Assistant Headteacher

Outcomes First Group; Strood Green; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Wellbeing support

Flexible benefits

Job summary

New Barn School, part of Options Autism and Outcomes First Schools, is seeking an ambitious Assistant Headteacher to join the Senior Leadership Team. You will work with the Headteacher to shape school improvement, develop an ambitious curriculum for SEMH and complex needs, and drive student outcomes through data-informed practice.

You will lead with empathy, coach colleagues, and foster safeguarding, inclusion and wellbeing, while building partnerships with families and external professionals to

Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent.
• Proven middle or senior leadership experience within an educational setting.
• Strong track record of raising standards and improving student outcomes.
• Excellent classroom practice and experience teaching across multiple key stages.
• Ability to inspire, coach and develop colleagues while driving improvement.
• Strong communication, organisational and people leadership skills.
• Genuine commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and student wellbeing.
• Full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside the Headteacher to drive strategic direction, development and continuous improvement of the school.
• Lead the development of an ambitious, engaging and personalised curriculum for students with SEMH and complex needs.
• Use assessment, evidence and data to strengthen student progress, achievement and outcomes.
• Champion safeguarding, inclusion and student wellbeing across all aspects of school life.
• Coach, mentor and develop colleagues, promoting high-quality teaching and a culture of professional growth.
• Provide visible and confident leadership, setting high expectations for students and colleagues.
• Build strong partnerships with families, external professionals and the wider community to create the best possible opportunities for students.
• Champion safeguarding, inclusion and student wellbeing.

Skills

Leadership

Curriculum development

Coaching

Communication

People leadership

Safeguarding

Inclusion

Driving licence

Education

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent

Job description

As New Barn School continues to grow, we're looking for an ambitious and inspirational Assistant Headteacher to join our Senior Leadership Team and help shape the next chapter of our school. This is an opportunity to have genuine influence. Working closely with the Headteacher, you'll help drive school improvement, strengthen teaching and learning and create an ambitious curriculum that enables students with SEMH and complex needs to achieve meaningful and lasting outcomes. Your leadership will be visible across the school. You'll inspire and develop colleagues, champion high expectations and ensure students experience an environment where they feel safe, understood and encouraged to recognise what they can achieve. For an experienced middle or senior leader ready for greater responsibility, this is an opportunity to combine strategic influence with hands‑on educational leadership and make an impact that can be seen every day.

• Work alongside the Headteacher to drive the strategic direction, development and continuous improvement of the school
• Lead the development of an ambitious, engaging and personalised curriculum for students with SEMH and complex needs
• Use assessment, evidence and data to strengthen student progress, achievement and outcomes
• Champion positive behaviour, wellbeing and pastoral practice, helping create a calm, consistent and nurturing school culture
• Coach, mentor and develop colleagues, promoting high-quality teaching and a culture of professional growth
• Provide visible and confident leadership, setting high expectations for students and colleagues
• Build strong partnerships with families, external professionals and the wider community to create the best possible opportunities for students
• Champion safeguarding, inclusion and student wellbeing across all aspects of school life
  We're looking for a leader who combines ambition with empathy and understands how strong relationships, high expectations and excellent teaching can transform a young person's experience of education., Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent
• Proven middle or senior leadership experience within an educational setting
• A strong track record of raising standards and improving student outcomes
• Excellent classroom practice and experience teaching across multiple key stages
• The ability to inspire, coach and develop colleagues while driving improvement
• Strong communication, organisational and people leadership skills
• A genuine commitment to supporting students with additional needs to achieve their potential
• A clear commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and student wellbeing
• A full UK driving licence
  New Barn School, part of Options Autism, provides inclusive, nurturing education for autistic children and young people with complex needs across three sites. We deliver personalised learning, therapeutic support, and vocational opportunities tailored to each pupil's Education, Health and Care Plan. Pupils learn in small, supportive settings that promote confidence, independence, and emotional wellbeing. Built on strong partnerships with families, New Barn empowers every learner to thrive and prepare for life beyond school.
• At Outcomes First Schools, we provide specialist education for learners who need a deeper level of understanding, expertise and support than mainstream education can typically offer. We support students with a wide range of complex, co-occurring and neurodivergent needs, including autism, ADHD, SEMH, speech and communication needs, dyslexia and experiences of trauma or adversity. We are proud to be a part of OFG Education who in 2025 were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the sixth year running.
• We place students and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" - mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
• Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
• Hundreds of UK and international discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support