Assistant Headteacher – Key Stage 4

Acorn Care and Education; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist education provider located in Maidstone is looking for an experienced Assistant Headteacher (Key Stage 4) to lead the operation of the KS4 Centre. You will be responsible for high-quality teaching, staff development, and the welfare of students. The ideal candidate will possess Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a commitment to inclusivity and safeguarding. This full-time, permanent position follows a 4-Day Working Week model, and the salary is up to £50,000 per annum. Join a team dedicated to making a positive impact on young people's lives.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Health and wellbeing benefits

Discounts valid in the UK and abroad

Cycle to Work Schemes

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Critical illness cover

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the daily operation of the KS4 Centre.
• Model high-quality teaching practice and support staff development.
• Oversee the delivery of personalised learning for students.
• Monitor academic progress, safeguarding, and wellbeing.
• Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead for Key Stage 4.
• Contribute to the strategic development of Key Stage 4 provision.

Education

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Job description

How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four? At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first.

That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay.

Our school will adopt the 4DWW once we have a full team in place — and with the rollout already underway across the wider Group, now is the perfect time to join #teamOFG.

Job Title: Assistant Headteacher – Key Stage 4
Location: Heath Farm College, Maidstone, ME16 0ER
Salary: Up to £50,000.00 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start: January 2026
UK applicants only – this role does not offer sponsorship

About the Role

The Assistant Headteacher (KS4) will hold strategic and operational responsibility for the effective running of the Heath Farm College Key Stage 4 Centre and will serve as a key member of the College Senior Leadership Team. The postholder will uphold and model the College’s core values of Love, Commitment and Opportunity, ensuring that high standards of provision, behaviour, welfare and achievement are consistently maintained.

The role includes direct responsibility for the welfare, education and day‑to‑day oversight of a small cohort of Year 10 and Year 11 students. The Assistant Headteacher will lead high‑quality teaching and learning, support staff development, and ensure that the needs of students with diverse and complex profiles are met effectively in line with statutory requirements and College expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the daily operation of the KS4 Centre, ensuring a safe, calm, and purposeful learning environment that upholds the College’s high standards of provision, behaviour, welfare, and achievement.
• Model high‑quality teaching practice, support staff development, and hold teachers and Learning Support Assistants accountable to ensure academic, social, and personal progress for all students.
• Oversee the delivery of personalised learning, ensuring that all students’ needs are met in line with their Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), and coordinate multi‑agency engagement, reviews, and planning.
• Monitor academic progress, safeguarding, and wellbeing to secure effective learning outcomes and successful progression into post‑16 destinations.
• Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for Key Stage 4, maintaining accurate records and promoting a culture of safety and pastoral care across the Centre.
• Contribute to the strategic development of Key Stage 4 provision and the wider Senior Leadership Team initiatives, supporting the Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher in delivering whole‑College priorities.

Qualifications Required

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

About Us

Heath Farm College is an independent specialist sixth form college that caters for young people with social, emotional and mental health needs. We offer a unique and stimulating environment where every student is able to make outstanding progress in their personal development and enjoy success in their education.

Heath Farm College is situated in Maidstone and has capacity to support up to 58 students. The provision facilitates a professional post 16 provision for students with EHCPs who are not ready for a large FE college or large school/academy 6th Form provision.

We are part of Acorn Education and can offer plenty of challenges along with a wide range of opportunities to develop your career. Acorn Education is the UK’s leading provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in creating and delivering innovative approaches that achieve measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth 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.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• 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 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.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.