Deputy Heateacher

Outcomes First Group; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Pension

Your Wellbeing Matters - mental health

Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista)

Health, wellbeing and insurance

Discounts (UK & international)

Cycle to Work Scheme

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Critical illness cover

Family Growth Support, enhanced leave

Job summary

Willow Park School in Milton Keynes seeks a Deputy Headteacher to join our leadership team, supporting strategic and operational leadership and driving high-quality education and safeguarding for students with SEMH needs.

Working with the Headteacher, you will lead curriculum development, staff coaching and partnerships with families and external agencies to improve outcomes and support inclusive, trauma-informed practices.

Qualifications

• QTS and PGCE are required.
• Significant experience with SEMH, autism or complex SEND.
• Proven leadership improving practice and outcomes.
• Strong safeguarding, EHCPs and inclusive education knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Support whole-school improvement and strategic development.
• Lead teaching, learning, assessment and curriculum development.
• Monitor student progress and educational outcomes.
• Collaborate with SENCO and clinical teams on EHCP provision.
• Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL).
• Promote wellbeing and trauma-informed practice.
• Line manage, coach and develop staff.
• Build partnerships with families, local authorities and external agencies.
• Support compliance, operational effectiveness and inspection readiness.

Skills

Strategic leadership

SEN/SEND knowledge

Safeguarding expertise

Staff development

Trauma-informed practice

Communication skills

Relationship building

Education

QTS

PGCE

Job description

We are seeking an exceptional Deputy Headteacher to join our leadership team and help create a culture where every student can Belong, Commit and Achieve. Working closely with the Headteacher, you will support the strategic and operational leadership of the school, driving high-quality education, safeguarding, staff development and student outcomes. You'll play a key role in creating a safe, nurturing and ambitious environment for students with SEMH needs, autism and associated complexities. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and passionate leader who believes in inclusive, trauma-informed education and is committed to helping every student reach their full potential.

What you'll do

• Supporting whole-school improvement and strategic development.
• Leading high-quality teaching, learning, assessment and curriculum development.
• Monitoring student progress and ensuring strong educational outcomes.
• Working with the SENCO and clinical teams to align EHCP provision and support.
• Acting as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL).
• Promoting positive behaviour, wellbeing and trauma-informed practice.
• Line managing, coaching and developing staff.
• Building strong partnerships with families, local authorities and external agencies.
• Supporting compliance, operational effectiveness and inspection readiness.
• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and PGCE required.
• Significant experience working with students with SEMH, autism and/or complex SEND.
• Successful leadership experience with evidence of improving practice and outcomes.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, SEND, EHCPs and inclusive education.
• Experience of assessment, progress tracking and school improvement.
• Excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills.
• A commitment to pupil wellbeing, staff development and achieving the best outcomes for every student.

Willow Park School is a brand-new specialist school in Milton Keynes for young people aged 9-16 with a range of complex needs. Our aim is simple: to equip every child with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to succeed in the future. Through a therapeutic educational approach, supported by specialist facilities and an experienced team, we help students with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH), communication, interaction, and associated challenging behaviours to flourish in a safe and nurturing environment.

At Outcomes First Schools, we provide specialist education for learners who need a deeper level of understanding, expertise and support than mainstream education can typically offer. We support students with a wide range of complex, co-occurring and neurodivergent needs, including autism, ADHD, SEMH, speech and communication needs, dyslexia and experiences of trauma or adversity. We are proud to be a part of OFG Education who in 2025 were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the sixth year running.

We place students and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" - mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
• Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
• Hundreds of UK and international discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support