Headteacher

Bestwood Village School; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A new specialist independent school in Nottingham is seeking a visionary leader to establish and lead a nurturing environment for autistic pupils aged 7-16. The role includes shaping strategies, fostering a collaborative culture, and ensuring academic and holistic development. Ideal candidates have leadership experience, knowledge of diverse learning needs, and a valid teaching qualification. This position offers significant rewards and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on young lives.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Discount options

Cycle to Work Schemes

Family Growth Support

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience as a Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher.
• Experience supporting pupils with diverse and complex learning needs.
• Strong knowledge of Ofsted frameworks and school improvement practices.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead a new school within the OFG network.
• Translate vision into strategy, inspiring staff and pupils.
• Shape a culture of aspiration, resilience, and growth.

Skills

Leadership

Safeguarding knowledge

Strategic planning

Mentoring

Innovation

Education

Teaching qualification

Job description

Overview

understands specialist education, but embraces it—someone who sees potential where others may see barriers, and who believes every child deserves a chance to flourish.

Within the Outcomes First Group family, you will have the platform to design and innovate. Our approach is grounded in the belief that exceptional education begins with deep understanding: knowing each pupil’s strengths, interests, and aspirations, and shaping a personalised journey that builds confidence, skill, independence, and wellbeing.

You will empower staff to share this mission—establishing a collaborative, reflective culture where every team member is valued and trusted. You will champion both academic ambition and holistic development, ensuring that every learner is nurtured, challenged, and given the tools to thrive within and beyond school life.

This role is ideal for a leader who is energised by opportunity, unafraid of challenge, and committed to creating an inclusive environment where pupils don’t simply attend school—they belong.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking an inspiring and forward-thinking leader who can:

• Establish and lead a new school within the OFG network
• Translate vision into strategy, inspiring staff and pupils to achieve beyond expectations
• Shape a culture of aspiration, resilience and growth
• Recruit, mentor and empower a talented staff team
• Foster innovation, collaboration and shared accountability
• Ensure strong safeguarding, operational excellence and compliance from day one

Essential

• Proven leadership experience as a Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher
• Experience supporting pupils with diverse and complex learning or behavioural needs
• Strong knowledge of Ofsted frameworks and school improvement practices
• Experience managing budgets and school resources
• Relevant teaching qualification

If you are excited by the challenge of building excellence, driving innovation and making a transformational difference—this is your moment. Join us. Lead with purpose. Help us change futures at Bestwood Village School.

About Us

Bestwood Village School is a brand-new, specialist independent school in Bestwood Village, Nottinghamshire, providing a nurturing environment for autistic young people aged 7–16. With capacity for just 30 pupils, we offer a highly personalised approach to learning, ensuring every child receives the attention, support and encouragement they need to thrive.

We are building something special: a place where pupils, staff and families work together to unlock potential, celebrate strengths and inspire ambition.

Together at Bestwood, we ASPIRE to be the best versions of ourselves we can be.

For over 19 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. We are a leading provider of education for neurodivergent young people and young adults. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those 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 Options Autism?

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults 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.

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 get an exceptional reward package including:

• 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
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with 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.

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