Deputy Headteacher - Quality of Education

Acorn Care and Education; Leigh; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Leigh is seeking an exceptional Deputy Headteacher - Quality of Education to join their senior leadership team. This role involves providing strategic and operational leadership, focusing on curriculum leadership and behaviour support. Candidates should have experience in teaching children with complex needs, demonstrate strong leadership skills, and possess a teaching qualification. The position offers a salary up to £60,000 and a commitment to work/life balance through a 4-Day working week.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Cycle to Work Schemes

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing and developing staff.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding and regulatory requirements.
• Willingness to undertake further training as required.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across the school.
• Lead on positive behaviour support.
• Monitor pupil progress and targets.

Skills

Experience teaching children and young people with autism

Strong leadership and people‑management skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Strong organisational, IT and time‑management skills

Education

Degree and 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: Deputy Headteacher - Quality of Education

Location: The Holden School, Leigh WN7 4SB

Salary: Up to £60,000.00 per annum depending on experience (not pro rata)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only

Start Date: January 2026

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

The Holden School is seeking an exceptional Deputy Headteacher – Quality of Education to join our senior leadership team and play a pivotal role in delivering outstanding education for children and young people with complex needs.

Working in close partnership with the Headteacher, you will help lead a supportive, inclusive and high‑performing school community—driving excellence in teaching, learning and behaviour support, while ensuring every pupil is supported to achieve their full potential.

This is a rewarding leadership opportunity for an experienced, resilient and values‑driven professional who is passionate about inclusive education and collaborative, multi‑disciplinary working.

About the Role

As Deputy Headteacher at The Holden School, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across the school, with a clear focus on curriculum leadership, quality of education and positive behaviour support.

You will be a key member of the multi‑disciplinary team, working closely with education, residential and clinical colleagues to ensure a joined‑up approach that delivers the best possible outcomes for pupils. You will model outstanding practice, inspire staff and build strong, effective relationships with families, professionals and regulatory bodies.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team to secure high standards across all aspects of school life
• Act as overall curriculum lead, ensuring coherence, quality and progression across the school
• Lead on positive behaviour support, including oversight of Behaviour Support Plans in collaboration with the clinical team
• Monitor pupil progress and targets to ensure individual outcomes are achieved
• Participate in referral assessments and placement decision‑making
• Work as a core member of the multi‑disciplinary team, linking education, care and clinical provision
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding procedures, SEND Code of Practice and relevant legislation
• Maintain effective partnerships with families, carers, external professionals and partner organisations
• Model and promote high‑quality practice in teaching, assessment and behaviour support
• Undertake agreed teaching responsibilities

Staff Leadership and Management

• Support recruitment, induction, training and professional development of staff
• Line manage staff through supervisions, appraisals, probation reviews and wellbeing processes
• Delegate responsibilities appropriately and support staff to meet expectations
• Promote and embed company values, policies and regulatory standards across the team
• Deputise for the Headteacher and represent the school as required

This role is suited to an experienced, resilient and collaborative leader who is committed to inclusive practice and improving outcomes for pupils with additional and complex needs.

Who we are looking for

• Experience teaching children and young people with autism, complex needs and/or challenging behaviour
• Experience leading on the quality of education
• Knowledge of Ofsted frameworks and inspection processes
• Proven experience managing and developing staff
• Experience managing budgets and resources effectively
• Strong leadership and people‑management skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organisational, IT and time‑management skills
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding and regulatory requirements
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Degree and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• Relevant sector qualifications
• Willingness to undertake further training as required
• Full UK Driving Licence
• Strong commitment to company values and inclusive education

About Us

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.

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
• 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