Deputy Headteacher (Behaviour and Attitudes)

Acorn Care and Education; Leigh; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational organization in the United Kingdom is looking for a Deputy Headteacher for The Holden School. This pivotal role focuses on supporting pupils with social, emotional, and mental health difficulties by shaping a positive learning environment. Responsibilities include leading on behaviour and attitudes, and collaborating with the leadership team. Ideal candidates will have Qualified Teacher Status, a degree, and experience in special educational needs. This position offers a competitive salary of up to £55,000 and benefits including a life assurance and flexible wellbeing support.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Cycle to Work Schemes

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status and Degree.
• Experience working with pupils with SEMH and ASC.
• Professional development for senior leadership roles.

Responsibilities

• Lead behaviour and attitudes aligned with the school’s vision.
• Contribute to SLT discussions on educational developments.
• Set high expectations for pupils, staff, and parents.
• Foster a collaborative school ethos.

Skills

Qualified Teacher Status

Experience in SEMH and ASC

Leadership and management experience

Understanding of behaviour management

Education

Degree in Education

Job description

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 #teamOFG!

Job Title: Deputy Headteacher

Location: The Holden School, Leigh WN7 4SB

Salary: Up to £55,000.00 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 Deputy Head Teacher (Behaviour and Attitudes) at The Holden School plays a pivotal leadership role within this Special School setting, which caters to pupils with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) difficulties. This role is critical in shaping and sustaining a positive, safe, and predictable environment that supports pupils’ social, emotional, and academic development. The Deputy Head Teacher will lead strategically on behaviour and attitudes, ensuring these align with the school’s vision of enabling pupils who have previously struggled to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.

Working closely with the Head Teacher, Senior Leadership Team (SLT), clinical staff, and wider school community, the Deputy Head will promote high expectations, implement innovative behaviour support strategies, and maintain strong safeguarding practises. The role demands a commitment to collaboration, inclusivity, and continuous improvement, consistent with The Holden School’s values of holistic pupil development, therapeutic integration, and family engagement.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Lead strategically on behaviour and attitudes under the direction of the Head Teacher, ensuring alignment with the school’s vision and ethos.
• Contribute actively to SLT discussions, including broader educational developments beyond immediate school concerns.
• Set and uphold high expectations for pupils, staff, and parents, challenging any low expectations and promoting a culture of excellence.
• Develop and embed a school ethos that fosters collaboration, knowledge‑sharing, accountability, and celebration of success.

Skills and Competencies

• Qualified Teacher Status and Degree.
• Experience in working pupils with SEMH and ASC.
• Professional development in preparation for a senior leadership role.
• Proven leadership and management experience within a school, preferably with experience in Special Schools or SEMH settings.
• Experience in school self‑evaluation, development planning, and line management.
• Strong understanding of behaviour management, safeguarding, attendance, and pastoral care best practises.

Why join Acorn Education

We place the outcomes of the pupils 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. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

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.

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

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit.