senior leadership team, this role offers a rare opportunity to play a defining role in the renewal and strategic direction of the academy. This post will require resilience, vision and a deep commitment to inclusive, high‑quality education. In return, the successful candidate will have genuine influence, the chance to build a strong leadership culture from the ground up, and the opportunity to make a lasting difference to the lives of our students and the wider community.
Key responsibilities:
Work in close partnership with the Headteacher to provide strategic leadership and drive rapid, sustained school improvement
Play a central role in shaping a newly formed senior leadership team establishing a strong culture of trust, accountability and ambition
Lead on raising standards of teaching, learning and achievement across the academy
Support the development and implementation of the school's vision, values and improvement pririties
Take effective responsibility for designated whole-school areas (e.g. curriculum, behaviour, inclusion, safeguarding or professional development)
Use data intelligently to evaluate impact, identify priorities and secure improved outcomes for all students
Pay range:
L18 - L22 - £78,702.00 - £86,803.00
Full Time
Permanent
Qualifications and Skills:
Qualified Teacher Status
Resilience and emotional intelligence - able to remain positive, calm and focused in a demanding, high pressure environment
Strategic leadership - capable of translating vision into clear, actionable plans that secure measurable improvement
Credibility and influence - able to win the trust of staff through expertise, integrity and visible leadership
Decisive decision making - willing to make difficult, values-driven decisions in the best interests of the student and the academy
Excellent communication skills - clear, honest and empathetic communicator with staff, students, families and external stakeholders
What are we about?
Join a trust that is going places!
At E-ACT, we believe every child deserves opportunity. Our ‘Opening Minds, Opening Doors’ strategy breaks down barriers and builds pathways to success; driven by purposeful leadership, collaboration, and innovation. We champion diversity, encourage a people-first culture, and ensure every voice is heard.
We are proud to lead system-wide change both locally and national - providing sector-wide support while transforming futures. Our achievements are recognised through winning MAT of the Year 2023 at the MAT Excellence Awards and National School Awards, and also the TES Trust Leadership Award 2024. E-ACT is recognised for shaping bold educational outcomes. Most recently, two of our Birmingham academies were selected by the Department for Education as RISE Regional Hubs, in recognition of their outstanding work on inclusion and behaviour, a testament to the impact of our people-first culture and relentless drive for excellence.
With 37 academies and over 25,000 pupils, our dedicated staff make excellence possible. We prioritise wellbeing, tackle workload, and continuously raise the bar. We don’t just educate, we inspire ambition and empower every child to thrive.
Benefits:
Financial and Lifestyle
We offer a strong financial package including access to defined benefit pension schemes (LGPS or TPS), life cover at three times pensionable pay, and 31 days of annual leave for year-round employees. Staff can also benefit from the Cycle to Work scheme, promoting healthy and sustainable commuting.
Professional Growth and Development
We invest heavily in staff development through tailored INSET days and high-quality CPD opportunities. Teaching staff benefit from automatic TLR progression, a structured 9-point pay scale (M1 to UPS3), and full TLR payments for part-time colleagues fulfilling full responsibilities.
Culture and Wellbeing
Our people-first culture values every colleague. We support wellbeing through the Wisdom app and a free Employee Assistance Programme offering counselling and financial advice. Collaboration is at the heart of our Trust, encouraging shared learning and collective success.
Please look at our 'Work for Us' page and Recruitment Pack for more information.
How to apply:
Please read the supporting documentation carefully before completing your application.
E-ACT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults, and all appointments are subject to enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks and satisfactory references.
E-ACT is also committed to promoting equality, challenging discrimination and developing community cohesion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Safeguarding Statement
All E-ACT academies, the Ambassadors and Headteachers are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment, and undergo appropriate checks including an enhanced DBS check. We particularly welcome applications from under represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.