Headteacher

Overview

How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four? At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first. That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay. Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW — and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG.

Location: Abbey Gardens School, Bury St Edmunds IP32 6SA

Salary: Up to £80,000.00 per annum

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only

Position

As part of our continued growth, we now have a fantastic opportunity for a Headteacher to join our close-knit team at Abbey Gardens School, part of Acorn Education.

As a Headteacher you will promote a relentless focus on high quality, creative learning, delivering our pupils educational needs, maximising pupil achievement, and their ability to develop.

As Headteacher you will have an infrastructure of support from central services for Finance, Resourcing, HR and IT including a network of supportive Headteachers from other schools alongside central school improvement support.

Key objectives

• Outstanding outcomes for students that are a reflection of their needs, abilities and aptitudes.
• A safe environment that protects the welfare of pupils and staff in the school.
• Meeting all statutory requirements as defined by the DfE, Ofsted and other external bodies and achieving the highest inspection ratings possible.
• A motivated staff group that is fully engaged in the goal of achieving excellence in all areas of school life and who are committed to continuing personal and professional development.
• The commercial success of the school as defined by 100% occupancy, the rigorous management of costs and the development and implementation of growth plans as appropriate.
• Effective strategic and operational planning, that includes self-evaluation, school improvement and delivery.
• A shared vision, that fits within the overall Acorn Group strategy, which inspires and motivates students, staff and all other members of the school community.

Essential

• At least three years’ experience as a senior leader in a specialist school for pupils with complex communication needs
• Qualified Teacher Status or Equivalent
• Willingness to extend personal and professional development
• Ability to lead and provide a clear vision
• Appreciation and understanding that leadership and management of school encompasses processes contributing to pupil outcomes, staff motivation, keeping pupils safe, filling the school with pupils, managing costs, meeting regulatory requirements and applying growth plans as appropriate

Desirable

• Completion of NPQH
• Experience of conducting performance management
• Experience of appointing, managing and inducting staff
• Experience of planning the curriculum across a range of ages and abilities

Requirement: UK QTS or equivalent

About Us

Abbey Gardens is an exciting new addition to the Acorn Education family, set to open its doors in March/April 2026. Designed to support students aged 11 to 18, the school will offer a nurturing and inclusive learning environment tailored to meet the diverse needs of its pupils.

As part of Acorn Education, Abbey Gardens will benefit from a strong foundation of expertise in delivering high-quality education and support, helping pupils thrive both academically and personally.

Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education. 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 Acorn Education?

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.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

*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

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