At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a new school for pupils with special educational needs.
- Company: Join Acorn Education, the UK's top provider for vulnerable pupils.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible benefits, and mental health support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young lives while shaping a brand new school.
- Qualifications: Must have 3+ years in senior leadership and Qualified Teacher Status.
- Other info: Start date negotiable; school opens September 2025.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Job description
At OFG, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing what makes you happy!
Are you an innovative Headteacher committed to improving the lives of pupils and young people?
Miller House School is a brand new school based in Leicester for pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties. Our new school will have capacity for 80 pupils ages between 11 – 16 years old.
Our school is proposed to open in September 2025, and we are looking for a Headteacher to start with us to support with the set up of the school from March 2025 (negotiable).
This is an exciting opportunity for a Headteacher who wats to lead and develop a new school opening.
Miller House School will be a part of Acorn Education, the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education for vulnerable pupils. 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.
- Up to £75,000 per annum, depending on experience (not pro rata) – and performance related bonus.
- Monday to Friday
- Term Time only
- Permanent
Through your knowledge and passion, you will have a real impact on the lives of pupils and young people. As Headteacher you will provide effective leadership and management of the school that ensures the school meets its aims and objectives and operates within the overall strategy and guidelines of Acorn Education.
About the role
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 of the role, that the Headteacher is expected to achieve:
- Outstanding outcomes for Pupils and Young People that are a reflection of their needs, abilities and aptitudes.
- A safe environment that protects the welfare of Pupils and Young People 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 special educational 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
Why join Acorn Education?
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.
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 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.
Outcomes First Group Headteacher employer: Outcomes First Group
Contact Detail:
Outcomes First Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Outcomes First Group Headteacher
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the specific needs of pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties. Understanding these challenges will help you articulate your vision for Miller House School and demonstrate your commitment to improving their lives.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with other Headteachers and educational leaders in the specialist education sector. Building relationships can provide valuable insights and support as you prepare to lead a new school.
✨Tip Number 3
Research Acorn Education's approach and values thoroughly. Aligning your leadership philosophy with their mission will show that you are a great fit for the organization and its goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience in strategic planning and operational management. Highlighting your ability to manage costs and ensure high occupancy rates will be crucial in demonstrating your readiness for this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Outcomes First Group Headteacher
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and expectations of the Headteacher position at Miller House School. Tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience in leading a specialist school.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasize your experience as a senior leader in a specialist school, particularly with pupils who have special educational needs. Provide specific examples of how you've improved pupil outcomes and managed staff effectively.
Showcase Your Vision: Articulate your vision for the new school in your application. Discuss how you plan to create a safe and motivating environment for both pupils and staff, and how you will ensure high-quality learning experiences.
Personalize Your Cover Letter: Write a compelling cover letter that reflects your passion for education and your commitment to improving the lives of pupils. Make sure to address how your values align with those of Acorn Education and Outcomes First Group.
How to prepare for a job interview at Outcomes First Group
✨Show Your Passion for Education
Make sure to express your genuine passion for improving the lives of pupils and young people. Share specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your commitment to educational excellence and how you've positively impacted students.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how it aligns with the vision of Miller House School. Highlight your experience in managing teams, fostering a motivated staff group, and achieving outstanding outcomes in previous roles.
✨Understand the School's Objectives
Familiarize yourself with the key objectives outlined in the job description. Be ready to discuss how you plan to meet these objectives, such as ensuring a safe environment, meeting statutory requirements, and achieving high inspection ratings.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Anticipate scenario-based questions that may focus on challenges you might face as a Headteacher. Think about how you would handle situations related to pupil welfare, staff management, and strategic planning, and be prepared to share your thought process.