Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic school, inspiring staff and pupils to achieve excellence.
- Company: Outcomes First Group, a leading provider of world-class education.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 4-day work week, competitive salary, and exceptional wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on young lives while enjoying a great work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in education and knowledge of diverse learning needs.
- Other info: Join a certified Great Place to Work with outstanding career opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 95000 £ per year.
Work Smarter. Live Better. Join the 4-Day Working Week!
Headteacher – New Specialist SEN School
Location: South East England — easily commutable within the Thames Valley
Salary:
Up to £95,000 per annum (dependent on experience; not pro rata)
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Hours:
Monday–Friday
Start:
March 2026
UK Applicants Only — this role does not offer sponsorship
Lead a school that transforms lives.
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, giving you 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay*.
Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW, and others will soon join in. Within this school, 4DWW will be rolled out once we have a full complement of staff — so there’s never been a more exciting time to join us
#teamOFG!
So, whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG!
The Opportunity
We are opening a brand-new specialist SEN school for children and young people with complex needs and are seeking an exceptional Headteacher to lead its development. This is an opportunity to create a school with a strong therapeutic ethos, where wellbeing, safety and progress are central to everything we do.
You will have the chance to:
Establish the vision and culture of a new specialist school
Embed therapeutic, trauma-informed practice from day one
Lead and inspire a talented multidisciplinary team
Create an environment where pupils can feel safe, supported and able to succeed
If you are driven by impact and motivated by the opportunity to create something truly meaningful, this role offers the chance to leave a lasting legacy.
What You’ll Do
Provide strategic leadership and clear vision for a specialist SEMH/Autism school
Develop a nurturing, ambitious and trauma-informed environment
Lead operational delivery, safeguarding, quality and compliance
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
Full UK Driving Licence
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?
Outcomes First Group is the UK’s leading provider of specialist education, supporting children and young people with complex needs.
Our schools, including Options Autism and Acorn Education, provide nurturing, inclusive environments where every pupil can thrive. We combine personalised learning, therapeutic support, and small class sizes to empower pupils academically, socially, and emotionally. Joining a new school means helping shape provision from the ground up, creating a culture where staff and pupils flourish together.
If you’re passionate about specialist education, this is your chance to make a real difference every day.
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.
Benefits:
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
*Subject to successful probation. Not a contractual benefit.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
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.
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 .
Apply now to lead a new specialist school and make a lasting difference in pupils’ lives.
#1
Headteacher employer: Outcomes First Group
Contact Detail:
Outcomes First Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Headteacher
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in education, attend local events, and join online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the school and its values. Tailor your responses to show how your vision aligns with their mission. We want to see that you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for the culture!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. The more comfortable you are, the better you’ll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Headteacher
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for education and leadership shine through. We want to see how you can inspire and empower others, so share your vision and experiences that align with our values.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Headteacher role. Highlight your relevant experience and how it connects to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details and can consider you for this exciting opportunity to join #teamOFG.
How to prepare for a job interview at Outcomes First Group
✨Know Your Vision
As a Headteacher, you’ll need to articulate your vision for the school clearly. Think about how you can inspire both staff and pupils. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully implemented a vision in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be ready to discuss your leadership approach. Outcomes First Group values collaboration and innovation, so highlight experiences where you’ve fostered teamwork and supported staff development. Use anecdotes that demonstrate your ability to lead by example.
✨Understand the Community
Research the school’s community and its unique challenges. Be prepared to discuss how you would engage with parents and local stakeholders to create a supportive environment for pupils. This shows you’re not just focused on academics but also on the wellbeing of the entire school community.
✨Prepare for Ofsted Questions
Since knowledge of Ofsted inspections is essential, brush up on the latest frameworks and be ready to discuss how you would ensure compliance and drive school improvement. Share past experiences where you’ve successfully navigated inspections or improved standards.
