Headteacher

Outcomes First Group; Bradford; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Your Wellbeing Matters—health support

Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista)

Discounts

Cycle to Work Scheme

Critical illness cover

Family Growth Support

Job summary

Bradford Beacon School, part of Outcomes First Group, seeks an ambitious Headteacher to shape vision, culture, and strategic direction for pupils aged 4–11 with autism and complex needs.

You’ll provide inspirational leadership, drive outstanding outcomes, and foster a nurturing, inclusive environment. The role reports within a specialist setting that transforms lives across a broader educational and therapeutic framework.

Qualifications

• QTS/PGCE or equivalent required.
• Experience in SEND or specialist education desirable.
• Committed to safeguarding, inclusion, and high-quality provision.

Responsibilities

• Deliver outstanding outcomes for children and young people through a needs-led curriculum.
• Ensure robust assessment, tracking and evidence of progress across academic and personal development.
• Lead and embed high-quality teaching that drives effective learning and meaningful qualifications.
• Implement strategies that improve behaviour, engagement and attendance.
• Integrate therapeutic approaches into the educational experience.
• Promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development through positive, enriching experiences.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with pupils, parents, carers, local authorities and stakeholders.
• Establish systems that monitor and elevate teaching standards across the school.
• Create and maintain a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment for pupils and staff.
• Ensure full compliance with safeguarding, health & safety and statutory requirements.
• Recruit, develop and inspire a motivated, high-performing staff team.
• Drive the school’s commercial success, including occupancy, cost control and referral management.
• Lead strategic planning, school improvement, and a culture of continuous development.
• Communicate progress clearly to parents, local authorities, Ofsted and internal stakeholders.
• Act as an ambassador for Outcomes First Group, contributing to regional and national initiatives.

Skills

Strategic leadership

School improvement

Safeguarding

Budget management

Staff development

Stakeholder communication

Education

QTS/PGCE or equivalent

Job description

We work smarter so that you can enjoy the things that matter outside of work

Location: Bradford Beacon School, Rooley Lane, Bradford, BD5 8LJ

Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday - Friday

Salary: Up to £85,000 per annum (depending on experience, not pro rata)

Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only

UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

AtBradford Beacon School, we're looking for an exceptional and ambitious leader to drive our next chapter of success. As Headteacher, you'll shape the vision, culture and strategic direction of the school, creating an environment where pupils thrive, staff flourish and excellence becomes the standard.

If you're a passionate educational leader who believes every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their starting point, this could be the career-defining opportunity you've been waiting for.

As Headteacher, you'll provide inspirational leadership across every aspect of school life, ensuring outstanding educational experiences, exceptional pupil outcomes and a culture built on ambition, inclusion and high expectations.

Working within the Outcomes First Group family, you'll have the opportunity to lead a talented team, influence strategic direction and drive innovation within a specialist setting that genuinely transforms lives.

You'll be responsible for creating an environment where pupils feel safe, valued and empowered to achieve more than they ever thought possible.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Deliver outstanding outcomes for children and young people through a highly engaging, needs‑led curriculum.
• Ensure robust assessment, tracking and evidence of progress across academic and personal development.
• Lead and embed high‑quality teaching that drives effective learning and meaningful qualifications.
• Implement strategies that improve behaviour, engagement and attendance.
• Integrate therapeutic approaches into the educational experience.
• Promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development through positive, enriching experiences.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with pupils, parents, carers, local authorities and stakeholders.
• Establish systems that monitor and elevate teaching standards across the school.
• Create and maintain a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment for pupils and staff.
• Ensure full compliance with safeguarding, health & safety and statutory requirements.
• Recruit, develop and inspire a motivated, high‑performing staff team.
• Drive the school’s commercial success, including occupancy, cost control and referral management.
• Lead strategic planning, school improvement, and a culture of continuous development.
• Communicate progress clearly to parents, local authorities, Ofsted and internal stakeholders.
• Act as an ambassador for Outcomes First Group, contributing to regional and national initiatives.

What We’re Looking For

• QTS/ PGCE or equivalent required
• Skilled in strategic planning, operational management, and school improvement
• Experienced in SEND or specialist education (desirable but not essential)
• Committed to safeguarding, inclusion, and high‑quality provision
• Able to inspire, motivate, and develop staff
• Confident in managing budgets, resources, and commercial priorities
• Driven by values, integrity, and a relentless pursuit of excellence

About Us

Bradford Beacon School, opened in September 2025, is a brand-new specialist independent school for children aged 4–11 with autism and associated complex needs. Set in a purpose-built, thoughtfully refurbished environment, the school provides a safe, nurturing, and inclusive setting where every child feels valued. Pupils follow a broad, enriched curriculum that develops communication, social, emotional, and life skills alongside academic achievement. With personalised teaching and therapeutic support from a dedicated staff and clinical team, every child’s individual needs are met. As the school grows to 42 pupils over the next two years, there is an exciting opportunity to help shape its inclusive, supportive culture. Bradford Beacon celebrates every step of progress, empowering pupils to reach their full potential and thrive.

For over 19 years, Options Autism has provided specialist care and education for children, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are pioneering innovative, evidence-based approaches that deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for everyone in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils 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 pupils 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

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

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales