Assistant Headteacher - Pastoral and Personal Development

Outcomes First Group; Burton upon Trent; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational organization in Burton upon Trent seeks an Assistant Headteacher for Pastoral & Personal Development. The role emphasizes leading pastoral strategies, safeguarding, and promoting wellbeing within a supportive environment. Key qualifications include strategic thinking and experience with SEND/SEMH needs. The position offers a 4-day work week while maintaining full-time pay and a range of employee benefits.

Benefits

Pay at 80% of contractual hours for 100% of pay

Life Assurance and pension scheme

Wellbeing support packages

Flexible Benefits Platform

Family Growth Support

Qualifications

• Proven understanding of pastoral and behaviour systems.
• Dynamic, positive, and supportive of young people.
• Strong communicator and emotionally intelligent.

Responsibilities

• Lead pastoral vision and culture of care.
• Oversee safeguarding and pupil welfare.
• Drive attendance and engagement initiatives.
• Coach and develop middle leaders.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Calm under pressure

Experienced in SEND and SEMH support

Emotional intelligence

Data-driven decision making

Passionate about inclusion

Job description

Assistant Headteacher – Pastoral & Personal Development

As Assistant Headteacher - Pastoral & Personal Development you will be at the heart of shaping the ethos, wellbeing, and behaviour culture of our school. Working as part of our dynamic Senior Leadership Team, you will partner with the Headteacher and Deputy Head to ensure that every pupil thrives socially, emotionally and academically. You will lead on key areas such as pastoral strategy, behaviour systems, safeguarding and wellbeing, helping to create a supportive, trauma‑informed environment that empowers students to achieve and belong.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and shape the pastoral vision, embedding a culture of care, respect and high expectations.
• Champion pupil transition, ensuring every student’s journey into school life is smooth, supported and celebrated.
• Oversee safeguarding, taking proactive responsibility for the welfare and protection of all pupils.
• Drive attendance and engagement, using data and insight to build early intervention strategies.
• Promote inclusive practice, ensuring every staff member is equipped to meet the needs of pupils with SEND and SEMH challenges.
• Model excellence, creating a school ethos where wellbeing, behaviour and learning thrive together.
• Be a visible and consistent leader, modelling high expectations across the school community.
• Analyse key data (attendance, behaviour, exclusions) and turn insights into tangible improvement.
• Coach and develop middle leaders, empowering them to grow in confidence and effectiveness.
• Chair key meetings and initiatives that strengthen whole‑school development.
• Collaborate with families, external agencies and partners to create joined‑up pastoral support.
• Deliver impactful staff training and CPD that embeds inclusive and trauma‑informed practice.
• Teach up to 10 lessons per week, maintaining direct relationships with pupils and providing authentic classroom experience.

Qualifications & Experience

• Strategic thinker with a proven understanding of pastoral and behaviour systems.
• Calm under pressure, dynamic, positive and full of belief in young people.
• Experienced in supporting pupils with SEND and SEMH needs.
• Emotionally intelligent, empathetic and a strong communicator.
• Confident using data to drive improvement and inform decisions.
• Passionate advocate for inclusion, wellbeing and continuous school development.

About the School and Working Arrangements

Options Trent Acres School is currently undergoing development, expanding pupil numbers from 30 to 60 and obtaining approval to open an Early Years Unit and extend our Primary provision. The school offers specialist outdoor activities including riding, horse and donkey care, and an outdoor gymnasium. It serves families in Stoke, Derby, Telford, Stafford, Lichfield, Burntwood, Rugeley, Burton‑on‑Trent, Tamworth, Uttoxeter and surrounding towns.

We offer a 4‑Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, giving staff one day less each week while maintaining full-time pay.

Benefits & Working Life

• Pay at 80% of contractual hours for 100% of pay.
• Life Assurance and a pension scheme with investment options.
• Wellbeing support packages, mental health services and physical health checks.
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista) including health, insurance, discount schemes, Cycle to Work, Electric Car Purchase and critical illness cover.
• Family Growth Support with enhanced maternity, paternity and paid fertility treatment.

Legal and Recruitment Information

Our service is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful candidates to a fully enhanced DBS.

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