Headteacher

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).

4DWW will be rolled out within our school, when we have a full complement of staff, and within the next year – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join us #teamOFG!

Job title:      Headteacher

Location:     Smallbrook School, Shrewsbury

Salary:       Upto £75,000.00 depending on experience 

Hours:       37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday 

Contract:     Permanent, Term Time only

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, we’re looking for an experienced Headteacher to join Outcomes First Group.

About us

Smallbrook School is currently increasing capacity from 50 students to 80 and having a large investment in our school site developing KS2 and sixth form provision. We are a co-educational day school catering for pupils aged 7-18 with a range of complex needs including a range of social, emotional and mental health needs and also pupils who have been diagnosed with autism or demonstrate behaviours associated with autism.

You will contribute to making Smallbrook School an outstanding provision for our young people and their families. We provide a therapeutic, supportive and inclusive learning environment and are committed to raising achievement and enabling pupils to recognise their potential and supporting them through a personalised, engaging curriculum. Our priority is to develop the foundation knowledge and skills required to make a manageable and smooth transition to the next life stage.

Our School is based halfway between Shrewsbury and Wem in Shropshire.

We are part of Acorn Education and can promise you plenty of challenges, and a rich variety of opportunities to develop your career.

We provide Education and Care across a number of schools and residential homes nationally. Our specialist SEN provision, coupled with our expertise within residential care means we offer thousands of vulnerable pupils across the UK a holistic, wraparound care, residential and education service, empowering them with everything they need to flourish.

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.

About the Role

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. 

The successful candidate will utilise their personal expertise, experience and contacts to ensure development and implementation of the strategy. The post holder will ensure appropriate standards are maintained in the educational programmes. This will be achieved by working collaboratively with senior professional colleagues to ensure services are structured, staffed, trained and operated to deliver high quality, individually tailored programmes to meet the needs of each young person.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for someone who has had extensive and successful experience as a senior leader within a pupils’ environment, preferably within an educational setting. This must include experience within the specialist area of working with pupils with SEMH and/or challenging behaviour. You should have a positive work ethic and be able to work effectively to produce an effective leadership team.

You should have an extensive knowledge surrounding safeguarding of pupils, as you will be ensuring that Senior Leaders are implementing safeguarding correctly. We want someone who places a focus on the positive outcomes of our pupils and adults and takes responsibility for helping improve the lives of our pupils.

 Essential Criteria

• At least three years’ experience as a senior leader in either mainstream or special educational needs schools.
• 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.
• Driving licence

About the Group

Outcomes First Group is the leading provider of specialist education in the UK. We exist to give neurodivergent pupils and young people access to a great education that caters to their specific needs, abilities and aspirations.

Together, we educate, care for and support pupils, young people, and adults across the UK, empowering them to be happy and make their way in the world.

We welcome staff who share our commitment to help pupils experience better days and better lives. Through ongoing development and training, we ensure our staff are well prepared for their jobs and given every opportunity to extend their skills.

Acorn Education and Options Autism are part of the Outcomes First Group.

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.

*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.

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