Headteacher

Outcomes First Group; City Of London; On-site; GBP 95,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education organization in the United Kingdom seeks a Headteacher to establish a specialist school for children with SEMH and Autism. This role involves shaping the school from the ground up, embedding therapeutic practices, and inspiring a team to cultivate a nurturing environment. Qualified candidates should have experience in SEN leadership, trauma-informed practices, and strong knowledge of relevant frameworks. The position offers a competitive salary and a commitment to work-life balance through a 4-day workweek.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Wellbeing support services

Cycle to Work Scheme

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Qualifications

• Experienced Headteacher or Deputy Head within SEN, SEMH, specialist or alternative provision.
• Deep understanding of trauma-informed practice and behaviour as communication.
• Clear knowledge of Ofsted frameworks for specialist settings.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and clear vision for a specialist SEMH/Autism school.
• Develop a trauma-informed, nurturing and ambitious environment.
• Recruit, inspire and develop a highly skilled staff team.

Skills

Trauma-informed practice

SEN leadership experience

Budget management

Behaviour management

Inclusive education

Education

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS/QTLS)

Job description

Headteacher - New Specialist SEMH & Autism School

Greater London - commutable from a wide range of London boroughs and surrounding Home Counties.

Salary: £95,000 - £110,000 per annum (dependent on experience and qualifications, not pro rata). Contract: Permanent Term Time Only. Hours: Monday-Friday. Start: January 2026. UK Applicants Only – this role does not offer sponsorship.

How would you like to get paid for five days but only work four?

At Outcomes First Group, we believe great leadership happens when people have the time, space and wellbeing to do their best work. That’s why we are proud to be part of the 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial – giving you the opportunity to work one day less each week (or equivalent hours) while receiving full-time pay.

Many of our schools already operate the 4DWW; others will adopt it as staffing grows. Whichever setting you join, you’ll be part of a culture that values balance just as much as impact.

There has never been a better time to join.

The Opportunity

We are opening a brand-new, specialist school for children and young people with SEMH, Autism and associated needs – and we are looking for an exceptional Headteacher to bring it to life.

• Shape a school from the ground up
• Embed therapeutic, trauma-informed practice from day one
• Build a culture where wellbeing, safety and progress sit at the heart of everything
• Lead and inspire a talented multidisciplinary team
• Create a place where pupils who may have struggled elsewhere can belong, thrive and succeed

If you are driven by impact and excited by the idea of building something meaningful, this role offers true legacy.

What You’ll Do

• Provide strategic leadership and clear vision for a specialist SEMH/Autism school
• Develop a trauma-informed, nurturing and ambitious environment
• Lead operational delivery, safeguarding, quality and compliance from the outset
• Recruit, inspire and develop a highly skilled staff team
• Work closely with therapy colleagues to deliver personalised, pupil-centred pathways
• Build strong relationships with parents, carers and local authorities

About You

We’re looking for a leader who brings heart as much as expertise:

• Experienced Headteacher or Deputy Head within SEN, SEMH, specialist or alternative provision
• Deep understanding of trauma-informed practice and behaviour as communication
• Clear knowledge of Ofsted frameworks for specialist settings
• Skilled in budget, resource and change management
• Committed to inclusive education and aspirational outcomes for every pupil
• Qualified teacher (QTS/QTLS) with significant SEN leadership experience

If you want to make a difference where it matters most – and help shape the future of a brand-new school – we would love to hear from you.

Why Join Outcomes First Group?

At Outcomes First Group, every day brings the chance to make a meaningful, lasting difference. In return for your expertise and commitment, we offer outstanding career development and access to a network of exceptional leaders across our organisation.

You will be joining passionate, values-driven colleagues who share your belief in excellence – supported by a collaborative community that empowers you to lead with confidence, innovation, and impact.

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

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, and you’ll start each day knowing your work is making a significant positive difference.

We are committed to 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.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll receive an exceptional reward package, including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• Wellbeing Matters – access to a wide range of mental health support services and physical health checks

Our market-leading benefits platform, Vista, allows you to tailor a package that suits your needs, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance options
• Hundreds of discounts in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support – covering 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.

4DWW will be rolled out within our school when we have a full complement of staff – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join us! 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit.

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.