Deputy Headteacher

Outcomes First Group; Chesterfield; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization as a Deputy Headteacher at a new school dedicated to providing quality education for pupils with complex needs. This role emphasizes a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students while ensuring high educational standards. With the innovative trial of a 4-Day Working Week, you can enjoy a better work-life balance while making a significant impact on the lives of vulnerable young people. The school, set to open in January 2026, offers a supportive environment and a chance to lead a dedicated team in a co-educational setting. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of education for those who need it most.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Cycle to Work Schemes

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Critical illness cover

Qualifications

• Experience teaching pupils with complex needs and managing staff.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding procedures and principles.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality education service in line with company policies.
• Act as overall curriculum coordinator and monitor student progress.

Skills

Teaching pupils with SEMH needs

Managing staff

Budget management

Education

Degree and QTS

Job description

At OFG, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing what makes you happy!

How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four?

Our colleagues' wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we're always looking for new ways to improve everyone's work/life balance. We're taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).

If the trial is a success, we'll be rolling the 4DWW out across the Group - so there's never been a more exciting time to join!

We are looking for a Deputy Headteacher to join our new Acorn Education School - Bluebank School in Whittington Moor, Derbyshire. The school will have capacity for 60 pupils ages 5-18 years old and is due to open January 2026.

The school will be a co-educational provision for pupils with complex needs including SEMH.

Acorn Education is the UK's leading independent provider of specialist education for vulnerable pupils and young people. 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.

• Up to GBP55,000 per annum, depending on experience (not pro rata)
• Monday to Friday
• January 2026 start
• Term Time only
• Permanent

About the role

To provide a high-quality education service for our students in accordance with Company policies, procedures and practices and the standards set by the Regulatory Body. To work with the Head Teacher, leadership team and other stakeholders to secure high standards throughout the school.

Key Task Areas and Responsibilities

• To comply with good safeguarding procedures and principles as detailed by the local safeguarding board
• To participate in the process of assessment of referrals
• To act as overall curriculum coordinator and manager across the school
• To act as the lead teacher for the positive support of behaviour that may challenge
• To work as a key member of the multi-disciplinary team which encompasses education, residential care and the clinical team
• To monitor progress and targets to ensure that each individual student can achieve planned outcomes

Essential criteria

• Relevant experience of teaching pupils and young people with SEMH needs and/or challenging behaviours
• Relevant experience of teaching pupils and young people with complex needs
• Experience of managing staff
• Managing budgets effectively and ensuring cost efficiency
• Degree and QTS

Why join Acorn Education?

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the fifth year running.

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

And 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

And that's not all, 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.

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