Deputy Head Teacher

The Ladder School,

Job Title:

Deputy Headteacher.

Location:

The Ladder School, Walsall. We’re looking for a visionary and compassionate school leader to become the Deputy Headteacher of The Ladder School – The Mercian Trust’s Alternative Provision Free School for students aged 13-19, set in a fantastic modern building in the heart of Walsall. At The Ladder School, we provide a purposeful, nurturing and ambitious education for young people who need something different from mainstream provision.

More than an alternative placement, The Ladder School offers students a fresh opportunity to reconnect, re-engage and prepare positively for their future. Every student is known as an individual. Our staff look beyond behaviour, barriers and previous experiences to understand the whole child. Through strong relationships, consistent routines and high expectations, students are supported to rebuild trust, develop confidence and re‑engage with learning.

Our school has a warm, family feel. It is safe, respectful and inclusive, while remaining clear about standards, responsibility and ambition. Students experience care, structure and challenge in equal measure, and are encouraged to recognise their strengths, overcome obstacles and believe in what they can become. This is a rare opportunity to help guide The Ladder School into its next chapter;

shaping the future of a school that makes a meaningful difference every day. You will work alongside a team united by its commitment to young people, families and lasting transformation. At a school where every day brings fresh challenges and fresh rewards, as Deputy Headteacher you will lead with ambition, determination and honesty – you will embody our Mercian Trust values – that we care, we are courageous, we are candid, and we are accountable.

These values underpin our Trust-wide social mobility and social justice mission to increase opportunities and improve outcomes – especially for those who are disadvantaged, have special educational needs or disabilities, or are more likely to face discrimination. The Ladder School is more than just a school building with its staff, students and families – it is a strategic approach for redefining alternative provision - both across our twelve Mercian Trust schools, and wider, across all the communities we serve in the towns of the Black Country.

You will bring significant experience of school leadership – whether that is in the Alternative Provision, SEND, or other atypical school sector, or within mainstream schools. The key skillset we are looking for is the drive, energy and innovation to be a key member of the leadership team of a truly remarkable school and continue its journey to redefine alternative provision.

• A crucial leadership role in our forward-thinking Alternative Provision school
• Join us at a crucial stage of our social mobility mission
• A competitive salary in range L14-18 (Pay Award Pending)
• To start January 2027, or earlier by negotiation

As one Trust we share a common purpose. We call it our social mobility and social justice mission to change our communities through the very best equitable education. When we get this right, it enables our children and young people to fulfil their potential, thrive in the world of work, and make a positive contribution to the local, national and international community.

Our recent achievements include:

Sustainable Growth - becoming one of the largest and most diverse trusts in the region

Social Mobility & Social Justice
- National recognition for the Trust’s two selective grammar schools who the most successful on the number of local disadvantaged students passing the entrance and joining the schools

Increasing Opportunities – Opening…