Deputy Headteacher (Behaviour and Attitudes)

The Holden School; Plank Lane; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist educational institution in the UK seeks a Deputy Headteacher to lead on behaviour and attitudes in a school for pupils with social, emotional, and mental health challenges. The ideal candidate will have Qualified Teacher Status, experience with SEMH and ASC pupils, and proven leadership skills. This role involves fostering a positive environment and collaboration among staff while ensuring high expectations for all students. Offering a competitive salary and substantial benefits, this position is ideal for a passionate educational leader.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Wellbeing support services

Health benefits

Discount options

Cycle to Work Schemes

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Critical illness cover

Family Growth Support

Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status and a degree are essential.
• Experience with pupils with SEMH and ASC is required.
• Proven leadership and management experience within a school is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead on behaviour and attitudes aligned with the school's vision.
• Set and uphold high expectations for everyone.
• Embed a school ethos promoting collaboration and success.

Skills

Leadership

Behaviour management

Safeguarding

Collaboration

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

Degree

Job description

Job Details

• 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
• Eligibility: 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 practices. 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

• 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.

Qualifications & Experience

• Qualified Teacher Status and a degree.
• Experience working with pupils with SEMH and ASC.
• Professional development preparing for a senior leadership role.
• Proven leadership and management experience within a school, preferably 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 practices.

About the School

The Holden School is an independent specialist day school for boys and girls aged from 5 to 16, catering for pupils with a wide range of needs in Lancashire, Manchester, and surrounding areas. Our dedicated team work together to ensure successful outcomes for pupils who often arrive at the school with a troubled view of education and life. We are a Therapeutic‑Led, Trauma‑Informed School providing individualised curriculums for our students supported by our Class Teams, our Pastoral Team and our own Therapists.

About the Employer

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. In 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running. 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.

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 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.

Other Information

The role is subject to a trial 4‑Day Working Week, which will be awarded to staff who meet probationary requirements and are successful; it is not a contractual benefit. You will work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. The vacancy can be closed early if a high volume of suitable applications is received.