At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Headteacher in managing school operations and enhancing pupil achievement.
- Company: Join Hillingdon Manor School, a leader in specialist education for pupils with autism and complex needs.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 4-Day Working Week, life assurance, pension scheme, and extensive wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while enjoying a supportive and innovative work culture.
- Qualifications: Qualified Teacher Status (QTS/QTLS) and experience in middle leadership or teaching required.
- Other info: Opportunity to work in a certified 'Great Place to Work' with ongoing professional development.
The predicted salary is between 49000 - 67000 £ per year.
How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four? Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent). If the trial is a success, we’ll be rolling the 4DWW out across the Group – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join #teamOFG!
Location: Hillingdon Manor School, Uxbridge
Salary: Up to £58,000 per annum
Hours: 38.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Contract: Permanent, Term Time only
Start: September 2025
UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.
We are recruiting an Assistant Headteacher to join our amazing team at Hillingdon Manor School located in Uxbridge. As Assistant Headteacher you will support our Headteacher in school management, delivering our pupils' educational needs, maximising pupils' achievement, and their ability to develop.
About the role:
- As Assistant Headteacher for the Secondary School, you will be responsible for Behaviour and Attitudes for KS3, 4 & 5.
- You will oversee behaviour database analysis, debrief, crisis management and safety interventions, the delivery of relevant training (i.e. Safety Interventions by CPI) whilst promoting neurodivergent affirmative and trauma informed approaches to distress behaviour.
- You will work alongside the two other Assistant Head Teachers cohesively and support the Deputy Head Teachers and Head Teacher to maintain a high standard of Quality of Education, Behaviour Approaches and Specialist Approaches.
Offered on a permanent basis, this role would suit a proactive individual with middle leadership experience to date. Ideally, with SEN experience, however we welcome candidates from other sectors who have a keen interest to transfer their existing skills into the SEN Independent Sector. The successful candidate will need to demonstrate an understanding and acceptance of our Trauma Informed Approaches to supporting Positive Behaviour Management. In-depth training from Lead Clinicians will be provided to support upskilling of knowledge on the job.
Requirements:
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS/QTLS) with NPQ accreditation or willingness to work towards an NPQ course within 12 months of employment start date
- Strong adaptable communication style
- Flexible working approaches
- Adaptable self-management skills of own workload
- Experience in managing an education staff team
- Ability to work to deadlines consistently
- Relevant teaching qualification with proven experience as middle leader or Teacher with lead responsibilities.
- Knowledge of Autism, Specialist Curriculum and SEND Code of Practice
About us:
At Hillingdon Manor, we provide specialist education for 185 pupils, aged between 3.5 and 19. Located across two sites. Our Secondary School supports around 125 pupils. Our pupils are taught in smaller class sizes and all pupils work towards a variety of qualifications dependent on their needs and ability.
For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. 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 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.
Why join Options Autism?
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
And that’s not all, 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 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.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit.
Contact Detail:
Outcomes First Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Headteacher
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of the pupils at Hillingdon Manor School. Understanding the unique challenges faced by students with autism and complex needs will help you demonstrate your commitment to their education during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former staff members at Hillingdon Manor School or within the Outcomes First Group. They can provide valuable insights into the school culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach when discussing your experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how it aligns with trauma-informed approaches. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed behaviour and attitudes in previous roles, as this is a key aspect of the Assistant Headteacher position.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your adaptability and willingness to learn. Highlight any relevant training or professional development you've undertaken, especially related to SEN and neurodiversity, to demonstrate that you're proactive about enhancing your skills for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Headteacher
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in education, particularly any middle leadership roles. Emphasise your qualifications, such as Qualified Teacher Status (QTS/QTLS) and any NPQ accreditation or willingness to pursue it.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for supporting pupils with special educational needs and your understanding of trauma-informed approaches. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your adaptability and communication skills.
Showcase Relevant Experience: Detail your experience in managing an education staff team and any knowledge you have of Autism and the SEND Code of Practice. Use examples to illustrate how you've successfully implemented behaviour management strategies in previous roles.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in an educational leadership role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Outcomes First Group
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of an Assistant Headteacher, especially in relation to Behaviour and Attitudes for KS3, 4 & 5. Familiarise yourself with trauma-informed approaches and how they apply to positive behaviour management.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous leadership roles and how they have equipped you for this position. Highlight any experience managing a team and how you've successfully navigated challenges in an educational setting.
✨Demonstrate Adaptability
Given the flexible working approaches mentioned in the job description, be ready to provide examples of how you've adapted your communication style and workload management in previous roles. This will show your potential employer that you can thrive in a dynamic environment.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the school's approach to special educational needs and how they implement their trauma-informed strategies. This not only shows your interest but also your commitment to understanding the school's ethos and values.