Assistant Headteacher

Outcomes First Group; Grove; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational provider in Grove, UK, seeks a dynamic Assistant Headteacher. This role involves driving curriculum innovation, fostering staff development, and ensuring a positive environment for pupils with SEMH challenges. Ideal candidates will have QTS, substantial leadership experience, and a commitment to inclusion and pupil well-being. Join a community where leadership transforms lives and contribute to a fulfilling educational experience.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Flexible Benefits Platform

Cycle to Work Schemes

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Critical illness cover

Family Growth Support

Qualifications

• Proven experience in senior or middle leadership roles within education.
• A successful track record of raising pupil outcomes and enhancing teaching quality.
• Outstanding classroom practitioner across multiple key stages.

Responsibilities

• Design and improve a high-quality, engaging curriculum for pupils with SEMH challenges.
• Implement assessment strategies for pupil progress monitoring.
• Lead behaviour management policies to ensure a positive learning environment.
• Manage staff performance and professional development initiatives.
• Build strong community partnerships and act as an ambassador for the school.
• Contribute to strategic leadership and decision-making at senior levels.

Skills

Visionary leadership

Exceptional communication

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Commitment to inclusion

Motivation of teams

Education

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent

Full UK Driving Licence

Job description

New Barn School, part of Acorn Education, is seeking a dynamic, compassionate Assistant Headteacher to join our close‑knit, thriving community. This is your chance to shape the future of a school dedicated to nurturing the academic, social and emotional success of every pupil – especially those with SEMH challenges. If you’re a visionary leader who thrives on innovation, collaboration, and making a tangible difference, we want to hear from you! Join a school where your leadership truly transforms lives.

About the Role

As Assistant Headteacher, you’ll be a driving force behind excellence in curriculum, assessment, behaviour and pastoral care. Working side‑by‑side with the Headteacher, you’ll shape strategy, inspire staff and create a vibrant, inclusive environment where all learners can flourish.

Responsibilities

• Lead Curriculum Innovation: Design, develop and continuously improve a high‑quality, engaging curriculum that meets the diverse needs of pupils with SEMH challenges, ensuring alignment with national standards and best practices. You will oversee curriculum delivery, promote consistency and ensure learning progression across all key stages.
• Drive Assessment & Progress Monitoring: Implement robust assessment strategies that provide meaningful insight into pupil progress. Use data to identify gaps, celebrate achievements and support staff in tailoring teaching to maximise learner outcomes. You will hold teams accountable for pupil achievement and help set ambitious, realistic targets.
• Champion Behaviour & Pastoral Care: Lead on behaviour management policies that foster a positive, respectful and safe learning environment. Support the pastoral team to ensure pupils’ emotional wellbeing and social development are prioritised, working closely with families and external agencies to create personalised support plans.
• Develop & Inspire Staff: Take a proactive role in staff performance management, professional development and coaching. Cultivate a culture of continuous learning, collaboration and innovation among teaching and support staff, enabling them to reach their full potential and deliver outstanding education.
• Strengthen Community Partnerships: Build and nurture strong relationships with pupils, families, external agencies and local partners. Act as an ambassador for the school, enhancing its reputation as a centre of excellence for SEMH education and expanding opportunities for pupils beyond the classroom.
• Strategic Leadership: Contribute to whole‑school planning and decision‑making at senior leadership level. Support the Headteacher in articulating the school’s vision, setting strategic priorities and driving improvement initiatives that ensure sustainable growth and excellence.
• Safeguarding & Compliance: Take a leadership role in safeguarding practices, health and safety and statutory compliance, ensuring all policies are rigorously implemented to protect and promote pupil welfare.

Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent
• Full UK Driving Licence
• Proven experience in senior or middle leadership roles within education
• A successful track record of raising pupil outcomes and enhancing teaching quality
• Outstanding classroom practitioner across multiple key stages
• Exceptional communication, organisational and interpersonal skills
• Deep commitment to inclusion, safeguarding and pupil wellbeing
• An inspirational leader who motivates and empowers teams to excel

New Barn School offers a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum to boys and girls aged 6–19 who have Social, Emotional and Mental Health complexities.

New Barn School takes full advantage of its beautiful settings and fosters a love for using the outdoor curriculum including forest school, farm experiences and horse riding. The School is within a commutable distance of Swindon, Oxford, Andover, Basingstoke and Reading and other surrounding towns and villages. Our services offer a stable, secure and supportive environment, in which the pupils and young people we care for can develop the skills and confidence necessary to help them fulfil their potential. Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care. We are proud to say that in 2024 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a Great Place to Work for the fifth year running.

Why join Acorn Education? We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Wantage, Oxfordshire – Up to £53k per annum depending on experience. Full Time.

Benefits

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• Your Wellbeing Matters – access to a wide range of first‑class mental health support services and physical health checks
• A market‑leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
• A wide range of health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support – inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support

At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance and are proud to be part of a 4‑Day Working Week trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours) while still receiving your full time pay. Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW – and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. Whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join.