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- Tasks: Lead a new school, shaping vision and culture for student success.
- Company: Outcomes First Group, committed to wellbeing and innovative education.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 4-day work week, competitive salary, and extensive wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives while enjoying a better work/life balance.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience and knowledge of diverse learning needs required.
- Other info: Join a certified Great Place to Work with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 64000 - 96000 £ per year.
Headteacher New Specialist SEMH & Autism School
South West England easily commutable from Bristol, North Somerset, Bath, Cheltenham or Gloucester
Salary: Up to 80,000 per annum (dependent on experience, not pro rata)
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Hours: MondayFriday
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.
Thats 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, youll be part of a culture that values balance just as much as impact.
There has never been a better time to join #teamOFG.
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.
This is a rare chance to:
- 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 Youll 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
Were 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 really proud to say that in 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a Great Place to Work for the sixth year running.
We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, and youll 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 youll receive an exceptional reward package, including:
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
- Your 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 theres never been a more exciting time to join us #teamOFG! 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.
#1
Headteacher (South West England) employer: Outcomes First Group
Contact Detail:
Outcomes First Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Headteacher (South West England)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts 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 theirs. 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. This will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently when it’s time to shine in front of the hiring panel.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Headteacher (South West England)
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 excited you are about shaping a new school and making a difference in students' lives.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience as a Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher. We’re looking for someone who understands the challenges of leading a school, so connect your past roles to the responsibilities of this position.
Be Authentic: Don’t be afraid to show your personality! We value authenticity, so share your unique approach to leadership and how you plan to inspire both staff and pupils in our new setting.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Outcomes First Group
✨Know Your Vision
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on your vision for the new school. Be ready to articulate how you would translate that vision into actionable strategies. This will show the interviewers that you’re not just a leader but a visionary who can inspire others.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past leadership roles that demonstrate your ability to support pupils with diverse needs and improve school performance. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Highlight your experience in building and leading teams. Discuss how you foster collaboration and innovation among staff. This is crucial for creating a positive school culture, so be sure to share any successful initiatives you've led in the past.
✨Understand the 4-Day Working Week
Familiarise yourself with the 4-Day Working Week concept and be prepared to discuss how it can benefit both staff and students. Show that you value work-life balance and understand its importance in maintaining a motivated and effective team.
