At OFG, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing what makes you happy!
Job Title: Deputy Headteacher
Location: Garden Court School, Carnforth, Lancashire LA6 2DZ
Hours: 40 hours per week | Monday to Friday
Salary: Up to £60,000.00 per annum (depending on expence, not pro rata)
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start: April 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available
About the Role
As Deputy Headteacher, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering a high-quality, inclusive education that reflects both organisational values and regulatory standards. Working in close partnership with the Principal, you will help define the school’s ethos, strategic direction and culture of excellence, ensuring every pupil is supported to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. This is a leadership role requiring vision, integrity and a deep commitment to transforming lives through outstanding education.
Key Responsibilities
- Curriculum & Quality Leadership: Lead and coordinate the development of a broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum, ensuring consistency, high standards and continuous improvement across the school.
- Progress & Outcomes: Monitor pupil achievement and progress rigorously, ensuring personalised targets are met and that each learner’s pathway leads to meaningful success.
- Behaviour & Inclusion: Work collaboratively with the clinical team to oversee Behaviour Support Plans, embedding trauma-informed practice and ensuring plans are regularly reviewed and effective.
- Strategic Leadership: Act as a key member of the senior leadership team, deputising for the Principal where required and contributing to whole-school strategy, policy and improvement planning.
- Personalised Provision: Champion inclusive, person-centred education, ensuring all pupils access tailored learning pathways that reflect their individual strengths and needs.
- Partnership & Community Engagement: Build and sustain strong relationships with parents, carers, external agencies and the wider community to promote positive outcomes for all pupils.
Person Specification
Essential:
- UK Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent and degree-level qualification
- Proven senior leadership experience within a school setting
- Strong expertise in curriculum development, quality assurance and school improvement
- Demonstrable commitment to inclusive education
- Excellent communication, collaboration and leadership skills
Desirable:
- Experience within specialist or SEN settings
- Knowledge of trauma-informed, therapeutic or neurodiversity-affirming approaches
- Experience across Primary and/or Secondary phases
- Flexible, creative and emotionally intelligent leadership style
This is an exceptional opportunity to help build and lead a school where every child is valued, understood and empowered to succeed.
About Us
Garden Court School is a brand-new independent specialist school, opening in June 2026, providing education for up to 40 pupils with SEMH and complex needs. We offer a nurturing, safe, and structured environment where pupils can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Small classes and personalised programmes ensure every pupil receives the support they need to achieve their potential. In partnership with families, we empower young people to build independence, confidence, and essential life skills.
Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people’s lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting 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.
Why Join Us?
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.
- 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
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
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
